President's Message
I hope you are all enjoying the late Spring weather! It is incredible to me how fast the year is going! I had a wonderful time at the CDS Midwinter. Kudos to Dr. Denise Hale and CDS for a successful meeting! The March Board of Trustees meeting has passed, and at the
create meaningful impact. Whether it’s through newsletters, social media, meetings, or casual
Dr. Michael Danner
time of publication, we are getting ready for Capital Conference in Springfield. Being an active member and participating in these events is a great way to show our federal and state legislators that we care. There is strength in numbers! It has been a busy early Spring legislatively, and more action alerts will undoubtedly be coming. Please be on the lookout for these and respond to support our efforts and protect our profession. Lindsay Wagahoff, our Government Relations Director, will send updates with more specifics. She is doing a great job! Please see the Component Resources Page on www.isds.org if your component needs help with communications. We can now send texts and messages to help communicate with your members (for a small fee). Informative, current talking points are also available on this page for your membership to pass on. We are putting the final touches on the planning for this September’s Annual Session, which will be held in East Peoria at the Embassy Suites. We will have some fantastic events, and I hope many of you will be there! During the Annual Session, you will hear about my theme for the year that highlights our communications. Communication is the lifeblood of any professional association. Without it, even the most well-intentioned organizations struggle to fulfill their mission, engage their members, and
conversations, effective communication builds trust, strengthens relationships, and fosters a sense of belonging within the association. Transparency is one of the most critical aspects of communication in a professional association. Members want to feel informed about key decisions, upcoming events, and the organization’s overall direction. Leadership sharing goals, challenges, and successes creates an atmosphere of openness and collaboration. People are far more likely to stay engaged when they understand how their contributions fit the bigger picture. Conversely, when communication is vague or inconsistent, members can feel disconnected or undervalued, which may lead to decreased participation and even attrition. Another essential component is two-way communication. Too often, organizations focus solely on pushing out information without creating opportunities for members to share feedback. A professional association should not just be a speaker but also a listener. Encouraging open dialogue, whether through surveys, town halls, or one-on-one conversations, gives members a voice in shaping the
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