Well it’s that time of year again – time to bring the 2009 – 2010 Chapter year to a close and begin our planning for the 2010 – 2011 ARMA Chapter year. Thank you to all of our members that continue to support the ARMA Southwestern Ontario Chapter.

2009 – 2010 has been a busy, successful and fun year. It was highlighted by our Chapter hosting the 2010 ARMA Canada Conference in London on May 30th to June 2nd and culminating on June 22nd with the Chapter’s Annual Planning Meeting, followed by some social/networking time immediately before the Chapter’s Annual General Meeting. The Chapter has also seen an approximately 21% increase in Chapter membership this year.

A special thank you to all of the Board members for the contributions you have made over this past year. We have one long term Board member who will not be returning to the Board next year, one new Chapter and Board member, one returning Board member, and some shuffling of positions within the Board contingent from this year to next.

• Special thanks and warm wishes to ‘retiring’ Board member, Steve Yarkovsky. Steve has served on the Board since July 2002. He was Chapter President in 2004-05 and 2009-10, which of course means he was also President-Elect and Past President on both sides of those years as President. Steve also served as Program/Education Director. His contributions to the Board and to the Chapter have been numerous and his positive support of the ARMA SWO Chapter has been truly appreciated.
• Special welcome to Lorie Hough, a new Chapter and Board member. A brief introduction from Lorie is included with this Newsletter.
• A welcome back to Valdene Wager, returning to the Board as Secretary, following a rewarding and successful engagement with the ARMA Canada Region as Central Region Coordinator.
• And welcome back and thank you to the 2010 – 2011 ARMA SWO Board of Directors.

My involvement with the ARMA Southwestern Ontario Chapter – as a Chapter member, as a member of the Board, and as a member of the 2010 ARMA Canada Region Host Chapter Committee - has helped me to grow personally and professionally. I strongly encourage more of our members to take an active role on committees and also think about participating on the Board at sometime during your careers. Also remember that one of the strengths of your membership is the exceptional network of people with whom you can connect to assist you as you move forward within your careers.

Mark your calendar: September 29, 2010 – ARMA SWO Chapter’s Education Event

Parting Thought: You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun. - Al Capone

By Wendy Francis