e x e c uti v e d i r e c t o r ’ s m es s ag e S
urviving and thriving while recovering from the impacts of the global pandemic feels a bit like one big collective stretch goal. For more than a year now, the pandemic has forced many to stretch way beyond their perceived limits, both professionally and personally. For the association, the first virtual annual conference last year was a huge stretch goal for this small two-person team. The monumental effort was rewarded on so many fronts. It supported our members early in the pandemic by providing the only opportunity that we had to come together at the time. We
As we close out another successful virtual conference, we want to say a big thank you to all of you who stretched past your perceived limits to attend, engage, and present in yet one more virtual event to make this year’s conference even more successful than last year’s. We know that we are still in precarious times, we hoped that the conference—for a moment or two—provided a reprieve from the “new normal”. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of our members, sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers for their support of and engagement in the conference programming and social events.
From left to right: Best Cat Co-worker, Best Dog Co-worker, Best Work from Home Staging
were able to leverage what was learned to deliver virtual Boot Camp and Fall PD programs. For this year’s conference, the stretch goal was to deliver an even more engaging conference program and events. We added micro-learning sessions and social events to an already full program and upped our social media and marketing game to increase awareness and participation. 4 | GFOABC.CA
To the speakers, we are eternally grateful for your time and expertise. This year’s donation in lieu of speaker’s gifts went to the YMCA-YWCA Vancouver Island’s Camp Thunderbird. Thank you to Board members, Lenora Lee and Rianna Lachance, for presenting this year’s donation to the Y’s CEO, Derek Gent. We are happy for the opportunity to give back to the community.
