Welcome everyone to the first issue of The Scoop for 2014! This is an exciting year for APRA-Canada. In addition to our participation in the first annual APRA International Education Week (10 – 20 February, 2014) with a Twitter Talk moderated by Sarah McCarthy of the Ivey Business School, Western University, we have our much anticipated APRA-Canada Conference from 15 – 17 October, 2014 at the Courtyard Marriott in Toronto.
Thank you to everyone who attended our first Annual General Meeting (AGM) via teleconference on 5 February 2014, under our new by-laws which are now found on the APRA-Canada website. Attendees at the AGM (excluding board members) were eligible for a draw to win a free APRA-Canada webinar registration for 2014 and a free APRA-Canada membership for 2014-2015. Congratulations to Ashley Shifflett McBrayne, University of Guelph, for being the winner!
In November 2013, we held our Board elections. Thank you to all of the nominees who participated and please join me in welcoming your new board directors and executives for 2013-2014:
- President: Tracey Church
- Treasurer & Vice-President: Marcia Steeves
- Secretary: Caitlin McLellan
- Director, Communications: Melody Song
- Director, Professional Development: Whymark Austen
- Director, Membership: Gretchen Wintermeyer
- Director, Regional Reps: Melissa Young
- Director, External Relations: Arlene Manning
- Director, Mentorship: Shannon Doherty
Thank you again to all of our previous board members, notably Mark Neilans, Julie Linkletter, Liz Rejman, Shelly Steenhorst-Baker and Erin Bartok, all of whom have put in many hours, and years, of dedicated service.
APRA Canada - International Activity
It should be noted that several APRA-Canada members are currently serving in various positions with APRA International. They are:
- Liz Rejman, APRA International Board of Directors and the Ethics Committee
- Amy McKinnon and Melody Song, APRA International Conference Committee
- Preeti Gill, Connections Editorial Advisory Committee
- Arlene Manning, APRA International Chapters Collaboration Committee
I am also a member of the Board Nominations Committee and have been attending bi-monthly APRA Presidents’ meetings and the annual APRA Presidents’ Summit to discuss better collaboration between APRA International and its Chapters.
This past year, APRA International has made its publication “Connections” available electronically to all chapters’ members, regardless of membership with APRA International, and attendance for APRA Education Week sessions is free.
Tracey Church
President, APRA Canada
Senior Consultant, Research & Analytics
Ketchum Canada Inc.