Dear WBFN Members,
As the year ends, we extend our sincere appreciation for your exceptional dedication and support. This December offers us a meaningful moment to reflect not only on our shared achievements and the challenges we have overcome together, but also on the goals we set in July and the progress we have made so far.
We kicked off the year by shaping our three-year strategy for FY26–28, inspired by the thoughtful feedback you shared through surveys and focus groups. At the heart of this plan is a simple goal: to bring the same sense of connection and belonging that members enjoy at HQ to our country offices around the world.
We’re rolling out our strategy one country at a time, and we’re energized by the opportunities ahead. We look forward to co-hosting Family Days with WBG country office teams in as many locations as possible and launching an annual Welcome Day. These, and many more initiatives are designed to spark joy, belonging, and strengthen connections across our global community. By the end of FY26, we also aim to bring our beloved Teen Summer Program to at least two new countries, creating even more opportunities for young people to build skills, grow, and connect with peers and experts.
None of this progress would be possible without our remarkable Worldwide Team —our regional and local connectors work tirelessly to bring these initiatives to life. Their dedication and passion are the driving force behind our efforts to build a stronger, more vibrant community, one country, one family, and one member at a time.
Another key focus area of our strategy is to revamp our website by making it more intuitive and mobile friendly. Preliminary work is ongoing, and we are targeting to relaunch it by the end of FY26. Besides making it more user-friendly and visually engaging, we plan to have webpages for each of our local chapters making it easier for members in country offices to connect with and share information and services.
The final pillar of our strategy is to enhance the offering of our Professional Development programs (PDP). The progress in the PDP team has been notable; we have adjusted the times for our workshops/webinars to take into consideration those who are not in HQ. We are launching more professional groups and hosting more thematic sessions conducted by industry experts.
Our monthly newsletter has highlighted the inspiring stories of our members across country offices, and you can find even more updates on our Facebook page. We rely on you to share the activities and events happening in your locations, as we plan to launch a country-office newsletter that puts your stories in the spotlight—so keep them coming, and we’ll help make them visible.
As we look ahead to the next six months, we’ll keep strengthening our community, deepening our presence in country offices, improving our communications, raising our visibility, and advocating for our members so they can thrive socially and professionally wherever they are. We value your ideas and feedback; together, we can achieve great things.
As we close out the year, thank you for your tremendous support. Wishing you and your families a joyful and restorative holiday season, full of celebration, reflection, and hope, and a new year of continued growth.
With gratitude,
Joel and Milka