A Year in Review…
As we near the end of a traumatic year for so many I would like to send all CIB members the compliments of the season and happy holidays. In doing so it feels appropriate to give you an update on our “re-energising strategy” which has made good progress in 2020 despite the challenges we have all faced and leaves us in good shape for the year to come. When I became President at the Hong Kong World Building Congress in June 2019, I set out what I saw as our three key priorities:
- Establishing a strong and effective CIB member service team based in Ottawa, Canada
- Clear recognition that the core value of quality, globally collaborative research is at the heart of the CIB
- Renewed focus on building membership.
On the first priority I have been delighted with how Don Ward has settled into the CEO role and Michael, Debbie and Joanne complete the “strong and effective team” as targeted. We have a new website with more to come, a new newsletter and marketing collateral, and new IT and finance systems, and the positive ‘service’ attitude has been remarked on by many. Thank you, and keep it up team!
On the second priority, Kalle Kähkönen and Michael Behm have led much progress, communication is much more positive and new initiatives in hand include a new global network for “Early Career Researchers” and a number of Commissions held webinars, often addressing the challenges presented by the pandemic, which have been excellent with many hundreds of people able to attend. A number of our most active Student Chapters have held excellent events, and we have had our first joint consultative sessions of the Board with them and with Coordinators. A special welcome to several new Coordinators who have stepped up to lead their Task Groups or Commissions, and I hope you will lead the way in delivering value not only for your fellow Commission and Task Group researchers but more widely for Members, Student Chapters, and Early Career Researchers. And I hope you have enjoyed the first editions of CIB in Conversation.
On the third priority, the Covid-19 global pandemic presented us all with challenges, and CIB was no exception, we unfortunately suffered a number of resignations, leaving us with reduced numbers as we enter 2021. Our response has been to consolidate and ensure we improve the value proposition for existing members. I hope you agree we have been able to do this, and as we emerge from the worst of the pandemic we have kept membership subscriptions at the same rates and we are well placed to re-grow. A special request for 2021 invoicing to be paid promptly please, we have spent a lot of secretariat time chasing debt this year, and everyone would prefer to see this time spent on delivering value-adding services for you, our members. Help us to help you please.
Finally, planning for World Building Congress 2022 is well underway, and I am so grateful to Ron Wakefield of RMIT for leading this. The agreement is in place, the budget is agreed, and the Scientific Committee has had its second meeting by the time you read this. We have no crystal ball about how easy global travel will be in June 2022, so we are planning for a hybrid event of face-to-face and online participation, so please diairise the dates now, we have had some great suggestions for content and session in partnership with other organisations, and remain open to ideas please. I am particularly keen to see the highest participation from students and early career researchers.
For now It remains for me to wish you the compliments of the season, for those celebrating Christmas or other religious festivals I hope you enjoy some relaxing and enjoyable time with your families and loved ones. I look forward to working together for further success in 2021.
Keith Hampson
CIB President
