The first Saturday in October has become my favorite day of the year at ISACA. Every year, thousands of ISACA members and their families join together to perform local community service, and we track those efforts to measure the collective impact we have when we work together – even while apart.
ISACA CommunITy Day was born out of our 50th anniversary year in 2019, celebrating our community, our members and our chapters. It was a huge success with heartwarming stories, amazing photos, and long-lasting impressions we left on each other and those around us. Last year a global pandemic did not stop the second annual event as more activities moved virtual, more donations were collected, and more outdoor activities were hosted.
I am so proud to say that last month’s third annual event on 2 October 2021 continued that tradition of camaraderie, volunteerism and philanthropy. More than 2,100 volunteer activities were completed in 44 countries with participants representing 89 chapter and ISACA staff teams. We kicked off the event in New Zealand and traveled around the world via #ISACACommunITyDay on social media. Together we celebrated each other’s successes and applauded the great work supporting our communities, our children and seniors, those less fortunate, our environment and more.
ISACA Israel volunteers supported Leket Israel, the national food bank, and helped in selecting and packing surplus agricultural produce for distribution to the needy. Later, they delivered food packages to holocaust survivors to honor them on the Sabbath. In Manila, 881 students received supplies for basic education modules, along with a data privacy and security handbook for students.
Meanwhile, volunteers were sorting clothing donations in Malta, presenting medical personnel with appreciation gifts for their heroic service during the pandemic in Buenos Aires, and planting gardens and raising awareness for Alzheimer’s disease in Cincinnati, USA. ISACA staff jumped in to participate too, with small groups walking their dogs to support animal shelters, packing seeds for meal kits, and more.
In Kampala, Uganda, generous donations of supplies and funds were made to Mpigi Health Centre while chapter members raised awareness of sickle cell disorder. As one CommunITy Day participant from Kampala wrote, “This is a very special day in the sense that this is how we as an international organization connect to our community beyond our professional cause because we believe that if we build a better working world through our communities, we are able to do much more by uplifting those around us. I think through this event and as part of the ISACA community that we want to find a way of having more outreach, better impact.”
I could not have said that better myself! I am inspired by the passion of the ISACA community and appreciate all you do! Join us on 1 October 2022 for the next ISACA CommunITy Day and learn more about the impact we have made over the past three events.