From the Editor's Desk

By Sharon Ward
Director of Communications
  

WOW! What a response for the Jan/Feb issue.  We have been busy little bees out there in our communities, haven’t we?  I have to admit that putting out a 21 page Progression was not part of my plans in my tenure.  Keep it concise and readable, I said.  Well, it may not be concise, but it is certainly readable!  It is truly heartwarming to read about what all you fine folks are up to.  And the joy you feel when you participate comes across loud and strong. This is a very feel-good issue.

One of the threads that I see through the reports is that the 8 Minimum Standards seems to have caught on like wildfire.  There is a sense of renewed vitality right across the country.  I know for a fact that my own club, Halifax-Cornwallis, has stepped up our community service participation, due directly to the standards.  We have, because of this, found opportunities to help out in many new and smaller ways, and along the road, we are discovering that the fellowship side of our activities is getting stronger.  We feel the spark.  I invite clubs to write to me before our next issue, to tell me how you have received the 8 Minimum Standards, and if you have seen or felt a change within your club.

The cover story for this issue is about the amazing Helping Hands efforts of the Calgary North club.  What is interesting about this particular article is that we get to see the evolution of an event as it grows and goes through the inevitable twists and changes that are part of the process.  For the benefit of other clubs who may want to try this event on for size in your own area, Calgary North has sent files to webmaster Barb Clarke for the website.

You may notice that the regional reports are no longer bunched together.  And the National Board reports are in the back now.  It makes for a more lively read, and may possibly lure some who might read only about their region to have a look at other areas.

Again, I encourage comments and criticism, so write already!

Apologies to those who sent pictures that have not appeared here. Some low resolution photos that are placed in Microsoft Word docs just do not come out right so I cannot use them.  Please send the original digital photos separately from the Word files.

Remember, the next deadline is March 4, so start writing.

Yours for Progress,
Sharon Ward