Submitted by Peter Koonce and Kimberly Leung, Western District International Directors

The ITE International Board of Direction (IBOD) held a two-day meeting in Memphis (TN), in conjunction with the Joint Southern District and Missouri Valley District Meeting.  The meetings took place April 13th and 14th.

During the official IBOD meeting, the Board took several important actions:

• The IBOD received a briefing on 2024 finances, which are now in the audit cycle.  Pre-audit analysis was conducted, and the results were very positive with a surplus of revenue over expenses, and most line-items operating in positive territory.  ITE’s reserves are also strong.
• Speaking of finances, the IBOD held an in-depth discussion on banking, changes that have been imposed by the banking industry, and how this is impacting many of our Sections and Districts.  ITE staff are in the process of preparing additional resource materials on this subject, and the likelihood of training and more rigid procedures to combat all these changes are likely to be incorporated into this action.  In the interim, all Districts and Sections are advised to pay closer attention to finances, ensure paperwork reflects current leadership, and ensure a clear line of communication with banks is in place.
• The Board approved charters for five new Student Chapters.  In Pakistan, part of our Global District, charters were approved at Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) and the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Taxila.  In our Western District, charters were approved for the University of California, Riverside and the University of Portland.  And from our Southern District, a charter was approved for Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virgina.  This now brings us to more than 160 student chapters in ITE!
• The Board also approved an updated charter update for the Northern California Section to now include Central California as a chapter (previously operating as a Section).

Other significant updates included:

• Due to some of the federal uncertainty amidst a leadership change in the US Government, meeting and event attendance could experience a temporary reduction. Districts and Sections are advised to plan accordingly, in particular if you traditionally have strong participation from USDOT members.
• The Virtual Spring Conference was very successful, with an incredible technical program praised universally by all participants.  Attendance was down just slightly from last year, but that was to be expected given the aforementioned temporary uncertainty.
• The new actions laid out in the Safety Roadmap and Action Plan are already receiving a lot of attention.  Considering the plan was only launched in January, it is impressive that 12 of the 30 new actions are already moving forward!  ITE has been actively promoting this plan, our technical Councils and Committees have incorporated concepts into their 2025 action plans, and a number of our Districts and Sections are likewise looking to get engaged in the new activities. Download and access the ITE Safety Roadmap and Action at http://www.ite.org/safetyroadmap 

Future Annual Meetings:

• Aug 10-13, 2025 – Orlando, FL (Florida Puerto Rico District)
• July 19-22, 2026 – Detroit, MI (Great Lakes District)
• July 25-28, 2027 – Calgary, Alberta (Canada District)

ITE Remains Focused Amidst Uncertainty

The IBOD held an in-depth discussion on how the US Government leadership change has been impacting our membership, our programs, and our finances.  The results of that conversation included some helpful reminders for all our Districts, Sections, Chapters, Councils, and Committees:

Our mission remains unchanged.

• We will continue to focus on what is important to our members.
• We will continue to execute ITE’s Strategic Plan.
• We will continue to emphasize actions in our Safety Roadmap & Action Plan.
• We will continue most if not all of our other ongoing initiatives and activities.
• We will continue to work with USDOT as an important partner.
• Trying to “fight, resist, plant flags, be vocal” significantly endangers our ability to do the above.  
• We cannot react to each and every announcement or action coming from this or any administration.

While it is difficult, we still need more time to better measure how things will eventually evolve.

• A number of important leadership positions within USDOT have not yet been filled, which will provide an important layer in clarifying approval procedures, adding context to policy positions, and finalizing reduction in force or reorganization plans. Until then, assuming any details to be “set in stone” would be premature.
• There are signs of light ahead. The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant notice of funding opportunity was released March 28.  This is not only great news for local agencies that are the only entities eligible for these grants, but it also reinforces that a majority of safety counter measures are confirmed (at least for now) and still in play.

ITE’s membership is more than just the US – and the view of our members represents our politically diverse society.  Overall, as an organization, we will adapt and adjust, as we did with the global pandemic just a few years ago!