News

To Our IPMA Partners, Sponsors, Government Staff, and Friends:

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that we reach out to each of you and communicate our deep care and support. Your health and safety are of utmost concern to our organization. As the situation rapidly evolves, the IPMA is taking steps to protect Board Members, our external partners, our Sponsors, and all of those who have come to know IPMA as a leader in government educational opportunities.

IPMA Events – In order to protect those we work with and our partners, the decision was made to cancel several of our premiere events. This is a first for our organization, as even during the financial downturn in 2008, we were able to provide quality opportunities to gather, learn and share.

The May 2020 FORUM – Following our Governor’s and the President’s request of Shelter in Place and maintain Social Distancing, the FORUM is canceled and will not be rescheduled. Although we have looked for new location opportunities, the future of large gatherings is uncertain and so we have decided to not hold this event.

Individual PD Events – Currently, all future PD events are on hold until further notice. The IPMA Professional Development Committee is researching potential virtual learning opportunities and will share information as soon as possible.

Executive Seminar – The IPMA September 2020 Executive Seminar is still moving forward, and if changes are necessary, we will inform all sponsors and guests as quickly as possible.

To each of our Partners, Sponsors, Government Staff, and Friends impacted by COVID-19, our thoughts are with you. Now is the time to lean on one another for support and resources, as we navigate through these difficult circumstances together. Thank you all for your continued support. The IPMA is looking forward to working with all of you in the near future.

Sincerely,

Scott West, IPMA Chair

The IPMA Board Chair for 2019, Vonnie Diseth, was pleased to report that 2019 was another successful year for the IPMA program. “Through the delivery of relevant leadership and professional development training opportunities and providing professional networking opportunities between public sector and private sector IT professionals; the IPMA continued to further the professionalism of the Washington State public sector information technology community.”
“The Board also made contributions to increase our two IPMA scholarship endowments, one to the South Puget Sound Community College Foundation and the other to Evergreen State College (IPMA/Dennis E. Jones Memorial Scholarship) which were both established in 2003. These scholarships help students interested in information management or computer science.”
‘None of the events would be possible without the generous support of our corporate sponsors/partners. Their financial and professional contribution to the IPMA programs translated into valuable learning experiences at minimal cost to public sector attendees.”
The Chair also went on “to acknowledge Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech), all the other participating state agencies, the dedicated pool of volunteers, our IPMA Board of Directors, and all the individuals who step up to help with all our events. Without your dedication and commitment, none of this would be possible.”
See the 2019 Annual Report here.

The IPMA 2020 program is underway with newly elected Board Chair, Scott West.

IPMAs’ first professional development offering is scheduled for February 11th (see adjoining post).  Four additional offerings are scheduled throughout the year.

In addition to the Professional development offerings the annual Forum is scheduled for May 19th and 20th and the annual Executive Seminar is scheduled for September 14th through the 16th.

The IPMA is very excited to have such a great group of private sector sponsors for 2020 (see banner below).  Without these exceptional partners the IPMA would not be able to provide the quality events at minimal cost to attendees.

IPMAs’ latest professional development event, titled “Scalable Security Operations”, was held February 11th at the Worthington Center, St. Martins University.  Attendees came away with a better understanding of:  The state CISO’s vision for state security operations; Challenges faced by small, medium and large agencies to comply with current standards; Standard operating models and which is the most scalable for agency use; Creative solutions for scalable security operations; and, Lessons learned from colleagues from various size agencies.

Keep watch for IPMA’s next professional development offering coming soon.

IPMA’s biannual leadership course is now in process with 34 registrants.  The deadline is August 16th.  Class size is limited so apply early.  Applicant selection was held in September with the LeaderPath 2020 class orientation held October 8th.

LEADERPATH PROGRAM FLYER – Download here.

LEADERPATH APPLICATION – Download here.

2019-2020 Program Shown Below

Strategic IT leadership helps organizations become more efficient, more effective and more capable when responding to challenge and change. The LeaderPath training program offers a comprehensive personal and professional approach to developing today’s leaders to meet today’s challenges and realize tomorrow’s opportunities.

LeaderPath addresses the unique leadership challenges and opportunities faced by public sector IT professionals and their business partners who work closely with them.
This customized learning program is an intense and robust five-month learning experience geared to public sector technology professionals and related business managers positioned for the next generation of leadership.

LeaderPath Program Dates and Outline

LeaderPath Orientation ~ October 8, 2019
Capstone Team Work Party ~ November 8, 2019
Building Relationships ~ December 3, 4, 5, 2019
• Team Development
• Stakeholders as Partners
• Personal Leadership Skills
• Creating a Sense of Belonging
• Collaborating Across Boundaries
• Coordinating Organizational Change
Communicating Direction ~ January 7, 8, 9, 2020
• Performance Management
• Using the Language of Leaders
• Managing Interpersonal Conflict
• Coaching and Influencing Others
• The Power of the Budgeting Cycle
Enabling Change ~ February 4, 5, 6, 2020

• Strategic Planning
• Engaging Others in Change
• Assessing Capacity for Change
• Managing Risk/Managing Change
• Presentation Skills: The Art of Influence

Capstone Team Presentations and LeaderPath Graduates and Alumni Reception ~
~ March 10, 2020

Capstone Challenge Teams work throughout the duration of the program to address real world leadership challenges. Participants should expect to spend several hours working together outside the classroom. At the end of the program, all teams will present an outline of their leadership challenge, proposed solutions and share their overall learning experience with a select audience of other IT professionals and proven leaders.
360 Degree Leadership Assessment is included in the tuition fee. Program participants will receive private coaching sessions to interpret and understand their personal feedback report.

For more information, please contact:
Melanie Reynolds – leaderpath@gmail.com – 360-451-1466
Robert Jeffers – robertjeffers@gmail.com – 360-352-1137

ck back soon for more details on our News. In the meantime, please contact us for more details.

IPMA has contracted with Gary Duffield as the new Professional Development Coordinator, rounding out the IPMA staff.
Gary is a retired Washington state employee. Gary’s last position was Chief Architect with the Department of Revenue assigned to the Tax and Licensing Systems Replacement project.

Gary enjoys a creative challenge. In his personal life he gravitates towards creative activities (art, music, videography). He also really enjoys a good logic puzzle and has accumulated a small collection of favorite brain teasers and optical illusions.

Gary enjoys working in concert with others. “There is nothing more satisfying than being on a team where everyone is in sync and functioning at a high level.” He also enjoys teaching and facilitating in group environments, “I have taught many technical classes over the years and have also led Lean exercises.”

Welcome aboard Gary.