April Message from President Sandy Evans

 

Okay - everyone stretch, yawn and look at the amazing spring ahead of us! It is exciting to see our JFW activities ramping up! While we continue to be vigilant with COVID precautions, it is encouraging to see clubs and regions finding safe ways to gather, play and learn. AJ too has been working on coming back to our amazing programming. Event teams and committees across the province have been working on PT Cruisers, AC Graduation and Summer Outreach. And, the promise of National Camp 2023 -- next year!!! Just like trees in my yard, we are starting to bud out.

Much has happened this past year with AJ. AGM planning is well underway. Notice was sent to members via last month's Tree Mail. Please continue to remind your fellow members that this meeting is online and requires registration by April 27, 2022.

Amazing People Changes:

As of the AGM, our interim positions will change. Debra Wathen will be stepping down from her role as interim Secretary. The Board will be appointing a new interim Secretary for the 2022/23 year. Brett Schonekess will be stepping down as interim Treasurer as the position of Treasurer will be up for vote at the AGM this year. We owe Brett and Debra a very big thank you for their commitment to getting us through this past year! They both not only fulfilled the status quo in their roles, but made significant contributions to our Executive team, all the while juggling their already busy commitments in other aspects of JFW.

Vicky Hill has moved into her new role as Membership Director, and will be stepping down as Vice President at the AGM. This means we will be electing two Executive positions at the AGM: Treasurer and Vice President. According to our Bylaws, past and current Board members are eligible for nomination. If there are no nominations, then at the AGM we will be calling for members from the floor. Please consider stepping forward, and/or talking with fellow members who fit the skill set for these positions.

We are also seeing a change in our Administrator this April. Jennifer Howitt has been the stable face and contact of AJFWA through these crazy COVID years. She has been the go-to for all manner of resources for prospective members, clubs, the Board and for the Executive. It is hard to imagine JFW let alone the office running without her! She will continue to be a committed part of JFW with plans to get involved in some of our committees, and of course to join in upcoming events. We will be announcing our new administrative officer very soon and are excited to welcome them.

It all happens at the AGM. We will be gathering online again this year for the AGM. Come find out the details of what we have been up to behind the scenes and help make JFW stronger going into this new year. Once again -- because we are online, attendees must register ahead of time. Register for the AGM and Special GM before April 27, 2022. See you there!

Sandy