AIIP volunteer spotlight: The Virtual Events Committee
By Mary Ellen Bates
The Association of Independent Information Professionals has plenty of opportunities for members to learn and develop new skills through volunteering and supporting AIIP. The program of virtual meetings and other events is thriving thanks to the efforts of three dedicated volunteers from the newly formed Virtual Events Committee.
AIIP’s Webinar Committee was transformed into the Virtual Events Committee in January 2019, in response to requests from our members for different ways to present valuable content and provide virtual networking opportunities. Since that time, Kelly Berry, Elizabeth McLean and Betty Nordeng have imagined, created, tested, tried, evaluated and improved AIIP’s virtual event program with creativity and grace.
Because of their hard work we now have an established and well-received series of virtual meetings and other virtual events. Kelly, Liz and Betty are willing to try out new technology, make mistakes, break things and nevertheless, persist. When the Webinar Committee became Virtual Events, Kelly Berry had already been leading practice group virtual meetings. She is a skilled facilitator and has encouraged a warm, collegial and professional atmosphere in our virtual meetings.
Kelly loves her role as moderator, as “it both gives me a chance to get to know my fellow AIIPers better and learn from them as we discuss business and professional development best practices. So excited to be a part of it!” Liz McLean has been the knowledge manager of the committee, documenting what we learn as we break things, creating timelines to ensure smoothly-running meetings, and bringing a can-do attitude to each new challenge.
Liz is thankful for the recognition and says “I am excited to serve the AIIP community by convening conversations that advance learning and growth for our membership and our organization. Sincere thanks and appreciation go to Virtual Events colleagues Betty Nordeng and Kelly Berry with abundant gratitude to our Committee Chair, Mary Ellen Bates.” Betty Nordeng thought she would “merely” be providing backstage support for AIIP webinars, but she has become proficient in virtual meetings as well, often serving as breakout group facilitator. Her perspective and familiarity with AIIP have helped us make virtual events more useful and relevant to members.
Betty says, “it’s been a pleasure and privilege to work with the Virtual Events team.”
AIIP wishes to thank these three dedicated volunteers for making the Virtual Events Committee and its offerings a huge success!
