November means Thanksgiving in the United States. Regardless of where you are, it reminds us there's always something to be grateful for ...
The pandemic has made life much more challenging over the past year and a half, for everyone. I know that I have complained, more than once, about having to wear a mask, zoom fatigue, or about an event that was cancelled. In truth, those inconveniences have been a small price to pay to keep everyone, including my family, friends and colleagues healthy. Now, November has come along to remind me to give thanks for the silver linings that have come along with the pandemic clouds.
I am grateful for advances of technology that allowed us to continue to serve our members with conferences with content that is just as important and relevant as always. Through virtual conferences and forums, members have been able to maintain important connections and share knowledge across the globe. We've been able to engage with many of our long-standing members - and the virtual access has allowed many new faces join us too. While virtual networking is not a replacement for gathering together with others, I am grateful that you have been flexible and game to keep working with us as we improved the experience along the way.
I am grateful for the amazing team at CASSS. So many employers are struggling to find top talent and we are fully staffed, with a helpful and professional team. On top of the usual issues that rear their head in the course of the conference planning cycle, our dedicated team has learned a whole set of skills to be able to implement on-line conferences that run just as professionally as the in-person kind. The knowledge-sharing and resources we have provided to our members, while also working behind the scenes to upgrade our systems (like the new website), is impressive and makes me proud.
I am grateful to have such a supportive Board of Directors. Our Board provides me with continual guidance. They have been an incredible sounding board through uncertain and stressful times for CASSS - while navigating a time of extraordinary pressures and overload in their "day jobs". I appreciate their time, wisdom and mentorship.
I am especially grateful to our Members. I have always been grateful to play a supporting role through CASSS in the life-saving work that you do. And this past year the benefit of the collective, iterative learning that moved the industry forward has never been more clear. Thank you for trusting CASSS as your community for lifelong learning and networking. We value and appreciate you!