Message from the Founder

June 1, 2020

As the Auditing Alliance first entered my mind,  I remembered a career change which occurred in the early 1990s. That was when I joined the Environmental Services department at Ryder Truck Rental.  Fortunately the company was supportive of training opportunities. While I don't remember how I became aware of the (former) Environmental Auditing Roundtable (EAR), I do recall being impressed and overwhelmed after attending my first EAR conference.  The content was valuable, and the members friendly, helpful and willing to share.  The EAR provided cost effective, quality continuing education and the chance to  connect with other EHS professionals. Conferences became not only opportunities for learning, but also reunions with friends. It wasn't uncommon over the years to hear members refer to the organization as "family,"  talk about the friendships that had started at an EAR conference, or changes in careers that were a direct result of connections made at an EAR conference. All were welcomed. Members came from the public and private sectors. Industry, consulting and governmental agencies were represented.

The EAR evolved over the years, growing with the times. Moving from an organization focused on environmental auditing to one that included environmental, health and safety auditing. Overlapping disciplines, such as corporate social responsibility and security, were also topics at conferences. With the expansion of practice areas came a name change. The EAR became the Auditing Roundtable. Eventually, the Auditing Roundtable was folded into the Institute of Internal Auditors.

The EAR relied primarily on volunteers. Those volunteers planned conferences, led committees, contributed to position papers on regulations, were presenters at conferences and provided endless support to the EAR.  

My hope for this organization, Auditing Alliance, is to provide a forum for quality, cost effective learning and networking, with opportunities for members to get to know each other professionally and personally. A place to make connections.  The Auditing Alliance is also committed to promoting the EHS auditing profession. This will be accomplished through virtual learning and meetups. In time in-person conferences will be organized. There are also plans in the works for a student mentoring program to encourage the next generation to consider and pursue a career (or part of their career) as an EHS auditor. 

Julie Thompson

Founder