July 2008 Report to the Houston Chapter of ISACA Membership: We’ve had our re-election and now let me report on my view of the Chapter and our future. My goals are simple. 1 Give Back to the Membership. The Chapter belongs to the Membership and I will keep this in mind as I work for you. It is time for me to step up and do more. 2. Open and Free Communications. I will keep the Membership in the loop on what the Board and Committees are doing. Each month I will post the President’s Report on the website to update my activities. Likewise, I will have the Board and Committee members make a monthly report on their activities in another section of the website. We will come directly to the Membership for your review and approval on all major decisions. I will ask Norm Comstock, our Chapter Secretary, for suggestions on how we will accomplish this goal. The Board and I require you input. 3. Bank Account. I will be working with our Treasurer, Mike Siraj, on reconciling our Bank account and we’ll report the results. Also, Mike will review short-term investments for our excess funds. Presently we are earning .3% on them. We will keep you posted on our actions. Currently, we have about $160,000 in funds and need to ensure that these funds are used for the benefit of the Membership—these are your funds. We will involve you in decisions on spending and please be aware that we will be spending funds on neglected Chapter needs, but don’t worry, we won’t waste your monies. 4. Low Cost Training. I hear what you are saying. Therefore, I will be working with the Board to identify low cost training for the Membership. As I reported at the July meeting, we’ll have the first low cost training session on September 17, 2008 by Krag Brothy. His presentation is tentatively on Security Metrics. Details will follow in about three weeks. Krag came to through the help of Robert Berquist at ISACA International. Krag is not only a CACS Keynote Speaker but also a highly published author—look at the ISACA Bookstore for his publications. My goal is to work with the Board and have at least four training classes a year. Two will be low cost, one will be free, and the other will earn a small profit to help fund additional training. I promise you will have input into our training and help us identify what you require in your professional training. Harvey Nusz, Director, is hard at work planning our luncheon speakers and after lunch training. Lillbett Machado, our new Vice President, is working to get the CISA and CISM reviews ready later this year with the Coordinators. 5. Strategic Planning. I will be asking the Board to come up with the strategic directions for the Chapter follow over the next two years. Again, I also need your help so make suggestions directly to me or the Board members through our website links at isacahouston.org. We will share your input and report our plan in 60-90 days for your review and approval. Mary Hall has just been elected Director and she is a real leader in the planning sector. David Hendren, Past-President, will be a valuable resource with this goal. 6. Help. The Board needs your help so please set up and contact us. Also, we’re going to require lots of volunteers for the many tasks we will be undertaking. 7. Election. I want to hank the Nominating Committee for their help with the election. I will be announcing what we will be doing to thank them later. The Chapter required somebody to step up and they did. We had a little bit of a rough time the past few months; we’re not looking back, but looking to the future. We have a considerable amount of healing to do with the Membership. I want to personally thank all the candidates that stepped up and provided us with a “spirited” election. Also, ISACA International was there to assist the Chapter. I heard a rumor, take it for what it’s worth, that they received over 300 emails the past 2-3 months. WOW! (I got over 600.) 8. Chapter Spamming. I’m going to work with Mel MeQueary and the Board to cut down on the number of emails. We’ll be using the website more for announcements so start checking it often. Please tell all the members who have blocked our emails, it save to get them. 9. Trust. I will work with the Board and you to show we want to earn your trust again. I will discuss initiatives with the Board and report back at a later date. We have a person on the Board, Jennifer Windham and we welcome her and the fresh input she’ll provide. 10. Thank You. I want to thank everyone who supported me and the other candidates. Your participation will make this a stronger chapter and one more responsive to the Membership. I will not forget that this is your Chapter and I serve you. Have patience with me, I’m not the perfect person some expect. I can’t leap tall buildings or walk on water, but I do err so give me your guidance. I have no strangers in the Chapter, you’re all friends. Let us join together to show ISACA International what Texas and Houston is. Jon Pope ISACA Houston President This message and any attached documents contain information from the professional services firm of Resources Global Professionals, or its subsidiaries, that may be confidential and/or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not read, copy, distribute, or use this information. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message.