Volume X, Number 3 – October  2007

A Change Will Do You Good 

It’s hard to believe that 5 months has passed since the 2007 AGM in Ottawa. Where exactly did the summer go? Then again it hasn’t exactly left us yet, around here the summer temperatures continue to remain even though we are well into the month of October.

They say change, although it can be a scary thing - is a good thing. It is defined as “to transform or convert”. In the past several months our organization itself has been experiencing many of its own transformations and conversions.   

Our staff continues to see changes occur. In July, Lee Arbon joined the national staff as the Manager of Marketing & Communications. Lee has a wide array of marketing experience including, politics, the hospitality industry as well as working for a public relations firm. A fresh set of eyes and new ideas into how to market to members and potential members will help produce a strong membership nucleus that will continue to grow.

Jessie Yam, our Education Coordinator of 5 years departed to focus her career in a new direction, and we wish her well on her adventure. The departure allowed Kitty Mach to take over as the new Education Coordinator. Kitty’s experience of assisting the education department for the past year will surely help her achieve greatness within her new role. Kitty’s promotion has allowed Jenna Elliot to become the newest individual to join our staff on an in-term basis as our Education, Membership and Administrative Assistant.

This staff is solid – they have a desire to improve REIC and are willing to put in the effort to do so. They join a team that exudes passion, determination, dedication and are eager to help. If you need assistance please contact us at the national office and we will be happy to assist you with your enquiry.

In September, REIC gravitated towards change again when it held a strategic planning session in Toronto. I will not go into great details about the results of this experience, as you can read more about this session in the article in this issue. I am extremely proud with the results that were achieved over the two-day event and once the final strategic plan is approved by the board before the end of the year I am eager to see where it will take this organization and the results it will produce.

The change in software to our membership database has also produced a positive result for REIC. Since its inception in the early summer, the staff has been learning the in-and-outs of the new database and the best ways to use it to REIC’s advantage. Updating member histories, quick and efficient member communication and powerful marketing outreach to potential members are all benefits that we have come to know and love while learning this challenging software. Once we learn the entire ramifications that this software can offer REIC, we will use it to help us improve our organization in all aspects.

Like I said before, change is scary. Yet all the transformations that have been happening around here have been providing a positive impact on the future of our organization. They are changes that I feel no doubt make our organization stronger, better and ready to face off against many of the challenges we need to combat in order to move forward. These changes are making the next few years look like some of the best in the history of REIC – which is a very good thing.
 

Maura McLaren

Executive Director

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