1. Provide top notch quality training/educational programs at a reasonable price for our chapter members.  According to the feedback forms, most of our attendees agree that The Oracle Audit Training Program, Spring Training Week and our Annual Conference achieved these goals.

2. Continue the $40K give back program by offering free CISA and CISM review classes for chapter members. Of all the ISACA chapters worldwide, only the Silicon Valley Chapter offered CISA and CISM review courses for free (and we did it twice).

3. Promote and increase participation from members and volunteers at our chapter events. There is more active participation from volunteers at our chapter events than ever before. Membership participation at our events has also risen compared to last year.

All the above achievements do come with challenges and as I pass the baton to next year’s President, I would like to share them with you:

1. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression has swept through the world over the last two years. This is far from being a thing of the past. Jobs will continue to be lost as companies try to stay afloat by reducing costs. As a direct result, our chapter’s membership growth will be affected. The challenge for next year’s chapter board is to help our members stay competitive in these tough economic times.

2. A combination of interesting events, attractive pricing and a dynamic strategy from the Board will help address the challenge of increasing membership participation in chapter activities.

3. Although, I do not see this as a major issue, it is important that the incoming Board plan for events well in advance to continue to offer quality programs

ISACA Silicon Valley is in the heart of the most technologically advanced region of the world, and no other chapter has its unique combination of cutting-edge resources and expertise.  I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to have served all of you as Chapter President of this very special chapter. I would like to especially thank all our Board members who supported me during my tenure as President. They have done an outstanding job in their respective areas, and we should all be proud of them. I hope new volunteers will step up and take on the tasks as the 2009-2010 Board departs.

 I would also like to thank our chapter members for their faith and confidence in me during my tenure. Some of my favorite lines of poetry are from Robert Frost’s “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening”:  The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.  I would like to pass these lines on to the incoming Board as I wish them good luck in their tasks.

Respectfully yours,
Bala Natarajan
2009-2010 President
ISACA Silicon Valley Chapter