News

Hello Region 1:

We find ourselves in unprecedented times, and 2020 will be forever etched in our memory.  As you are all aware, IRWA has had to make difficult decisions to cancel in person meetings, 2020 IRWA Education Conference, seminars, and courses to help reduce the spread of this deadly virus.

A Spring Forum scheduled in Fresno, California on March 21, 2020, hosted by Chapter 50 was cancelled, and instead we held a video WebEx meeting.  The purpose of our meeting was to review and discuss only essential topics necessary.  The following is a summary of our meeting:

Region Officer Nominations / Elections – Congratulations to Region 1 2020/2021 Region 1 Officers:

    • Region 1 Secretary is Conner McDonald, SR/WA
    • Region 1 Vice Chair is Ray Mehler, SR/WA
    • Region 1 Chair is Mike Flanagan, SR/WA

 

  • Region Awards – We had several outstanding candidates nominated for 2019/2020 Region 1 Professional of the Year and Young Professional of the Year.  Congratulations to this year’s award winners:
    • Nick von Gymnich, SR/WA, Chapter 11
    • Alexi Dicker, Chapter 2
  • Governance Update – A Governance Task Force was put in place to review the Association Governance Project and offer recommendations to improve the governance of the Association.  After many months of meetings and collaboration, the GTF outlined a report, and submitted to the Governing Council (IGC) recommendations to improve the governance of the Association.  The report was disseminated to the Association membership for feedback.  A workshop was convened with the IGC to plan next steps toward building leader capacity, strengthening accountability and fostering transparency.  The IGC unanimously approved 5 motions, outlined in the attached International Leadership Workshop and Resulting IGC Actions, February 2020.  The GTF Workshop Memo is available under the News tab.
  • The fiscal year 2020/2021 budget recap review covered the key items in our budget that we need to keep in mind.  The Budget Memo prepared by James Olschewski, SR/WA, IEC Treasurer, gives historical analysis that helps provides context to the 2020/2021 budget, and recommends the approval of the budget by the Board of Directors. The budget memo can be viewed by going to the News tab.

We also had a discussion regarding a Chapter assessment to fund R1 Secretary/Treasurer travel to Forums and annual IRWA Education Conference.  IRWA Regions across the US and Canada have implemented assessments to assist Regions provide travel funds varying in the amount of assessment.  Region 1 Secretary / Treasurer provides invaluable assistance to the Region Chair and Vice Chair, attending Chapter meetings, setting up calls as required, capturing minutes of meetings, tracking Region financials, assisting in Region initiatives, attending annual Region Forums and Education Conference are a few of the responsibilities.  At this time, the Secretary/Treasurer does not have any travel funds, travel resources are provided by employer and/or Chapter support.  We would like to offset these expenses by creating an assessment to Chapters to be paid annually.  This assessment would be paid at the time Chapter receive membership checks from HQ – in this way, each Chapter would know their membership total.

  • Education, Membership Drive, & Chapter Incentive Program – If any Chapter has scheduled a course and needs to cancel, please contact HQ to discuss the process of cancelling a course or transitioning to an online course if possible.  If your community / venue allows a hold a course to be held, with the social distancing mandate, each Chapter should contact the Instructor and participants to find out if they are willing to attend course.
  • Mike Flanagan shared that the IGC approved all candidates for SR/WA designation would be allowed to take the SR/WA study session and test under the previous standards. Candidates would no longer be required to take the “new” version of the SR/WA exam.
  • IRWA HQ is working to insure that no member loses their designation candidacy due to the cancellation of courses.  HQ will be reviewing implications brought on by the COVID-19 and the State Mandate as it relates to education, membership and CHiP Program, etc.

Lastly, Region 1 has a new website that we have launched, check out the website and please send us your comments and/or suggestions.  We are still loading new content and will continue to improve it with your help.  irwaregion1.org.

Stay safe.  Stay well.

Yoli Matranga, SR/WA
Region 1 Chair