From the President's Desk

By Juanita Soutar
2004-2005 National President
   

Hello, fellow Progressians!  Like you, the National Board has been busy in the past couple of months.  As reported in the last issue of The Progression, National Board meetings were held the last weekend in January.  The meeting was very productive and we were able to get through our jam-packed agenda.  I’m pleased to report on the highlights of the meeting.

First of all, John Holman, member of the Brampton Club and current Zone Governor for the Ontario West & Metro Toronto Zone, was appointed National Vice President for the Central Region, replacing Gary Kisil, who resigned from the position in January, due to personal and health reasons.  We thank Gary for his service and wish him well.

We have established a Roles and Responsibilities Committee, who will be involved with reviewing the current mandates of each of the National Board members and the National Club Administrator, and making recommendations to better define the duties applicable to each.

The Board also approved the funding for a number of enhancements to the National website and the Member Communication System (MCS), including: adding online tracking of payments and receivables owing to National and the CPCF, online tracking of National awards submissions, and online convention registration (which can be available for use by National and Regions).  You can now also find National Convention Protocol Guidelines in Section 5 of the online Blue Book, and a new Event Planning Guide has been added to the Member Services section, to inspire and help clubs develop similar fund-raising events in their own areas.

In a previous issue of The Progression, I talked about our desire to put a program in place to formally recognize the ongoing support of our valued corporate partners.  At the President’s Ball hosted by the York Region Women’s club on the Saturday evening of our meetings, I had the privilege of presenting a Friend of Progress plaque to Dave Williams, Director, Central Canada, of Staples Business Depot.  This presentation was to thank Staples for their generous product and service support of our past four National Conventions, which has been valued at approximately $50,000.  We are also working to identify additional opportunities to strengthen and enhance our partnership with the Staples organization and other similar supporters.

The National Vice Presidents also reported on the level that our clubs are meeting the 8 Standards of Success.  While there are a number of clubs who are meeting all or most of the standards, there are opportunities for improvement for others.  Your Zone Governors and NVPs are available to work with you on those areas to help ensure the ongoing viability of your club - please contact them for assistance.

We have also notified all club Presidents that the National Board is requesting bids from clubs to host the 2007 National Convention.  Interested clubs are asked to send their submissions to Carmel in the National Office no later than May 15, 2005.  The National Board will review all submissions and if there is more than one bid received, clubs presenting viable bids will be asked to make a presentation to all members at the convention in Saskatoon, and a vote will be held to select the 2007 convention host.

Finally, we have evaluated our options for obtaining premises for our National Office and are currently negotiating with Ontario Special Olympics and Special Olympics Canada for new space.  This process has taken longer than anticipated, but it’s important that we secure a suitable arrangement that will be beneficial to us and our future.  We look forward to reporting on the outcome of our National Office search to you shortly.

Just a few days after the Board meetings, I was on my way east to attend the Halifax Club’s Annual Sports Celebrity Dinner in support of the Kingsmeadow Home.  Along with the honour of saying Grace at the gala, I had an opportunity to spend time with the special residents of the Home, which was at least as much fun and rewarding as meeting the celebrities, including Darcy Tucker, Kelly Hrudey, Spud Webb, Damon Allen, Bruce Smith, Rod Black, and very funny comedian Derek Edwards.  I wish to thank Halifax Club President Steve Murphy for the invitation to this wonderful event, and CJ and Arlene MacMullin for their hospitality at “the Presidential Suite”.  I also wish to thank club President Kathy Grose and the members of the Halifax Cornwallis board for allowing me to attend their meeting while I was there.  I appreciate the opportunity to get better acquainted with all of you and to find out more about the worthwhile projects you’re involved in.  I’m sure you’re all preparing for the upcoming elections at the club and regional level.  In addition, elections will be held for the following positions on the National Board this September: National President Elect, Director of Finance (Secretary Treasurer), Director of Communications and Director of Public Relations.  Please consider running for one of the positions available - becoming involved helps you and our club grow and flourish.

Until next time, take care and have fun!
Juanita