This is officially the week when we stop saying Happy New Year, right? Let’s swap that out for Happy Conference Season! We are officially in that exciting, slightly chaotic, very caffeinated lead-up to the OLA conference, and things are moving fast over here. 

This week kicked off with the OLA Board and Council Orientation, where we walked through the governance, responsibilities, and logistical realities of these volunteer leadership roles. It is always grounding to start the year by getting everyone on the same page about how decisions are made, how the association functions, and how much trust and care goes into this work. 

OLA staff also participated in bystander intervention training, which was focused on preparing for situations that could arise during the Super Conference. This kind of proactive work matters. It helps ensure we are ready, confident, and aligned in creating a conference environment that is welcoming, safe, and respectful for everyone. 

I had a great first planning meeting with Lita Barrie, our incoming 2026 OLA President. We started mapping out priorities for the year ahead and thinking about the work of the Board. It is always energizing to begin those conversations early, with lots of ideas on the table. 

Behind the scenes, our conference planning team met for the final time ahead of the Super Conference. The planning is done, and execution mode is fully underway. Meanwhile, staff are still working feverishly to respond to customer support tickets related to registration and membership. Thank you, as always, for your patience while we keep the plates spinning. 

The conference website, mobile app and print program are getting their final polish, and everything is coming together beautifully. This Thursday, OSLA is hosting a conversation with practical tips and tricks for conference attendees, which is a great way to get oriented and feel ready. We also hosted an orientation last week for first-time conference attendees. It was recorded, so if you missed it, you can still catch up. 

In other news, the OLA 50/50 Draw is officially open for January. Grab your tickets now to be eligible for the early bird draw, and support the important work of the association while you are at it. 

See you next Tuesday (15 sleeps until the conference)!