It’s September and the start of another busy academic year! We hope each and every one of you created some wonderful memories this summer and that the new semester is off to an excellent start for you.

Our network of individuals contributing to CICan member institutions as Board and/or President’s Office professionals continues to gain momentum. A communication to Presidents in the spring to raise awareness, assisted by CICan’s President Denise Amyot, helped to boost our numbers. Here’s a warm welcome to our newest members:

Lisa, Executive Assistant President & CEO, Northern Lakes College

Kerry, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO, Lethbridge College

Kathy, Executive Assistant to the Board, Medicine Hat College

Amanda, Executive Assistant, Executive Office, Medicine Hat College

Holly, Administrative Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Durham College

Kailen, Executive Assistant to the Board of Governors, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Rachel, Executive Assistant to the Board of Governors, North Island College

Here’s to a great year ahead for all our members!

At the April 30, 2017 GPOP Annual General Meeting, members approved a brand new Mission Statement for our professional group. The Mission Statement speaks to the expertise of governance and president’s office professionals, and the value of membership for both members and their institutions. It will also provide focus and direction for our organization as we grow and move forward. The Mission Statement reads: GPOP is dedicated to elevating the level of expertise held by governance and president’s office professionals in Canadian post-secondary education institutions. It provides networking, mentoring and other professional development opportunities that benefit individual members and their institutions.

The Mission Statement can be found at gpop.ca under the “About” tab.

“Tell me the facts and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.” Native American Proverb

Heather Allaby, Community and Government Relations Advisor at New Brunswick Community College, was the keynote speaker at the GPOP annual conference in Ottawa last month. As part of her presentation on “Connections that Count: Positioning Board and Presidents’ Offices for Strong Media, Government, and Community Relations,” Heather shared her expertise in using the art of storytelling to connect with audiences. You can access the complete presentation and storytelling tool here.

Some exciting news was shared at this year’s GPOP annual general meeting in Ottawa! Board Chair, Jenny Forestell, announced the establishment of the Hicks Morley Fellowship, which will provide $1,000 per year for five years (starting in 2018) and aid one GPOP member in attending our annual conference and AGM. Our sincere appreciation to Hicks Morley for their support and commitment to our professional group. Kudos to Cheryl McMurray (Fanshawe College) for her initiative in proposing the Fellowship and seeing it through. Special thanks to Catherine Finlayson, Executive Director, Advancement & Alumni at Fanshawe College Foundation, and Robert J. Atkinson, Partner, Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP, for their key roles in creating this Fellowship.

Two members of GPOP were presented with Awards of Excellence at the April 30th AGM. Shelagh Donnelly, College Secretary, Douglas College, was presented with the Award for Distinguished Service, and Cheryl McMurray, Executive Assistant, Office of the President, Fanshawe College, was presented with the Award for Professional Achievement. Congratulations to both these admin professionals. Well deserved!

Jenny Forestell, GPOP Board Chair (L)

Shelagh Donnelly, Douglas College (R)

Cheryl McMurray, Fanshawe College (L)

Jenny Forestell, GPOP Board Chair (R)

Everything you need to know about this weekend’s GPOP conference and AGM can be found on the GPOP website. Click on AGMs and Conferences and hover your cursor over 2017 – Ottawa, ON. This will provide a drop-down menu where you’ll find detailed information on Saturday evening’s networking reception, Sunday’s conference and AGM, keynote speaker, breakout session topics and AGM proxy form. You can even see who will be attending! You’ll also find some handy conference travel tips, like remembering to pack an evening outfit for the Gala if you’re staying for the full CICan conference (red and white is encouraged this year in recognition of Canada’s 150th).

Safe travels to all those attending. Enjoy the conference and your time in Ottawa!

The agenda package for our April 30th Annual General Meeting has now been posted! Members may download the agenda package by clicking here. Note that this is a password protected document. The password is the same city and year reference provided when you were first given access to the site. You’ll also find a Proxy Vote Form for those who are unable to attend the AGM, but who wish to be heard.

Please take a few minutes to review the agenda package. Your contributions to GPOP are not limited to your ability to attend conferences in person, and members are encouraged to take an active role for the benefit of all.

Looking forward to seeing many of you in Ottawa!

In case you missed it, the agenda for our Sunday, April 30th GPOP conference and AGM  is now available on our website! Highlights of the day include keynote speaker Heather Allaby, Community and Government Relations Advisor, NBCC; presentation of the 2017 GPOP awards; and dedicated time for discussions and sharing of best practices.  You’ll also find information on the website regarding Saturday night’s opening networking reception, keynote speaker, and how to register.

The AGM agenda package will be posted by April 14th. In the meantime, feel free to direct any related questions to the Conference & Professional Development Committee:

• Marlene Beaulieu:  beaulieum@cnc.bc.ca
• Nicole Blanchette: nicole.blanchette@norquest.ca
• Cheryl McMurray: cmcmurray@fanshawec.ca

We look forward to seeing you in Ottawa!

GPOP’s 2017 AGM and conference will once again be held in our nation’s capital prior to CICan’s annual conference. Plans are in the works for a networking reception on Sat. April 29th, and AGM/conference sessions on Sun. April 30th. Connect with colleagues and celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday! Watch for complete details of conference plans on the GPOP website  – coming soon!

Are you following us on Twitter yet? If you do, you’ll receive an alert any time we publish conference or other updates to the GPOP website.