Emily Dunbar, Managing Director for Member Value and Society Relations, welcomed all Society Leaders to her home city for the Global Society Leadership Conference and introduced the theme, Building the Societies 2.0 World.
Noting the growth of this “world” over the last year, Emily highlighted 157 CFA Societies now cover 78 countries, including five new CFA Societies in Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Oman, Croatia and Colombia, new chapters in India, and a third Society in China (Chengdu).
Since joining as the first Director of Society Relations for EMEA almost 12 years ago, Emily noted how relationships between CFA Institute and CFA Societies have evolved and thrived. Emily added, “I know that what we have now defined much more explicitly as Societies 2.0 is the right strategy for our organizations and our relationships across the world. It’s the right way for us to build our brand and serve our mission and members.”
Recognizing that “one size doesn’t fit all”, Emily said it will take a lot of work, trust and commitment to build the Societies 2.0 world. She emphasized that future plans are ambitious and the foundations must be right, including Society technology, Continuing Professional Development and the Principles of Partnership and Operating Framework.
Principles of Partnership and Operating Framework
When Societies 2.0 was launched, a governance work stream was established and Emily emphasized that early on a concern came to the fore: What certainty is there that Societies 2.0 will outlive changes in personnel at CFA Institute and CFA Societies?
To ensure longevity, the Principles of Partnership and Operating Framework – which describes the nature of the relationship between CFA Institute and CFA Societies and provides some operational guidelines – was reviewed. It was agreed that it did not reflect the current relationship, Emily explained, and Society volunteers, PCRs, CFA Institute staff and Board of Governors representatives spent much time revising this document. Emily noted the intention is for the principles to stand alone and withstand the test of time, while the operating framework is a working structure that will continue to evolve. The draft will be presented for CFA Society approval and then CFA Institute Board of Governor’s approval at the Global SLC.
To recognize the considerable undertaking by volunteers, Emily invited those present who were involved in the Principles of Partnership and Operating Framework project up to the stage.
She concluded by saying: “We feel that the work we’ve produced is more reflective of our current relationship and our aspirations, and should go quite some way to providing us all with reassurance that this big, diverse, and vibrant Societies 2.0 World - in all its forms - is here to stay.”
Watch the Operating Framework video screened at the Global SLC
© 2019 CFA Institute. All rights reserved
To download assets, please view the site on a desktop device