Forum President’s Message – May 2017
Here Comes The Sun
I’m writing this message on a cold, gray day in late April. It’s raining. But there’s a soft, green haze of brand-new leaves appearing on the trees, the magnolia buds are about to burst, and the cheerful yellow forsythia bushes are trumpeting the arrival of spring.
Don’t blink. It’s entirely possible that by the time you read this, our short Ontario spring will be over and we’ll be launched into the heat of summer. Hurrah! Summer brings the Summer Summit, my favourite professional development event of the year. Trillium’s Winter and Summer Summits continue to grow from strength to strength. They offer high-quality education sessions mixed with engaging social and networking events in an amazing setting. What’s not to love?
The Summer Summit has the added advantage of being in July, so there’s no snow to navigate on your trip to the venue (though getting snowed-in during the Winter Summit in 2013 only added to the camaraderie these events foster). If you haven’t already signed up for the Summer Summit at Nottawasaga Inn Resort, I encourage you to do so as quickly as possible – there’s simply no better value for your education budget.
There’s no doubt that Trillium’s Summits are fantastic, but they’re only one way we seek to engage you, our members, and support you in your professional lives. We are always looking for new ways to provide value and help you navigate the changing environment we all work in. To that end, we will soon be reaching out to ask you what more we can do for you. What’s working? What isn’t? What products, services and events can we add, change or update to better equip you for the challenges you face in your organization?
In the next few weeks, you will be receiving a link to the Trillium Member Satisfaction Survey. Please take a few minutes to let us know – honestly – how we’re doing and how we can improve. Feedback from our members has been instrumental to the ongoing development and modification of Trillium’s activities over the years. We need your insight and ideas to ensure that we’re putting our time, energy and resources where they can create the most value for all of our colleagues working in the association, charity and not-for-profit sectors.
Thanks in advance for your help – have a wonderful summer!
– Valerie Browne, CAE
