Hello everyone 

This is the running update from the Executive Director. Have questions or comments? Suggest some added information or edits? Contact Colin at kantarainitiative dot org.

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

We have nearly made it folks!  2020 - an unforgettable year for all the reasons we all know - is nearly done and we can look forward to it being behind us.  2021 looks better already with good news around vaccine approvals. 

How was November for you?  If you are actively involved in Kantara, it won't have escaped your attention just how busy all facets of Kantara have been.  We concluded November with the Members' Annual General Meeting.  It was the most well attended ever.  In past years we have piggybacked on international conferences in the US and Europe as a venue.  While this was great for face to face interaction, it was necessarily restricted in attendee numbers by its very nature.  I guess this is one positive for stay-at-home 2020.  During the jam packed meeting:

• We, with great pleasure, reflected back on the year's activity together with the Working Group Chairs as they reviewed their Group's activities;
• President Matt, with other Board members, shared the preliminary results of the strategic review for discussion and comment, with our global family pitching in;
• By the numbers we
  • received double the expressions of interest in conformity assessment, assurance and grant of trust mark in our Trust Framework Operations program,
  • doubled our publications,
  • doubled our responses to requests for comment on consultations on digital identity around the world, and
  • slightly increased our Membership; and
• We launched the Privacy & Identity for mDL Discussion Group.  

All up, a satisfactory year and you can see the AGM materials here on the website.  But wait, there's more! .  It was a delight to announce the winners of the inaugural Exemplary Contribution Awards to individuals, regardless of their membership standing, who have tirelessly volunteered with group work, attended calls and promoted Kantara's unique qualities to the world as judged by Working Group Officers.  It was great to be able to recognize the efforts of

• Noreen Whysel,
• Oscar Santolalla,
• Catherine Schulten,
• Tom Jones, and
• Richard Wilsher

and thank them in a meaningful way for their service and unflagging dedication.    

November also had other activities. I was a panelist on the UK's Think Digital Identity for Government virtual conference which is always great value, and was on three panels for Identity Week UK the week after.

Members received emails on the call for nominations for the two Directors at Large positions for 2021 from the general organization membership.  There will be more information of a new 'view' of our membership coming early in the New Year. 

It was great to welcome new member Tim Reiniger as well as membership renewals from Wedacon in Germany, 2Keys in Canada, ITIM Consulting in Canada and Individual Contributors Silvia Knittl, Sal D'Agostino and Vitor Jesus.   

December will be very busy for Staff as we prepare a new, fresh look for the website with improved navigation as we continually improve the information architecture for the increasing amount and range of material Kantara publishes. 

It remains for me to wish you a very blessed Christmas (for those that celebrate it) and a Happy New Year!  See you on the other side  .

Onwards to 2021 and all that it has in store for us personally and our expanding and diverse community.  

Kind regards,

Colin

Around the Houses:

Marketing:

• Follow us online: https://twitter.com/KantaraNews and https://twitter.com/UMAWG and https://twitter.com/KantaraCISWG.  

• Miss something? See our press releases here.    

• Want to start a Kantara local chapter in your town? We are happy to help. Just Contact us.         

Program, Work Group and Discussion Group Updates:

• You can always keep up with the latest news from the Work and Discussion Groups directly on the Leadership Council's Blog. See the list of public groups here.

• As always, our Specifications, Recommendations and Reports are available for download from our Reports and Recommendations web repository - now with frictionless access.  

• Not sure where to find things? Membership Bella, Ruth, Chris and myself, together with the Kantara IT team consisting of Sebastian and Gonzalo led by Armin  are only too willing to assist.  Contact them here.

Events: See them all here!