A Message from National President CJ MacMullin

Now that we are back home, and recovering from the late working sessions in Canmore, we can look back and reflect on the great time we had:  the opportunity to renew friendship, the sharing of ideas in both educational seminars and informal sessions, and a great AGM that was both informational and fun!

Many thanks to the Calgary Bow River Club for a well-run, super-organized convention.  My thanks also to Denise from whom I received a huge photo review of the convention.  Through her efforts, I even got to enjoy events I didn't get to see first-hand because of meetings.

My congratulations go out to all the award winners at the convention.  These awards recognize the special efforts of all Clubs in helping those less fortunate than ourselves.  Of special note would be National Progressian of the Year, Drew Hooke; National President's Award (Club of the Year), Halifax; and Hall of Fame inductee, Paul Hoganson.  Finally, it has been a long time since we've acknowledged a "New Club of the Year" award, and Greater Moncton truly deserved this recognition.  Their outstanding efforts have been an inspiration to many.

With the many discussions I had in Canmore, a message I heard time and again, was the need for improved communication.  This will be our prime focus over the coming months, and in future articles, we will continue to update you with our progress.

I believe that by sharing our endeavours and successes between ourselves, and the general public, we can attract new members.  (Ask the members of Greater Moncton.)

I will also use this article to update you of my activities throughout the coming year.

My intention is to visit every Zone in the country, and as many clubs as possible.  Right now, I have been invited to St. John's for a membership meeting November 7th, and to the Pickering-Ajax club for their "Festival of Trees" on November 20th.  I am looking forward to both and hopefully getting the opportunity of visiting other clubs during the same trip.  I will be sending out to each club president an "offer to visit", and I will work with each of the Zone Governors to help coordinate visits at the most opportune times.  Reality may be that I won't be able to visit all clubs, but it will not be from a lack of trying.

I would like to see every club publish, on the National Web site, their regular meeting dates and locations, with contact numbers.  This would give all Progressians, who may be traveling across Canada, the opportunity of attending a Club meeting.

I look forward to the coming year, and the challenges it will bring.  I am hoping to see most of you at your club meetings and/or your special events.  Sharing ideas, and working together, we can build a stronger club.

Yours for Progress,

CJ MacMullin