Life is filled with chapters. As I watch the U.S. election returns, I think of how amazing we are as a country because of what we stand for: democracy. I am also reminded that life is full of benchmarks, or chapters. What defines the benchmark is where you are in your life. It could be the first time you mastered making a biscuit without destroying the kitchen when you were a kid, the first time you drove a car, or the first time you held your newborn child. Life is absolutely relative to time, but the meaning of who we are as a people and what we can do as a collective is always stunning and never relative.
We kick off a new chapter in ASPE growth with the exciting advancement of ASPE Pipeline. This is exciting because of what it means: the growth and prosperity of ASPE as a collective. We have the opportunity to offer more because we have adapted more in these last few years than we ever have. The doors to the digital world have opened, and we have stepped though them with both feet. I suspect that many members have noticed the improvements in the ASPE member experience. We have advanced the experience with ASPE Connect, the new ASPE.org, and ASPE Education. We have stepped into the modern world. These upgrades have improved our interaction with our members.
What does the ASPE Pipeline experience offer our members? It offers opportunity. It is a huge opportunity for our members to provide their collective knowledge. I believe young and old have much to offer. We have much experience across the board. Stay tuned for more information.
ASPE has seen much success in the online world! We had the best-attended Business Meeting in recent history in 2020. It was a big lift by so many, and I would like to say thanks to each of you for such a great effort. We also are expanding our wings and providing technical education and an online expo for you all at the 2020 ASPE Digital Experience. Go to expo.aspe.org to register and be part of this event. We are expecting huge attendance. ASPE Chapters: this is a great opportunity to have a membership offering. You will likely never get such easy access to education again!
Our mission is to improve ASPE with a series of benchmarks. I, for one, love to see the growth of ASPE. Some growth has been forced due to the pandemic, but it is exciting nonetheless. We have grown our abilities and will continue to innovate ASPE. Your Board of Directors is dedicated.
We are at the time of year when we start to expand, redefine, and evolve ASPE committees. We soon will be sending out our call for members for the following committees: Bylaws, Credentialing, Education, Legislative, Long-Range Planning, Membership, Nominating, and Technical & Research. You can find a description of all of these committees at aspe.org/membership-global-community/committees. Filling our committees with more members will continue to strengthen ASPE. I believe the success of these committees lies squarely with the passion and talents of our members.
Someone pretty great said that ASPE is a team effort. Let’s all work together and continue to build ASPE. We will continue to tackle the big tasks for you. Please provide ideas and your time. Let’s learn from each other.
We are here for each and every one of you. Let’s be smarter and more efficient and work on impact. I am here to strengthen ASPE. We are One ASPE! We change people’s lives. We provide members with the tools to do their jobs.
It is my deep honor to serve you.
