RI: Your Assurance of Excellence

Brenda Southam

In the late 1990s, I began working in a not-forprofit organization in Saskatchewan—I really enjoyed the work. In the 20 years since, I have been an association executive.

When I realized I was destined for the not-for-profit world, I continued educating myself—I earned a Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Saskatchewan and the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the Canadian Society of Association Executives.

As I began to understand the governance of not-forprofits more thoroughly, I worked with a mentor, Tom Abbott Sr., owner of AMC – Association Management Consulting. Also a CAE, Tom envisioned a world with a different type of governance—one where the Board and the CEO work side-by-side, not in a hierarchy. Of course we all know the CEO reports to the Board but, if those professionals work side-by-side, they create the best possible organization. When governed well, it is a good organization. You can see it . . . • in the way things are done, • in what is projected to the public, and • in the relationship between the Board and the CEO.

Tom passed away a number of years ago and his son TJ took the reins of the company. TJ trains governance; I have had the opportunity to train with him and it was a great experience! Back when I started at REIBC, I thought I knew what real estate was all about . . . I knew many

At an RI event, you can realtors. There are, however, so usually meet every person many different professions within you require to complete that realm. a real estate deal. I have been the EO of the Real Estate Institute of BC (REIBC) since 2007 and enjoy every moment of it. I work with a group of people who are professional and hold the highest degree of integrity—I am grateful for that each day. The membership of the REIBC is comprised of real estate professionals from all areas of real estate . . . they are appraisers, analysts, Notaries, lawyers, developers, property managers, and property negotiators, to name just a few. My career here at the Institute has been very rewarding. The diverse professionals all do something a little different, It’s a great education for me and, after almost 15 years, I am still learning what they all do. They teach me every day . . . • what it is to be positive, • to be all-in on something, and • to have passion about what they do.