{"id":3198,"date":"2021-12-21T09:09:45","date_gmt":"2021-12-21T09:09:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=3198"},"modified":"2021-12-21T09:15:53","modified_gmt":"2021-12-21T09:15:53","slug":"2021-last-one-out-turns-off-the-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marendeepwell.com\/?p=3198","title":{"rendered":"2021: Last one out turns off the lights…"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It’s the darkest day of the year, Winter Solstice, and for me the last working day of 2021. Yay! For the last blog post of the year here is a look back at what has been a busy year. Whilst it may not feel that way just now as we prepare for another uncertain festive season, this year has had a lot of highlights and much, MUCH, has been accomplished. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My year as CEO of ALT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>
\n

Twelve months ago, I had a mountain to climb as a CEO. ALT had never been busier than in the year of the great online pivot, but the pandemic had a huge impact on our operations and ability to generate income from our charitable activities. Being an independent charity has strategic upsides, but it also carries risks that a year long crisis like 2020 only heightens. Even as an experienced leader I felt worried about what had to be accomplished in 2021. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Since then, things may not have become easier, but we have achieved what we set out to do this year: we are in a more financially stable position, our staff team is growing and we have delivered more for our growing Membership this year than ever before. If you haven\u2019t already had a look, the 2021 Impact report<\/a> celebrates some of our recent achievements accomplished as a community in the past year, and our Awards showcase<\/a> highlights just some of the excellent practice going on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have welcomed hundreds of\u00a0 new members in 2021, and as ALT grows it becomes ever more important for us to strengthen our voice and increase our impact. If you haven\u2019t already, please do take a moment to complete our\u00a0Annual Survey<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I really enjoyed seeing Members show some of what’s really possible in Learning Technology when we move beyond crisis provision, and our collaboration with ITN Productions helped us share our expertise with a much wider audience than before. Watch\u00a0the programme<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0find out more<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
2021 in photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My team, our Board and all the colleagues I have worked with this year have been generous and imaginative under the continued pressure of a lot to get done and pandemic living. I am grateful that we continue to find ways to celebrate important milestones together and to reflect a little on all that is happening whilst we continue to lack opportunities to meet in person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pre-conference pizza nights to KaraOERke and from care parcels sent by post to snowball fights online, we have done what we can to keep our spirits up and support each other as a team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am so grateful to work in an organisation that continues to support us in a considerate way through these turbulent times and I want to express my deep thanks to Helen, our Chair, for all she has done this year to steer us through 2021. To you all, thank you!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talks, keynotes and writing a book<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking at my archive for this year<\/a>, it appears that I have done more than I had realised. I have been able to contribute to some amazing ventures, attend many virtual conferences and work with inspiring leaders here in the UK and across the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are my highlights from 2021:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n