It’s the start of a new membership year for the ITI French Network, a year in which we celebrate 40 years of the ITI and 38 years of the ITI French Network. If you’ve only just joined, welcome to the ITI French Network! And if you’ve renewed your membership, welcome back. It’s a pleasure to have you all here in our little corner of the ITI-verse, whether you’re an ITI member or not.
As I’m writing this, EX:CHANGE has just kicked off in Milton Keynes. I’m disappointed I couldn’t attend but wish all French Network members attending a very fruitful conference!
The ITI French Network committee has had a busy few months, revising the documents that govern how our network is run and set out expectations for member conduct. In case you missed the email about the updated Bylaws, new Member Agreement and other revised documents, make sure you check back and have a look. (You can also find the documents on the ITI French Network website and Groups.io.)
Our aim in this new membership year, as before, is to continue to foster a safe, friendly and professional space for new and experienced members alike. Our network is designed for us to share knowledge and experience with, and learn from, each other, in a place where no question is too stupid.
One important new mechanism that we have implemented is a committee-wide email address to which you can send complaints about members’ conduct on the forum or at events. Although we hope you never have to use it, please let us know if you feel any member is behaving in a way that is not consistent with our Member Agreement by sending an email to committee@iti-frenchnetwork.co.uk
It may not be the new calendar year, but I feel as if this new membership year is providing us with an opportunity to take stock and perhaps set an intention for ourselves as we take our businesses forward. In my case, that intention can be summarised in just one word: conversation. In June, I jumped at the opportunity for a 15-minute chat with Fiona Gray, ITI Chair. That conversation reminded me just how important our relationships are and how even a 15-minute chat can provide us with a spark of inspiration that can ignite a fire in our minds. That is one reason why I would like to engage in more conversations, with clients to better understand their pain points, with colleagues to share experiences, and – of course – with French Network members to identify needs, concerns and hopes for the future.
Perhaps this letter in Au Courant is just the start of those conversations.
Alanah Reynor
ITI French Network coordinator
