Farewell from the Chair – Donna Marshall

I have had the privilege of being the Chair of IAP2 Australasia for the past two years and on the Board of Directors for the past four. Over that time, the organisation has certainly gone through a period of rapid, intensive and very positive change.

When I look back on where we have come from, I am extremely proud of what has been achieved. I can now see an IAP2 that is meeting the expectations of our members across a range of areas, with a plan to continue on this path.

Some of the things I am most proud of include:

• a much closer relationship with IAP2 International, and the exciting new world order that will soon unfold from the international change project currently under way
• the Local Network program revamp, and the greater value this is providing to our members (a big thank you to our Local Network coordinators for their energy and effort in making these events so engaging)
• the increase in engagement from our members in our Core Values Awards, the NZ Symposium and the Australian Conference, which have all experienced year on year growth
• implementation of our first ever participatory budgeting project – Pitch for the Practice -with five individual projects being selected by members for funding.

These are the “shiny” things that I take great pride in seeing enhance IAP2 Australasia’s value to members. Behind the scenes however, not so shiny but extremely important, have been the tremendous improvements in our organisation’s governance, management processes, policies and standards. For most members this work has been largely invisible, but it has been integral to the better organisation we have become and will continue to evolve into.

As I step down as Chair of IAP2 Australasia and from the Board to focus a little more on my day job and family, I feel confident the organisation is in great shape. I hope to continue to be an active member of the organisation and I strongly encourage the same from all of our members. IAP2 is your organisation, so get involved and be part of its journey.

I see exciting times ahead, as we become part of a truly international association and as the 2020 Board and management team forge ahead with our ambitious strategic plan focused on advocating for the practice, strengthening engagement networks and advancing professional development.

I would like to thank my fellow Directors for their support over the last two years. I would also like to extend my thanks to our fabulous management team, led by CEO Marion Short and our CFO Nunzio Giunta.