3 minute read
CEO, BC NOTARIES ASSOCIATION
New Year . . . New Strategic Priorities!
Chad Rintoul
Getting your message out is difficult at the best of times.
In COVID times, how do we cope? As CEO of a professional association, I have been wrestling with that challenge.
As someone who has never met a microphone he doesn’t like, it has been a struggle to feel connected with members and stakeholders in this environment. I’ve been reminded this year, and probably for the better, that communicating is very much a two-way street!
As much as presenters of information need to be engaging, there is increased onus on the recipient of the information to stay connected.
In that regard, I have reacquainted myself with the telephone. That device can be used as a vehicle for voice transmission and as a listening instrument—not solely as a mechanism to communicate with my teenage children by text message!
There is something quaint about being able to have a conversation without checking my hair, having to straighten my tie, or spending 20 minutes looking for a parking spot. Yes, the telephone has enabled some productive conversations in a very personal manner.
At times we still need to cast the net fairly wide when communicating and reaching out to members with notices or survey requests.
But please don’t get discouraged— there is a lot of important information in a Notice to Members or our Partner Newsletters. • Roll up your sleeves, open that email, and get engaged. • Read the information or participate in the survey so we can have your valued input.
I would also suggest attaching your name to your feedback. My guess is that will lead to a more constructive and respectful process and you will feel very much a part of your association.
The BCNA has just completed a very important member consultation process; we surveyed British Columbia Notaries and partner organizations for insight on Strategic Planning for the 2021 to 2023 period. That feedback has been distilled to find common themes; the Board, along with participants from geographically underrepresented areas of the province, met virtually to work through your input to set priorities for the next 3 years.
A Strategic Plan is like a road map. It is an important tool for management so the Association doesn’t go off course and risk getting too far from its intended destination or goals.
©iStockphoto.com/Umkehrer
But like any road map, there may be more than one way to reach a destination. COVID has thrown a few twists and turns into all our lives, but we learn and adapt, and so it will be with our new Strategic Plan.
The BCNA will continue to advocate, educate, and promote the Notary profession. Our continued success won’t be without the support of our stakeholders and sponsors.
If you represent a sector looking to provide information on your products and services to the legal community of BC Notaries, please reach out to the BCNA to see how we can work together to build the profile of your organization. Those relationships are essential to our mutual success.
While not many of us will be sad to see 2020 in the rear-view mirror, there will still be many challenges ahead. We must continue to be patient as we cope safely in the COVID-19 environment.
I look forward to sharing our new Strategic Plan with you in the near future. I remain optimistic that if we continue to support one another, we can ensure that Notaries will continue to succeed in providing legal services in a safe and accessible manner to British Columbians.
My best wishes to you for a Healthy and Happy New Year.
Feel free to give me a call if you want to test your telephone!
