“The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe…” On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy (JFK) delivered his famous inaugural speech, following tumultuous and exhausting wars and struggles, both domestic and abroad. Little did he know the country would move into even greater struggles immediately after his assumption of the office, continuing for at least another decade.
The saying “History repeats itself” is both accurate and real. The fact is one can view countries and their leaders in the same lens as businesses or organizations and their leaders. As a student of history, I have learned to appreciate and study historical events, figures, and times and apply the lessons in my personal and professional life.
While IECA in 2023 is not nearly in as much distress and turmoil as JFK’s America was in 1961, the external forces recently and currently for both entities require a similar response from their leaders and constituents. America prior to JFK’s era dealt with the fallout from WWII, the rise of communism, another consequential war (i.e., Korean War), and economic and social distress. Even then, the constituents of America (i.e., citizens) trusted their system of government, went to the polls, and made the 1960 election the highest turnout in 40 years.
IECA in recent years dealt with the Varsity Blues Scandal, legislative attempts to limit our operations in certain states, pandemic fallout, impact of artificial intelligence in our businesses, politicization of education in certain states, SCOTUS decisions that impact our students and families, and more. It is not the end of it, and it will not be. What has IECA done to deal with these external forces? Through educational programming and events such as conferences, retreats, and workshops in traditional and innovative forms, we pivoted as needed and continued to educate our members on these forces so that you may take the most applicable and effective steps to continue to serve your clients. By forming a Government Relations Committee, we started advocating for you and our students on issues that we can provide expertise. Through new partnerships with other organizations and educational institutions, we elevated your membership value. In return, you registered and attended events, shared your love for IECA with your colleagues to encourage them to join, and volunteered in our events and committees. You believed in IECA despite the negative external forces that threatened our peace. You are the epitome of the spirit of the American citizens who voted in the 1960 elections!
In just a couple of months, we will be in Florida for our conference. The negative external forces we have navigated thus far are amplified for this particular location due to recent political developments in Florida. However, our conference is not centered around politics. Instead, it focuses on advancing our field through education, research, and networking opportunities. By gathering in Florida, we aim to harness the existing resources and expertise within and beyond the state to benefit you. Learning with and supporting colleagues from around the country is one of the greatest benefits IECA members experience in our network.
Additionally, IECA is rooted in principles of diversity, open dialogue, and respect for differing viewpoints. By engaging with one another in a respectful manner, we can foster greater understanding and unity within our community. When we initially chose Florida as the location for this year’s conference about five years ago, we considered various aspects such as accessibility, available facilities, local expertise, visits to local campuses (both public and private), and more. Our primary goal is to provide a platform where members can share knowledge, collaborate, and grow professionally. In order to make this primary goal a reality given the challenges, I recently formed the IECA Road To Florida 2023 Task Force whose sole mission is to work with our conference staff and local authorities to explore new opportunities, develop tools and programming, and forge new partnerships in Florida. This group has been hard at work since mid-June and continues its mission until the conference closes in November. I invite you to share your ideas and concerns with Task Force Chair and Board Member Heidi Molbak (IECA’s VP for Committees) so that your voice is heard and your ideas are implemented. You will receive updates and exciting new developments from the Task Force or our staff in the coming months.
“So let us begin anew…” As JFK exclaimed 62 years ago when he called on the citizens of America to take action: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” As your association’s president, I ask you, my fellow members: Ask not whether you should attend the Florida conference, ask how you can contribute and make the best of the Florida conference.
Note: 100 percent of this article was written with HUMAN intelligence.
Ibrahim Firat, MBA
IECA President