Winter 2005 Canadian Corner

Canadian Corner
By Wendy Nichols, AER Canadian Representative

With Canadian Thanksgiving just behind us, and American Thanksgiving coming up in a few weeks, I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you about all the reasons I have to be thankful for AER.

People often ask me why I continue to encourage membership in AER, being that we are Canadian and a very small part of the overall membership. As Canadian AER members, we have been fortunate to have dedicated and outspoken advocates for Canadians on the International Board, which has resulted in our voices being heard, and our mission being fulfilled. The opening of the Canadian AER office was a result of the Canadian Committee, which recommended a part time presence in Canada, to mirror the advocacy and administrative efforts being put forth by our colleagues in the Alexandria office. I am thankful that we have such wonderful staff working on behalf of our Canadian (and U.S.) membership. Thank you John Martin, and Anna DeSimone, Canadian office pair extraordinaire!

I also want to thank the dedicated board members in Ontario, with whom I have spent many hours, meeting, planning, hosting, envelope-stuffing, accounting, and befriending. I don't think I'd have stayed with the Ontario Board for ten years without such a great bunch of people around me! Thank you Sue Howe, Sue Blackford, Carole Williams, John Martin, Mary Maureen Atkin, Christine Robertson, Cheryl Richesin, Pauline Bevers, Ann Plotkin, Bev Ginou, Nancy Dunbar-Sogan, and all those who have served to make AER what it is in Ontario. From Elaine Todd in British Columbia to Ann MacCuspie and Jennifer Shields in Nova Scotia, I see willing and capable professionals giving back to their professions and making us all proud! We all worked together to make AER 2002, in Toronto, one of AER's most successful international conferences. What a tapestry we wove! Here's to all of you, and Vince and Linda, too!

I want to commend the International Board Members who have served along with me. AER is fortunate to have so many die-hard leaders, working on behalf of you, the membership. I consider myself blessed to have been able to represent Canada, dealing with people who are always willing to include our needs despite our minority. Thanks to Billy, Elaine, Greg, and Sandy, for your leadership, and to Nora, Julie, Tim, Martha, Margaret, Jay, Pat, Suzie, Sharon, FM, Marie, John, Grace, Tom, Tanni, Dona, Sandra, Carol, and Blue. It has been an honour to be working side-by side with all of you, and to call many of you my friends as well as my colleagues.

Lastly, I wanted to thank the staff at AER, who are ALWAYS working hard, and usually doing it with a pleasant and professional manner. Thank you Barb, Paul, Lorna, George, and John - you are awesome, and AER is lucky to have you all working for us.

Before I sign off (and thank you for reading my 'corner'!) I wanted to go back to my summer article, where I had intended to highlight the need for increased communication, collaboration, and advocacy between AER and CNIB, so we could collectively approach our governments for increased funding for services. I did not mean to imply that CNIB cut-backs were responsible for the accident that occurred while someone was waiting for O&M service. I apologize for that miscommunication, and look forward to working closely with Jane Parsard at CNIB, as we search for solutions together.

I believe in AER, I support AER, and I thank you for supporting your professional association. Happy Thanksgiving!