Member Services Update

By Marci Brisbourne
2004-2005 National Director of Member Services 
  

As a member of Regina Assiniboine many, many awesome, enlightening, challenging, and learning experiences have enriched my life.  Now, as the Director of Member Services, I eagerly anticipate many more moments of awe, enlightenment, challenge and learning in the next two years.  I look forward to working with and for the National Board as together we strive to serve all Progressians and to the greater success of Progress.

As an organization, one way that we recognize individual and club success is through the National Awards Program.  Ideally, all clubs and their members should be recognized for their dedication.  And while, it may not be realistic to expect that come next July, I will have received award submissions from each of our 36 clubs, I will work to that end.  In the very near future, I will be calling on the Presidents of those clubs who have in the recent past chosen not to participate in the reward program to find out why and what is needed to warrant your participation.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again, the awards process—putting down on paper the actions taken to better the lives of those in our communities—allows us—forces us—to reflect in black and white, on what accomplishments we have achieved within a year of Progress.  Take the time; make the effort to honor your members with a National accolade.  Maybe it will breed greater triumphs for your members not only within the confines of your Progress club but in their personal and professional lives as well.

While my energy may focus greatly on awards, and certainly working with the convention committees for the 2005 convention in my home province, Saskatchewan and the 2006 St. John’s convention, I am also here with the much appreciated support of our national administrator to serve your needs with the National Supply House.  If any questions or concerns exist in this area, please do not hesitate to call. I know that Glenn and Carmel have undertaken to complete an inventory directory and price list of supply house items that should be completed soon.

And speaking of Glenn and Carmel: thanks to Glenn Montgomery, my predecessor and our national administrator Carmel Kinder for answering the many (!) questions that arise as I wade through the responsibilities of my new role.

I look forward to the answers that will come from you, fellow Progressians, in the months ahead as we work together to ensure that all clubs and members receive the recognition that they greatly deserve: the awards ceremony in Saskatoon next September could be—should be— will be— representative of all clubs’ outstanding achievements and tireless energies.  That is my dream.

“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” —Christopher Reeve

From now until I bid each of you a hardy Prairie welcome at convention next year, dream big!

Yours for Progress,
Marci.