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Rob's Blog AGM, Zoom and Sharing the Vision Paul Fournier and Rob Adams

Hello!

My sunroof is open. I repeat my sunroof is OPEN!!! After a few straight days of sunshine and warm weather, I have been sun-kissed from driving with my sunroof open. Finally, I think the cold weather and snow is behind us.

This week I participated in the YMCA Canada AGM, and "virtually" met with many of my colleagues, board chairs and other volunteers from across Canada. I was also given the opportunity to help facilitate and represent our association during the Young Leaders conference. This experience was a great opportunity to really see how we may want to enter the post COVID-19 world in terms of serving vulnerable youth. We need to look at how we can utilize technology and the virtual world moving forward, and use it to complement what we do.

As we entered another week of offering emergency childcare services in Brockville with an increased enrollment, I was happy to have a virtual Zoom meeting with childcare staff from Kingston. It was great to see such familiar faces!

As this weekend looks to be a great one, please remember to follow the advice of our local health experts. Enjoy the outdoors, but let's stay vigilant in our habits of self-isolation and physical distancing.

Jean, Declan, and I plan on enjoying the backyard, roast a few marshmallows, and maybe get our first paddleboard ride in. 

Next Week, I have a few ZOOM meetings: our scheduled  board meeting on Tuesday and meetings of our Youth Advisory and Social Recovery Task Force, just to name a few. But the one I'm really looking forward to is our second all staff "Share the Vision" meeting.   

In sadder news, the Y lost a long-time supporter and one of the founders of the Brockville YMCA and Area Foundation this week. Paul Fournier was totally committed to his community. On a very personal note, I wish to share my utmost appreciation for Paul and the guidance and mentoring I received as I entered my journey as a YMCA CEO. He and his friends took me under their wings quickly and taught me so much in a very short period of time. Thank you, Paul. My sincere condolences go out to his family and dearest friends. 

To each of you, I think of you often, and when I do, I hope that each of you is managing as well as you can.

Have a great weekend and treat yourself to an ice cream! I will be.

Rob