Welcome
Building Resiliency through Engagement in North Texas
Welcome to the North Texas Chapter of the Association of Continuity Professionals (ACP). ACP is a non-profit professional organization, which provides a forum for the exchange of experiences and information, for business continuity professionals, throughout a network of local chapters.
Founded in March of 1986, the North Texas Chapter is one of the oldest continuously meeting chapters, and the largest ACP chapter by membership, serving the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and North Texas region. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month unless the first Tuesday coincides with a holiday week. We invite you to attend our next meeting either in-person or virtually.
For anyone who would like to join our chapter and/or attend our meetings, please contact our Membership Director at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information.
Next Meeting
October Meeting *** Note special meeting time ***
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Location: North Dallas, TX - Location provided upon registration
Topic: Networking Happy Hour & Presentation (Members Only)
Presenter: CLDigital
Sponsor: CLDigital
Eventbrite Helpful Hints and Tips
Attendees should anticipate a 90-minute monthly meeting, with the understanding that some meetings may last up to 2 hours. Please join us for our next meeting!
Our meetings (unless indicated) are also available to attend virtually. Please attend in person if possible. Virtual meeting information will be provided with each meeting registration.
Anyone interested in hosting an event or speaking at an upcoming meeting, please contact our Programs Director.
Note: Additional information for regular meeting locations can be found on the Events page.
President's Comments
ACP North Texas Members,
Though I had seen it years ago, my wife was unfamiliar with the film. For those who might not be acquainted with the plot, the movie revolves around a high school student named David who, using rudimentary technology like dial-up and an acoustic phone coupler, establishes a remote connection with Joshua. What starts as a seemingly harmless invitation to play an online war game takes an unexpected turn as it's revealed that Joshua is, in fact, a computer at the Department of Defense.
In the story, David assumes he's engaged in a game solely with Joshua, oblivious to the fact that all their interactions are being relayed to the NORAD control center. Real-world events, including the movement of nuclear submarines towards US territories, the tracking of Russian jets, and the impending approach of nuclear missiles towards key US cities, are displayed across monitors. The NORAD team, acting based on this information, elevates the threat level, prompting a global threat escalation. The world teeters on the brink of World War III.
My intrigue lies in the fact that this film was released in 1983. While watching, I couldn't help but contemplate the extent of our reliance on technology and the rapid proliferation of AI today, four decades later. We tend to take Google's information at face value, trust our car's GPS to navigate the most efficient routes, communicate effortlessly through smartphones, and rely on timely notifications for our online orders.
A poignant line from the movie emerges just as the US prepares to launch a counterattack: "General, do you truly believe the enemy would strike without provocation, employing a barrage of missiles, bombers, and submarines, leaving us no recourse but complete annihilation? General, you're listening to a machine! Do everyone a favor and abstain from acting like one."
Now you might be wondering, how does this connect to the Summer Series on Leadership that I have been writing about? Leadership entails standing up for what's rational and known, occasionally trusting our instincts to make informed decisions. Unlike computers, we're not programmable entities, yet we can harness technology to augment our comprehension and identify potential solutions. However, as Resiliency Professionals, it's imperative to always assume the mantle of leadership and act as humans, not machines. So, grab some popcorn and immerse yourself in the movie. It is worth your time as who knows.
Regards,
Chet Bojarski, MBCP
North Texas Chapter President
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