Spring has sprung! All the sporting finals are surging to their championship cups, the temperature and stretch of daylight promises us the summer we’ve all be waiting for. And, it is almost the end of September, so our anticipation for the upcoming IFHIMA/ HIMAA combined congress is beginning to shift up a gear or two. Our recent Conference Committee meeting was firing on all cylinders as our final preparations begin to coalesce around our inspiring conference with our IFHIMA colleagues. I can’t sing praises enough for all our Conference Committee members; their knowledge and passion is palpable. We are so looking forward to the presentations, posters, sponsors booths, meeting old friends and making new ones and coming together in this shared HIM haven (and heaven!) for just a few days to recharge our post-winter blues. I’m looking forward to the rejuvenating energy which I always leave with, resulting from the meeting of like minds, spirits and HIM dance moves. I look forward to welcoming you all to Brisbane.
Our September Board meeting was, as always, engaging, informative and progressive. Our Agenda covered a wide range of topics, review of key strategic documents, policies and procedures, with reflection on our current state and forecasting for our upcoming year, 2024. Our Financial Audit for 2023 has also just been finalised and we are working through the final stages of endorsement; overall, we’ve had a very successful financial year. A complete refresh of our risk register has crystallised our focus on current and emerging risks as a Board and as an Association, AI and Cybersecurity being amongst these. This latter is an area of growing interest for all Boards and organisations, so it will be part of our many future conversations, discussions and planning, going forward.
If you missed our Board Webinar during August HIM week, check out our Committee Structure and RoadMap of work for the Board and the CEO, by logging into the Members Portal of the HIMAA webpage and navigating to HIMAA Member Documents.
If you are unable to attend our Congress, this year, and you are not formally studying at present one way of sustaining your professional development would be refer to our Professional Credentialling Scheme (PCS) section of the Members Portal. Sallyanne, Jenny and Pat have recently refreshed and relaunched this tool to provide members with an easy way to keep track of their PCS, where HIMAA website registrations automatically upload associated PCD points to your total. There are so many ways to engage on your life-long learning journey. Update your credentials and surprise yourself with how much you do and know and how engaged you are in your profession. Be proud of your post-nominals!
Who will be our next Chief Executive Officer? At this stage, we do not have the answer. What I can say is we’ve had a large interest expressed in this key HIMAA position. Our recruitment process continues apace, and the Board will certainly keep everyone informed with updates. In addition, another recruitment campaign was recently launched on 15th September for the replacement of another long-standing, not-so-easy-to-replace member of HIMAA, Lyn Williams, our Director, Education Services. If this is the career direction you have in mind, I recommend you to our Website and the Work Web for all the details. You’ll have to be quick, as this one closes on 1st October 2023. These are golden career opportunities and the Board remains committed to getting the best candidate for the ongoing success of our organisation and the benefits this will bring to our team and members.
Wherever you work and whatever your responsibilities, keep the joy in your HIM profession! It’s a fantastic profession to be part of.
Catherine Garvey
President
