I love a good learning opportunity. I finished high school with 150 per cent of the required credits, took two minors in university, and have used every learning platform my employers have ever offered me. Heck, I’m currently taking French classes twice a week. So when I learned that Dare to Lead was coming to Calgary this year, I was très enthousiaste!

Dare to Lead is an annual gathering of IABC chapter and region leaders from across Canada. The weekend-long event features professional development and social programming to help IABC directors develop leadership skills, connect with each other and share best practices with colleagues across the country.

This year IABC leaders each built a compass canvas for our chapters and portfolios. Using Our True North as the theme, we covered terrain, direction, resources, allies and milestones for the year. It was a great way to revisit and enhance our strategies — something communicators never seem to have time for (or is it just me?).

For myself, the true value of Dare to Lead – like other IABC events – was meeting new people and old friends. We commiserated on common issues, shared ideas on how we might solve them, and eventually some of us ended up at karaoke as many great gatherings tend to do.

I’d like to thank the Calgary board of directors for attending with such enthusiasm and in many cases volunteering as dine around hosts. I’d also like to thank the Canada East and Canada West boards for organizing the event, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year! Congratulations to Jennifer Wah and Gary Carr for dreaming up such an enduring tradition that has helped inspire so many communicators over the years.

If Dare to Lead sounds like it’s up your alley, I encourage you to get involved as a volunteer this year. You may find that joining the board of directors is a leadership experience worth exploring. It certainly has been for me.

Natasha Cousin
President, IABC/Calgary