President’s message
First and foremost I would like to thank the NSW/ACT Chapter Committee. Not only do these industry professionals meet quarterly, they contribute articles to newsletters and magazines, they host SIGs and webinars and are all currently mentors for the Educate Plus Mentoring program.
Our meetings are vibrant affairs, a melting pot of ideas, and passion—I am astounded not only by the committee’s commitment to our industry but their willingness to share their wisdom so selflessly so that we may all, as members of Educate Plus, benefit.
This is the true meaning of selfless volunteerism and I am proud to be a part of it. So: Lyn O’Neill thank you for keeping our budget shipshape, Jackie thank you for your exemplary minute-taking and efficiency collating our Chapter newsletters. Paul, Kelly, Yvette, Geoff, Lyn, Grant, Philippa, Hannah, Dionne and Sandy, a heartfelt thank you to you all for your humour and contributions in 2020.
Before we build a bridge over the troubled waters of 2020, reach for another GnT and try to get over it, we actually have much to celebrate.
We delivered 11 professional development events this year (more than any other Chapter)—three were face to face and eight were virtual. A staggering 905 members registered for our events. I just want to thank a few non-committee members—Jo Hutchens, Jackie Garment and Mandy Treweeke—for their contributions to a couple of lively SIG panels this year at which I discovered a new passion for channelling my inner Michael Parkinson, whilst interviewing you all.
I’d like to reiterate how significant a number 905 registrations is. This is far greater than any Chapter or International Conference registration number. This unprecedented engagement resulted in a membership growth for the NSW/ACT Chapter of 14% in 2020.
Furthermore, our NSW/ACT Chapter members make up 33% of active mentoring partnerships for the Educate Plus Mentoring program.
NSW/ACT Chapter, I salute you—because despite the instability of 2020 we have delivered value and successfully engaged our members more than ever before.
But, this is of course, a massive team effort. My thanks go to our comrades in the Head Office: Tina, Sheila and Michelle. Without you, none of this is possible. I am personally grateful for all the support you afforded me this year, your unwavering professionalism and can-do attitudes. Thank you.
Neil our CEO, for steering the ship through a year like no other. Your passion and commitment is a beacon for all our members. Thank you.
Our Platinum Sponsors that keep us afloat so that we may deliver on our ideas: Synergetic, Enquiry Tracker, Digistorm, Potentiality, Firefly, Fast Proof Press and The Mentor Evolution. Thank you.
My final thank you is to Paul McShane who is stepping down from the committee today.
Paul’s involvement with EP goes as far back as the 1990s when he was the Director of External Relations and Development at the University of Western Sydney and attended ADAPE events.
Paul started at Chevalier College in 2012 just as we were transforming from ADAPE to Educate Plus. He has presented and chaired at conferences over the years and also hosted an EP regional event at Chevalier in 2019.
Paul and I remember sharing our nerves as we waited to deliver our individual TEDx-style talks, at the International Conference on the Gold Coast in 2016. It was the first year this was trialled and we are pleased it is now a regular feature of the International Conference – we must have done ok as guinea pigs!
Paul was deservedly awarded a Fellow at the Auckland Conference in 2018. Paul is sorry he cannot be here today but wrote us a message…
I have very much valued my time on the committee as a regional representative and then for the past few years as Vice-President. I am looking forward to seeing my Educate Plus colleagues IN PERSON in 2021 and congratulations to the NSW Committee and to Neil and all the Educate Plus staff on the work they do on behalf of our sector, and I assure you and the new committee of my continuing support.
The Educate Plus Board of Directors has also had a productive year: we have established four strategic objectives, which will be central to navigating our organisation to even greater sustainability and engagement in the future.
In closing, as we drop the anchor on 2020 I wish you all a peaceful break, rest, breathe and fill your sails with all the festive cheer you can muster!
Myfanwy Stanfield
NSW/ACT Chapter President
