As we move into 2020 we begin work on the last stage of the implementation of the ONE ITE restructuring plan. In 2019 the International Board of Direction approved new charters and bylaws for all ITE Districts, created a new Mountain District, and transitioned approximately 370 former Section affiliates to full ITE membership. This year the realignment of the Great Lakes District will be completed, and the Missouri Valley Section will be elevated to a District. The Florida Puerto Rico District will restructure; 16 chapters will be elevated to Sections; we will transition Chapter Affiliates to full ITE membership; and all Sections and Chapters will complete new charters and bylaws. That is a lot of change in a relatively short period of time, and it has involved a tremendous amount of work by ITE leadership at all levels of the organization.
While there are direct benefits of these changes—more leadership opportunities, better geographic alignment of states and sections with like interests, etc.—the more significant benefits will come from “Being ONE ITE.” That is, working together across the International, District, and Section/Chapter boundaries to provide a more efficient, effective, and consistent member experience.
By the end of 2020 we will have a fully harmonized organization, with all entities operating on the same calendar, using consistent election procedures, following consistent charters and bylaws, having all Sections fully represented on District Boards, and using a single definition of what it means to be an ITE member.
We are already seeing benefits. Quarterly webinars led by ITE staff are providing regular interaction between District, Section, and Chapter (D-S-C) leadership and ITE staff on a host of issues, including onboarding new D-S-C leadership, contracting for meetings, maintaining IT security, and improving ITE websites. A new D-S-C reserve fund investment portfolio has been established in addition to the existing D-S-C scholarship investment portfolio to give D-S-C better investment options. The 2020 ITE Awards program has been realigned to better connect nominations from the District and Section levels into the International Awards selection process. We have integrated ITE Leadership presence into the District Annual Meetings to ensure we consistently hear from members at the grassroots level. The ITE Coordinating Council is leading sessions at each District Meeting to better understand member interests and needs on emerging technical topics.
As we work more collaboratively and think about our shared successes, we can ensure that all members are deriving benefits at the International, District, and Section/Chapter levels, even if their participation is primarily at the local level.
Change is hard, but change is also necessary if an organization is to thrive and grow. ITE is thriving and growing. In 2019 we had our largest annual meeting in more than 15 years, and at the start of 2020 our membership exceeded 16,000 for the first time in a decade. Through our Institute Initiatives, we are positioned on the leading edge of our profession, and our volunteers and technical staff are consistently delivering products that tackle emerging issues. As we celebrate our 90th anniversary year, we should be proud of our past, but equally excited about what the future will bring to ITE. As always, reach out to me at jpaniati@ite.org or on Twitter, @JeffPaniatiITE.
This blog post is from the Director's Message in the January 2020 issue of ITE Journal.