IEMA's CEO, Tim Balcon, describes the steps the Institute will be taking in 2014 to meet its Vision 2020 strategy and improve member services
Last year was about listening to our members, finding out what they want from IEMA and then developing a strategy for the Institute to the end of the decade. 2014 is about starting to deliver that strategy – Vision 2020.
This year will see IEMA improve its services and begin the process of becoming more widely recognised. We will be providing a more proactive voice on a wider range of topics, with the aim of further raising the profile of the environment profession.
Central to improvements to the member experience is an enhanced structure for delivering, recording and recognising all continuing professional development activities carried out by members at every level. This facility is in the early stages of development and members will be kept updated on its progress throughout the year.
The member consultation that took place in 2013 also set the precedent for future growth and influence. Members told us that they want IEMA to extend its global reach in terms of membership and profile. Getting that kind of ambitious direction from members has been pivotal in the formation of our new guiding vision. It’s a big task, but one we relish.
2014 will see us develop a plan on how best to recruit more members from inside and outside the UK, and increase the Institute’s global influence. This will involve working with policymakers, industry leaders and employers around the globe to ensure they are not only employing IEMA members, but that they are empowering practitioners to do their best work and are actively recognising the fantastic contribution environment professionals make.
It will take time to fully realise the scale of ambition set by members, but the gradual changes being introduced this year provide the foundations for IEMA to achieve its long-term goals.
In the next 12 months, all members can expect an increase in the number of face-to-face and online events – over 250 this year – that will not only aid learning and development, but also strengthen IEMA’s sense of community. These were two factors that members said were of vital importance throughout the consultation.
The number of opportunities to receive useful updates about your membership, the latest environmental news, job opportunities and developments in policy and regulation will also increase in 2014. The IEMA newsroom – which reaches across the Institute’s website, Twitter feed, LinkedIn groups, RSS feeds and occasional direct emails – now means members can receive daily updates from a selection (or all) of these key communication channels based on their preferences.
Members are also invited to share their own news and successes through Twitter and LinkedIn to further support the IEMA community.
Vision 2020 is about IEMA supporting its engaged, ambitious and tenacious members. We’ve taken your guidance and we’re now ready to run with our plan. This is the place to be, and you’re going to see your contributions returned many times over.
