Message from the President - December 2025
Reflections on Board Service
When you hear the term board member, who comes to mind?
For many of us, the picture is shaped by movies and TV: serious faces, furrowed brows, navy pin stripe suits, a certain age and gender dominating the room. To be fair, some boards still look that way. But the truth is: boards are increasingly reflective of the diverse communities they serve.
If you’ve ever been even a little curious about joining a board, and you’re a communications professional (marketing comms, corporate comms, corporate affairs, the whole spectrum), I want to offer a different picture.
This year I had the privilege of stepping into the role of President of the IABC Victoria Board. Sitting around the table with my fellow board members has been one of the most energising experiences of my career. No one is on this board because they “have” to be. They’re here because they believe in the profession and in each other. And that’s the thing about volunteering: the point isn’t obligation. It’s contribution, growth, and community.
So could board service be for you?
Yes, if you enjoy any of the following:
Balancing governance with creativity and practical decision-making.
Thinking about where the communications profession is heading.
Exploring how we can keep elevating our member experience.
Shaping and bringing to life programs, conversations, and events that matter to our community.
Working with smart people who care.
Each year, we open up positions to refresh our board dynamics and welcome new talent. If you’ve been wondering whether you’re ‘board ready’, then get in touch.
A few truths about the IABC Victoria Board
The IABC Victoria Board is not your typical board. In some ways, Board + Working Committee might be a more accurate label.
Yes, we perform governance duties for one of the most active IABC chapters outside North America. But the work also has a strong entrepreneurial streak. We spend a lot of time wrestling questions like:
What’s the future shape of the communications profession?
What issues do our members need to understand or anticipate?
How can we create an even better member experience?
How might we serve our community’s professional and networking needs?
How do we help communicators feel part of something bigger - a supportive, energising community?
Communications professionals sit at the intersection of strategy, change, crisis and celebration. The profession is evolving fast, and adaptability is the new superpower. Our belief as a board is that we have a responsibility and opportunity to put the profession in the best possible place to shine.
If that sparks something in you, I hope you’ll consider putting your hand up and applying for a position.
Who knows, you may be just what we need around the table.
Read the full December 2025 newsletter here.
