Great Things Are on the Horizon!
When I was first elected as IPA's President in April 2020, I found myself in a very unique position as opposed to other first time presidents. It was the beginning of the pandemic and we were dealing with the lockdown and COVID-19 restrictions. We had to figure out how to pivot from our usually active schedule of in-person networking and educational events to exclusively virtual and figuring the types of events we could do to keep everyone connected was extremely challenging.
During my second term in 2021, we were able to bring our members some hybrid events which allowed us to meet in smaller numbers, but still have the livestream connection for those who were unable to attend in person. We learned a lot during 2020 and importance of technology to keep our members connected across the state, so we decided to launch our new member engagement platform called IPA Connect. This user-friendly platform gives us the ability to have our board meetings, section meetings and message boards all in one place that members can access from their computer, tablet and even an app for your cellphone.
The summer of 2022 we were able to bring our members the 50th Anniversary Boat Cruise and although it was quite an undertaking to get back in the groove of organizing a large event, it was a signal that we were finally on the other side of the pandemic and it was amazing to be able to finally network with people in-person!
I was honored to once again be nominated and elected as IPA President for another term at the Board of Directors Meeting this past April and I am looking forward to getting back to "IPA Normal". We have formed a new committee who is meeting this week to brainstorm new and exciting networking events and educational opportunities for the upcoming year and I foresee some great events which will allow IPA members in-person versus on a small screen. I hope you will join us at these events!
As the face of the IPA, I always am given credit for the amazing strides and great events put on by the IPA. The truth is there are many volunteers who sit on Committees or Chair/Co-Chair various sections to make everything possible and we couldn't do it without them. These volunteers are appointed by me to fill one year terms and report to the IPA's Vice President. The following IPA member volunteers have been appointed for 2023-2024:
If you are interested in serving on any of these Committees, serving as a Co-Chair of any of these Sections, or you would like to start a new Committee or Section, please email me.
Sincerely,
Melissa Jurik, ILAP
IPA President