Annual General Meetings not only meet the requirements of incorporation and elect new directors, but also provide an opportunity to reflect on the past year and look to the year ahead. PRSN’s annual meeting, held September 19, 2024, marked a period of significant change. We said goodbye, with regret, to chair Marika Elek and Vice Chair Karen Scott, who served as leaders in establishing the network’s first three years, and chose not to stand for election for a second term. Their contributions have been key to who and what we are today.
We tabled our 2023-24 annual report highlighting our accomplishments and elected four new directors – Yemane Ghebreweld Abede, Teresa Costa, Jennifer Kett, and Alizee Zapparol-Manzoni-Bodson. We still have one sponsor vacancy to fill. As chair of nominations, I extend a warm welcome to all as they begin to offer their experience in addressing sponsor issues and helping PRSN achieve its vision and mission. Our new chair of the board is long-time director, William (Bill) Croson, with Michael Duschenes serving as Vice Chair. Michael joined the Board in March 2024.
Michael has spearheaded the development of a strategic plan for PRSN and in another story in this issue you can learn more about it and how he will approach its implementation over the coming year.
Most committee chairs are continuing in their roles; however, Board member Darrell Pinto is the new chair of the Services Committee, and Teresa Costa will be taking on the chair’s role of the Partnership committee.
We are well-positioned for the year ahead, building on the foundation created by outgoing chair and vice chair, Marika Elek and Karen Scott. However, since the AGM, we have had a resignation from secretary-treasurer Anna Nguyen, who has taken on new employment responsibilities leaving a vacancy at the officer level we aim to fill in the coming month.