As I write this, I look out my window and see buds beginning to form on my tree, a sure sign that spring has arrived. Here begins the transformation from the long, gray, and gloomy Chicago winter, to the endless possibilities and brilliance of a Chicago spring. There are few places around the world that can match the emotional exuberance that we Chicagoans feel when temperatures begin to hit 60 and the sun finally hits our skin and warms our faces. If you’ve lived through a Chicago winter, you know exactly what I mean.

I also sit here hopeful that we’re about to turn the page on a different dark chapter of our lives. With the rollout of the vaccine accelerating, the promise of a better, safer, healthier tomorrow gets closer and closer. I invite you to join me in putting down the remote control, stepping away from Netflix, and beginning to live life again. Get outside, smell the roses, say hello to a neighbor, share a meal with a friend, and of course, get ready for all the exciting things we have planned for the Chicago Chapter. 

The past few months have been very busy for our Chapter. As you know, March 8^th was the Chapter’s 60^th Annual Seminar—Kyle O’Rourke will be providing an update in the pages that follow. The Chapter also completed the nomination process to identify the next slate of Chapter Officers and Board of Governor members. A total of 43 members were interviewed for the various volunteer leadership roles—an indicator of the Chapter’s good health. Here are some stats for you to consider: 51% of the candidates were male, 49% were female, and 28% were minorities. I am proud of the strides we’ve made this year and I look forward to growing our Board to better represent both Chicago auditors and our community.

Lastly, many of you voted in support of the recent changes to the Chapter Bylaws—the rules the Chapter must follow. The Bylaws have gone through minor revisions throughout the years as the Chapter has evolved, but this year the changes were massive and dictated by IIA HQ. While the changes were required, the process to adopt their requirements while maintaining our Chapter’s unique posture was daunting. A big thank you to Eileen Iles for leading the charge, and thanks to all of you for supporting us.

Here’s to warmer, brighter, and a little less distanced days ahead!