It seems that we celebrate more when the weather is warm. Whether you are at a wedding or just having a simple BBQ in your backyard, we all seem to be more open to finding pleasure in the moment during the summer.
As a chapter we have much to celebrate. The 2005 SLA Annual Conference was a huge success. Our chapter played a significant role in helping more than 5300 colleagues feel welcome, comfortable and entertained during their stay. I have received several emails offering thanks for the Do North: Guide to Toronto, the conference website and advice offered at the Toronto information booth. I wish to extend my gratitude to Mary Hum and Kolette Taber for their leadership of the Local Arrangements Committee. Everyone on the committee worked very hard to ensure the Toronto chapter shone brightly.
Heather Wilson deserves special recognition for her outstanding efforts in organizing the Toronto information booth. If you were at the conference you noticed that she was always at the booth and with a smile! She did a heroic job of recruiting, training and organizing the dozens of volunteers required to man the booth. This was a job of gathering all of the tourism literature, door prizes and the graphic design for our signs. It was no small feat and she did it graciously and enthusiastically.
Pam Rollo presented her vision as the new association president. Her message to us was full of excitement, determination and optimism. It is clear, that as a group, we can look forward to innovation and forward momentum. Several new task forces are being established and a call for volunteers will be put out in the near future. Pam has challenged each chapter to find 1% of its membership to serve in some way at the national level. I know as a chapter we have many talented people with a great deal to offer. I hope that more than 1% of you will respond when the call is made.
Another aspect of Pam’s vision includes more recognition of our membership. I couldn’t agree more, particularly because our chapter membership is so diverse and interesting. I would be delighted to hear from anyone with an idea for an award or for nominees deserved of recognition. I am hoping to create several new awards this year and look to your input for inspiration.
We have another reason to celebrate. We now have more than 500 members in our chapter. If you recently joined, welcome! I hope you will continue to receive the benefits of membership beyond the annual conference. I look to you to tell us ways to keep you engaged. This is your association so please speak up and get your money’s worth.
In closing, I’d like to send a personal congratulation to Gayle Kiss. Early in July she became Gayle Gossen. I had the privilege of attending her very beautiful wedding on Salt Spring Island. I am sure I speak for the Chapter when I wish her and her new husband all the best.
Laura Knapp
