Four years ago, Karl Palachuk, Dave Sobel and I were talking about the need for this organization. Those were heady times. We reached out to existing organizations, but they weren’t interested. They had agendas that didn’t include professionalizing the IT industry, bringing accreditation, enforcing ethics, creating standards and holding each other accountable. Nor did they want to us have a seat at the table with legislators and other regulators when we were being talked about. Dave bowed out due to his need for independence as a journalist. Erick Simpson came in and joined the pre-formation Board. I distinctly remember saying that this organization should exist but that I was not the one to create it. I was incredibly busy with my MSP at the time. Karl jumped into action and I agreed to lead the Board. A few months later the NSITSP was born with a slate of freshly ambitious individuals ready to take on the world with Karl as executive director and I as Board president. Three more years have passed and today we have a real professional organization.
Karl stepped down last year, was replaced by an administrative firm and executive director, and moved into an advisory role and regular member. Now it’s my turn. During this election cycle you won’t see my name on the ballot.
A lot has been accomplished. The organization exists for one. We have about 300 paying members, many of whom are IT companies rather than individuals now and the trend is strongly in that direction. We have a grassroots style organization, which I was strongly emphatic about. This organizational structure puts the power of the organization into the hands of the committees and makes the organization do the bidding of its members. Those committees at present are: legislation, governance, marketing, professional development, and finance. We have taskforces in AI and a newly forming communications one too. At least two webinars a month are being held to bring education to the membership. A program is launching to guide members through introducing themselves to their state government officials and making themselves the go-to expert. We have an ethics statement, mission, vision, values and a strategic plan is in process. The volunteers in each of those area made the dream happen. They are incredible leaders in their own right and doing amazing work. I’ve been happy to just help to start the wheel spinning and then watch it go.
One of things that had to be done to bring the organization to life was to create the rules under which it would operate and one of the tenants we settled upon were term limits. An organization can only thrive if it is full of new ideas, new energy, and new people, on a frequent basis. While technically I could run again, the spirit of the term limits say that I should not and I have given what I have to give. I have served three years and that is plenty. It’s time for new energy to take what is here and make it huge. The foundation is set. The growth is happening. There’s a clear direction.
This election cycle will hand over the reins and I hope that a completely new person will step up from the membership to continue to gently guide the organization and support the committees in the direction that the members wish them to go.
Getting elected to the Board of Directors is a simple process. You can file until the end of August. Elections – National Society of IT Service Providers (nsitsp.org) Do it now, the rest of this article isn’t as important.
If you aren’t ready for the Board, that’s OK too. We have lots of openings. All you need is willingness to serve and a paid membership.
- Board of Directors: 4 slots open
- Finance Committee: 6 slots open
- Governance Committee: 4 slots open
- Legislative Committee: 4 slots open
- Marketing Committee: 5 slots open
- Professional Development Committee: 7 slots open
In order for the momentum to continue we really do need your expertise. If its not you but you know someone, then invite them to join us and help the cause. Many of our committees have been filled this way. Because we are young and small, recruitment from the outside as well as existing members both need to happen. Won’t you join us and help change the IT services world?