President's Message - September 2005
This is my first message and yes, I am nervous - English was never my best subject in high school. I hope everyone had a safe and fun-filled summer. (Man, was it hot! My poor old head can¹t take much more sun.)
I have always liked the statement by U.S. President John F. Kennedy, which I have modified slightly: ³Ask not what your association can do for you, but ask what you can do for your association.² I hope you will come out and support what I feel is a tremendous association. What better way to meet your peers at one of the seminars to be held in November, January (at the trade show) and April.
This year our association celebrates its diamond anniversary (75 years), and it will be an exciting year. Our kickoff party in October will be at the Westin-Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto, and will be held in conjunction with our past presidents¹ night. Entertainment for the night will be the comedian Ron James. So please come out and support the evening.
Not only is the association turning 75, but this is the first time in our association¹s history that the Thunder Bay chapter will be holding the Out-of-Town Meeting. This is a very enthusiastic chapter that has supported all of our events in southern Ontario. I hope everyone will show the same support. Look in upcoming issues of WP for further information.
Spencer Bailey is now our past president, and I would like to thank him personally for his input and wise words. Spencer does not like to talk about himself, but those who know him know he is a very committed individual.
Three of our chapter delegates will not be returning this year: Lori
Quibell, Thousand Islands, Mike Cowan, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Bob
Carscadden, Northern Ontario. All three will be missed, but not forgotten.
I would like to welcome our new delegates, Rose Mutch, Thousand Islands, Elizabeth Stotts, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Blair Boilard, Northern Ontario.
In Toronto, we have Kim Cameron, Brett Colville and Pat Van Bakel returning.
Our new Toronto delegate is Rod Greyling. Rod has been involved in the OIAA before and will be an asset.
This past summer I had the pleasure of attending the Thunder Bay golf tournament on July 15 with Laurie Walker. A thank-you has to go out Frank Castaldo, Geoff Sullivan and the rest of the chapter for their northern Ontario hospitality. Once again, it was great fun.
On July 21, Norman McGlashan, Marie Gallagher and Spencer Bailey attended the Ottawa chapter¹s golf tournament. (With all of this golfing, you would think I would be getting good by now!) All kidding aside, it was a fun day; thank you to our hosts.
I look forward to being your President in 2005-2006. Just remember, I am but a phone call or e-mail away.