We’re making some changes to how we run our conferences so that they’re more economically viable. Financial prudence, resource stewardship and risk management are key principles the Board applies in its decision-making.
One of the key focus areas of the current IAF Board is strong finances, broken down into three areas:
Congratulations to Hector Villarreal who has been appointed the new IAF Director of Conferences!
Ever thought about becoming an IAF board member? Well, now’s the time - in a few weeks’ time, we’ll be asking for nominations for the positions up for election:
In early May, a few IAF members traveled to Vienna to present the association (and the power of facilitation in general) to a conference of global association executives, with a focus on the IAF’s membership engagement strategy. The recent development a more internationally accessible fee structure and work to increase the availability of IAF certifications and communications in other languages were recognised with a success story.
Mark your calendars! International Facilitation Week (IFW) is not too far off. It’s time for us to start thinking about how we can showcase the power of facilitation to unleash group creativity. How can we generate better solutions, effect sustainable change and bring about a whole lot of other great outcomes?
Together with the International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®), the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) is opening the door for business analysis professionals to bring their facilitation skills to the next level. IIBA and IAF have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) committing to collaborating and supporting the advancement and recognition of each other’s organizations in their respective fields.
IAF and IIBA will co-jointly work on the following:
By Rebecca Ejo Colwell, CEO of Ten Directions
Recently I facilitated a group of 22 leaders that was about to begin a major transformative process. A newly configured team, they were coming together via a recent integration of three different organisations to collaborate on an organisational renewal strategy to move into the next era.
Often we are asked as facilitators to convene and facilitate difficult conversations. It might be a team in conflict, a programme facing funding cuts, a tough decision on future directions, a problem diagnosis session - the list goes on.
Our job is to help groups through theses increasingly difficult and divisive times. We facilitate respectful dialogues that result in positive change.
We are delighted to announce our new concept to connect and grow with like-minded facilitators: IAF-hosted Special Interest Groups (SIGs). While chapters enable connecting with other facilitators in the same geographical area, SIGs bring together facilitators globally with a joint special interest. The first one is already active for Facilitation in Portuguese. Interested in founding the next Special Interest Group? Contact the IAF Director of Memberships, memberships@iaf-world.org.
Following up on the topic of March's Global Flipchart we organised a virtual panel on the 'business of facilitation' on 20 March.
A huge thank you to our speakers Michelle Golden, Malin Morén, Rebecca Sutherns and Michael Wilkinson for sharing their experience and tips.
Books recommended during the session:
The IAF is solvent with cash and reserves in excess of US$165,000.
Financially, 2016 was a challenging year for the association. Total income before expenses for the year was US$469,972.15. Expenses after adjustments were $528,125.86, resulting in a net deficit of $58,153.71.
This deficit is the result of several factors that include: