1997-1998

In late 1997, Marjorie Becker, an Eli Lilly spouse, and Ruth Van Reken, an Indianapolis author and speaker on global family issues, approached Caterina Blitzer of the International Center of Indianapolis (ICI) to explore how particular issues faced by internationally mobile families might be brought to greater awareness. After ICI hosted a forum at the International School of Indianapolis to assess interest in this topic, the idea to expand the discussion to a full-day conference was established. Christine Dowdeswell and Janet Fischer, two co-founders of the Association of International Women in Indianapolis, helped implement this event.

Through the support of Mitch Armbruster, Manager of Global Relocations, Eli Lilly and Company, and the financial sponsorship of both Eli Lilly and Company and F.C. Tucker, the first FIGT conference was held at the Eli Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana on May 16, 1998. Of the 85 attendees, over half traveled from outside Indianapolis.

1999

In 1999 FIGT expanded to a weekend conference and was held at the Lilly Conference Center at the Marten House Hotel. The conference attracted 100 individuals, families and organizations from the United States, plus seven other countries. The conference provided twelve plenary and concurrent sessions for attendees. Eli Lilly again supported the conference by sponsoring international spouses who wished to attend. Betty Mullin, recently returned from Thailand, became involved at this conference by registering guests, decorating the facility and genuinely welcoming all attendees. Betty has since registered guests and "colored" conferences every year.

Following the 1999 conference, Ruth van Reken, conference chair, enlisted a ten member cross-sector, planning committee to oversee programming, budget planning, publicity efforts, Web site development, sponsorship opportunities and local conference administration. The committee consisted of Christine Dowdeswell, Ruth van Reken, Sally Lipscomb, Margie Becker, Beverly Roman, Barbara Schaetti, Matthew Neigh, Samuel Britten, Betty Mullin and Pat Hunking. An event that had been managed in Indianapolis now expanded to a national committee.

2000

This conference welcomed 120 people, with representatives from seven countries outside the United States. The program offered fourteen plenary and concurrent sessions. The decision to hold the conference during the week, rather than the weekend, facilitated the attendance of teachers, human resource administrators, therapists, spouses, employees and students. Three companies sponsored this event: Eli Lilly and Company, F.C. Tucker and Pinnacle.

Two noteworthy events occurred in relation to the 2000 conference. First, after attending an FIGT presentation on corporate spousal issues, a group of local spouses formed the Lilly International Networking Konnection (LINK). Alice Wong, Lilly's Manager of Global Staffing and a FIGT 2000 conference presenter herself, supported them in this effort. Secondly, Joyce Blake, a recent repatriate from Russia and a conference planning professional, volunteered on a one-year, part-time basis to support FIGT's administrative needs for 2001.

2001

Despite the tragic events of September 11, 2001 that initiated cancellations and discouraged further travel and spending, FIGT maintained its level of attendance with 123 people from the United States and nine other countries. The conference program offered twenty-three plenary and concurrent sessions with conference speakers representing worldwide expatriate family services.

This year, the Lilly International Networking Konnection, along with two other local international women's groups, presented their recent organizational accomplishments. Sponsorship grew to nine companies and several scholarships were awarded so that a few worthy individuals with limited funds could attend the conference. Eli Lilly continued its support by sponsoring employees and spouses.

After more than four years, Ruth van Reken resigned as conference chair. Beverly D. Roman, Publisher, BR Anchor Publishing, was elected to replace Ruth as President of Families in Global Transition. The decision was made to reorganize the national planning committee into a Board of Directors.

2002

The newly formed Board recognized that FIGT, facing both financial challenges as well as major opportunities, was at a critical stage in terms of development and endurance. The Board drew up bylaws, applied for a 501(c)(3) and incorporation status, and elected officers and Board Directors. The officers and Board of Directors included: Beverly D Roman, President; Sally Lipscomb, Vice President and Financial Development; Matthew Neigh, Treasurer and Finance; Samuel Britten, Secretary and Web Design & Technology; Barbara Schaetti, Program; Kevin McNulty, Marketing; Lois Bushong, Nominating and Board Development and Joyce Blake, Conference Planning.

One of the Board's first initiatives was to generate income by seeking early sponsorship. In addition, the Board developed "Friends of FIGT," created an Associates Program and prepared to develop a committee for grant writing efforts. The board made the decision to create a stand alone Web site, www.FIGT.org. FIGT was incorporated on November 27, 2001 and achieved nonprofit status in October 2002 (retroactive to November 27, 2001).

The 2002 conference, again held at the Lilly Center in Indianapolis, IN, maintained its focus on the most critical issues associated with today's international relocation transitions. Program offerings featured international experts in four plenary and 20 concurrent sessions concentrating on issues that impacted the entire family. Two new features, a cross-sector dialogue panel and 15 poster presentations, were met with enthusiastic response.

In a year that was fraught with economic and security challenges, FIGT obtained eight sponsors and realized attendance of 148 individuals from 16 countries. Nearly one-third of the attendees elected to join our newly developed Associates Program and a Silent Auction was held for the first time. In addition, the Friends of FIGT program allowed us to fully or partially sponsor six individuals, who in return helped manage FIGT conference duties.

The founding board members worked extremely hard to take the organization to new heights. The board continues to expand with significant contributors. Click here to see FIGT's current Board of Directors

2004

The energy and time commitment from our all-volunteer board was extraordinary. However, we realized that "burnout" would set in if we continued at the annual conference pace. With that in mind, the Board, under the leadership of Matt Neigh, chose to hold a conference every 18 months - rotating every other spring and fall.

As FIGT continued to grow, the Board considered a more internationally accessible location. The American Airlines Training and Conference Center in Dallas, Texas was chosen as the destination for our first March conference; our maiden voyage from the heartland of Indianapolis, Indiana and into a new season.

In 2002 the US Air Force chose FIGT as its conference of choice for all of its family support personnel - this was a real complement to the quality, content and excellence of FIGT programming. We saw increased attendance (185) and the partnership of the USAF and the Joint Services. The Silent Auction and Bookstore contribution grew as well and the new location was a definite sign that we were breaking new ground in the international communities.

2005

This was the first year that the conference was held in Houston, Texas. Houston stands out as one of the few areas in the United States in which all of our constituent sectors are well represented: it hosts a large number of international and global businesses, boasts several well-established international schools and a thriving international education community, offers access to consular services from around the world, and is centrally located for the military bases and missionary organizations which abound within driving distance.

This was also the first year that the United States Joint Services conference, hosted per rotation this year by the Air Force, merged its own event with FIGT. Regretfully, their Joint Services conference was cancelled at the last minute in order to care for the needs of the many affected by hurricane Katrina. Nonetheless, we appreciated this recognition of the programmatic excellence that has become FIGT's standard.

And speaking of recognition, this was the year in which FIGT proudly announced that Worldwide ERC (Employee Relocation Council) designated every session on the Conference program, and even some of the pre-conference workshops, as counting towards their Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) accreditation. In no small measure, this recognition by Worldwide ERC underscores the very real respect now accorded to family issues as predominant concerns when ensuring successful global relocations.

We celebrate the innumerable, often small, and always extraordinarily courageous steps that women, children, and men have taken and continue to take to bring family issues to the forefront. We live in an enormously complex world, yet with every step we take to support families and ensure assignment success, we help family members cultivate their capacity to engage creatively and constructively across profound global differences of culture, faith, and politics. This was yet another fantastic conference experience filled with experience, expertise, inspiration, and creative connection.

2007

As a non-profit organization, FIGT turned five years old. The leadership of each successive Board of Directors has shaped and guided our journey forward. Individually and collectively, these talented, inspired and caring men and women have demonstrated the ability to rise above personal views to embrace the broader vision of FIGT. Each has done, and continues to do, whatever it takes to make FIGT an organization that benefits each attendee. Their efforts have frequently involved the personal cost of time, resources and effort. Enough cannot be said of the FIGT Boards’ generosity, dedication and service.

This was our second year in Houston as we continued to move forward on our progressive journey toward excellence. FIGT’s renowned program, diverse audience, and compassionate atmosphere made a lasting impact on over 220 attendees. Our newly appointed Program Director, Anne Copeland, and her dedicated committee derived a stellar forum for the powerful exchange of ideas, research and insights - the hallmark of FIGT.

2008

Our President, Sandy Thomas, described the 10th Anniversary conference so well, "It was a time to LISTEN, LEARN, and LINK with 'old' friends, and with soon-to-be 'new' friends from around the world." How true as over 200 friends celebrated in Houston, Texas at the Omni Houston Hotel.

It was a privilege to honor three visionaries whose dreams birthed FIGT - Norma McCaig, Dave Pollock and Ruth Van Reken. We recognized that FIGT exists today because of their unselfish commitment to help transitioning families in need and to dream a dream bigger than themselves. Countless thanks to all who carry on the work and expand the possibilities of Families in Global Transition.

With the funds raised at the 2007 Silent Auction and the Associate Program, we awarded the David C. Pollock scholarship to 15 "Pollock Scholars." In the spirit of continuing his selfless work, the scholarships help defray registration fees and enrich the lives of those involved in the transition work with families.