Phi Alpha Delta

Issue #1, 2020 — The Reporter 3 Message From the International Justice You know the saying, "Nothing changes if nothing changes." If nothing changes, we do not grow, evolve, or improve, and in today's world this does not work for Phi Alpha Delta and our members. is is where innovation—one of Phi Alpha Delta's core values—comes in and drives what we do. Innovation is the incorporation of new ideas to create positive change and progress. Without innovation, organizations and individuals simply stagnate and get left behind. As a result, we have to be innovative to move forward. Standing still while the rest of the world moves forward is not an option. us, innovation requires change, which brings uncertainty, and we all need to do our best to make ourselves comfortable with that. Essentially, there are times when we must take steps to move forward without knowing all of the answers in advance. Notwithstanding, we must innovate and move forward, so we can grow and doors can be opened for others. As we work through the 2018–2020 biennium, the working groups for each initiative, led by members of Phi Alpha Delta's International Executive Board, have been tasked to come up with innovative solutions to some of our organization's biggest challenges. eir innovation requires creative thinking to develop new ideas to do new things. ey understand that P.A.D., much like other organizations around the world, has to continually innovate to keep up with its members needs and attract new members. is is not an easy task, as innovation is progress in the face of tradition. "e difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones"—John Maynard Keynes (Economist, 1883–1946). If there is a way to concisely describe the charge given to each of these working groups, this omas Edison quote pretty much sums it up: "ere is a way to do it better. Find it." Innovation cannot happen without change, and the best way to drive change is to embrace it, not fear it, and our working groups have risen to the occasion in doing just that, and I couldn't be more proud. One of the more difficult parts of innovation is moving on from what used to work for you when what previously worked is relegated to history by current best practices. e horse-drawn carriage as a mode of everyday transportation comes to mind as an example of this. Innovation led to the creation and regular use of the automobile, and as much as some loved the earlier, horse-drawn mode of transportation, the innovation and progress of the time instructed that we move forward and leave that method of transportation behind. As another example (I may be dating myself ), I really liked my Commodore 64 computer, listening to cassette tapes, and watching VHS tapes. However, while those things were the result of past innovation and were ingrained in our society and my life 35 years ago, given the various innovation since, these are not items that I nor anyone else (who has kept up with the times) would regularly use today. is aspect of innovation must must remain applicable to our policies, processes, strategic planning, and marketing strategies, so we may remain relevant and continue to move forward in our more rapidly changing world. e organization "that does not innovate, ages and declines. And in a period of rapid change such as the present—the decline will be fast."— Peter Drucker (Author, Management Consultant, 1909-2005). Essentially, innovation, whether it be new products and services, more efficient and effective policies and processes, or new marketing plans, is critical to Phi Alpha Delta and its membership because it lays the groundwork for continued growth by introducing new solutions for our members and potential members. Fraternally yours, Jay Jason Michael Ross, Esq. International Justice

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