ANNUAL REPORT

Family Programs

Welcome Support Advocate

In early FY23, we assessed our readiness to re-open in terms of health protocols, volunteer resources and operations. Our operations assessment showed that from 2019 to 2022, our traditional delivery model for member engagement had fundamentally shifted from in-person, to virtual, to a balanced-blend of the two modes.

As the Executive Committee, Staff, Volunteers and Members began the year, it was immediately apparent that our membership was ready for in-person events. As an outcome of pent-up demand for in-person engagement, the Family Network re-launched its capstone in-person events in Washington DC, such as Fall Picnic, Children’s Holiday Party, WBGFN International Potluck, and Teen Summer Program with strong popularity and high participation levels.

Virtual events and programs had increased connectivity to our Worldwide community, positioning us to better deliver on our vision that each WBG family have the opportunity to belong to a globally mobile worldwide community.

Then, in FY23 a key support program was provided in-person within the Worldwide community through our partnership with the Domestic Abuse Prevention Program (DAPP). DAPP provided direct program engagement more typically experienced within the DC area. The balanced use of multiple delivery modes is enabling us to better deliver on the rest of our vision… that each family have the opportunity to belong to a worldwide community that provides support in every WBG office location.

The Career Lab and Welcome Information Sessions offered in FY23 are ‘best practice’ examples of blended delivery design. Using an in-person/virtual format, members ‘anywhere and everywhere’ may gain tangible professional and social acumen before they arrive in the Washington, DC area, or participate via an in-person experience tailored for valuable direct member engagement. As a result, members are empowered to jumpstart their professional and family transitions... before relocating or after arrival.

The successful re-launching of events has verified that our operating model will adjust to a future already presenting itself in exciting new ways ... virtually, in-person and using blended modes.

Recognizing the operational shift and its accompanying, measurable value to members, the FY23 Executive Committee engaged in a year-long strategic planning effort. Informed by virtual, inperson and blended approaches, the resulting Better Together Strategic Roadmap focuses on three themes: Programs and Tasks to Enrich Engagement, Decentralization of the WBG Family Network Experience, and Partnerships within and outside the WBG. We thank our members whose inquiries, engagement and feedback informed our process. And we thank the FY23 Executive Committee and Core Team for participating fully, candidly and capably in producing the Better Together Roadmap for the betterment of our members.

Sara Jaffrey – President Mary Summers - President Operations

Better Together

Developed and released in FY23, The FY23-25 Strategic Roadmap is already serving its purpose to focus our valued resources of time and talent on the priorities that move the Family Network to more fully Empower Global Families. The Better Together Roadmap focuses on three key themes:

 Programs and Tasks to enrich engagement

 Decentralization of the WBG Family Network experience

 Partnerships within and outside the World Bank Group

Value, visibility and vision guide our efforts.

Regarding value, the WBG Family Network recognizes as a priority the acknowledgement of our members’ contributions of valued skills, interests and talents within the community.

Contributions will acknowledge and reflect members’ valuable acumen honed through family life experiences, through navigating relocations, through volunteer experiences, or gained through professional, academic and credentialed accomplishments.

Regarding visibility, the WBG Family Network will increase awareness, visibility and access for the WBGFN community. We will focus on further developing partnerships with key officials of the World Bank Group in Washington DC, and in Country Offices worldwide.

We will build on recent steps that increase our visibility in Latin America and the Caribbean, among other regions, by considering both internal and external partnerships that may enhance our member’s community experience within the Region.

Better together, the Strategic Roadmap is, and will serve as a navigational compass for our Family Network community, guiding us toward Empowering Global Families and living out our vision every day.

President Hely Khan, President Operations