Central Region

Greetings from the Central Region!
Submitted by Juanita Soutar
National Vice President - Central Region 

Year in Review
It's been a busy, sometimes challenging, but mostly very successful year in the Central Region.  Our Board set a number of goals a year ago and through their hard work, and with the help of all of our members, I'm pleased to report that most were attained and even exceeded.  Some of the highlights of this past year include:

• Improved and more effective two-way communication

• Keeping members informed on what's happening in the Region by e-mail, newsletters, Club, Zone and Regional meetings

• Setting up and maintaining the Central Region e-mail database - thanks to Renate Thompson, Regional Secretary!

• Building stronger clubs with the recruitment of new quality members and equally importantly, by retaining our existing members

• Increased attendance at Zone and Regional meetings and support of fellow clubs' events · Bringing back the annual President's Ball - thank you to the Durham South club for organizing such a wonderful event this year!

• Bringing back the Regional Awards - thank you, Alwyn McAllen, Regional Awards Chair, for your work on this!

• Provide Gold-level sponsorship to the Ontario Special Olympics Winter Games - thanks to Bruce and Margaret French, Charitable Trust Chair, for helping to make this happen!

Fundraising
Our members were also very busy - as usual - with community service events and fundraising activities.  I'm pleased to announce that our Clubs raised over $230,000 plus approximately 44,000 pounds of food (value - PRICELESS!) for their charities this year. This was done through various events - some of the standard fare, like Bingos, golf tournaments and pancake breakfasts, and other, more innovative events, such as Euchre nights, Halloween Bowling and Christmas and Wine Festival Parades!

Membership
Membership issues - including attracting quality new members - are still challenging us, however I'm happy to report that as of April 30th, the Region enjoyed a net increase of more than 10% in membership this year, and there are now 5 clubs in our region who are back to charter strength of at least 15 members, up from 2 a year ago.  Funding is available from the Central Region for clubs to help with new member recruitment, and all clubs are encouraged to take advantage of it.

Challenges
While there were many wonderful things happening this year, there were, of course, some challenges as well.  Unfortunately, a couple of our clubs are losing their major sources of revenue with their Bingo halls closing.  Members in Central Region and the Regional Board have offered assistance to provide guidance and support during this transitional period.

AGM
Our AGM and wind-up social event (a Tacky Tourist Party!) were held in Pickering, Ontario on June 14th, co-hosted by Toronto Downtown and Toronto Trillium, and with the help of a number of clubs and members, including Durham South and Brampton.  We were also honored by the presence of CJ MacMullin, National President.

At the AGM, the following members were elected to the Regional Board:

• National Vice President: Gary Kisil, Brampton

• Zone Governor, Ontario West and Metro Toronto: John Holman, Brampton

• Zone Governor, Ontario Northeast: Roy Urbach, Richmond Hill (2nd year of a 2-year term)

In addition, the following members were elected as CPCF Governors:

• Margaret French, York Region Women

• Tony Maisano, Richmond Hill

• Ted Soutar, Toronto Downtown

The evening event, with the Tacky Tourist theme, was well attended by almost 50 members and their guests, with some very interesting costumes on display.  Larry Dunlop, President of the St. Catherines club, was unanimously voted as the "Tackiest Tourist", winning a special prize.

Regional Awards
Congratulations to all of the winners of the Regional Awards, which were presented to the following deserving clubs and members:

• Ernest Shand Dedication to Progress Award - Juanita Soutar
  (This award is intended to honour Progressions who have consistently acted as motivational leaders during their membership in the association.)

• George Christie Award - Karen Mrkonjic
  (This award is designed to honour members of Progress who have contributed consistently to Progress and the Central Region for five years or more.)

• Min Nishino Community Service Award - Toronto Downtown

• Fellowship Award - Brampton

• Club of the Year - Brampton

I wish to extend heartfelt thanks to the Central Region Board and Members for their hard work, dedication and commitment this year; we all look forward to another successful year with excitement and anticipation.