My name is Mike Woolridge of Metro Halifax Chapter and I was elected as your President at the 2008 Hamilton Conference. I want to thank you all for this honour and I look forward to an exciting and interesting two year term of office.
I would like to welcome all returning elected representatives and thank them for their support. I also want to welcome Janet Paquet and Peter Folk to the Board and thank Dianne Lowe of the Grande Prairie Chapter and David Page of the Winnipeg Chapter for their contributions to the UOAC Board. Dave elected not to reoffer for the Board this year due to medical reasons. Last but by no means least, I wish to thank outgoing Past President Pat Cimmeck of Calgary. I think that Pat has been on our Board of Directors since UOAC's inception in 1998. She has served as Secretary, President and in other capacities for 11 years. Pat has agreed to stay on as our Youth Camp Coordinator/Advisor. Thanks Pat!!
At Hamilton the decision was made that UOAC would go to a Bi-Annual Conference system. Conferences will beheld on alternate years 2010, 2012, 2014 etc. On odd years 2009, 2011, 2013 etc. localized mini Conferences/Cluster Meetings will be held.
The next UOAC main conference will beheld at Sydney, Cape Breton, NS in 2010. Details to follow.
There is a lot of planning to be done to ensure that this program is properly put in place. To this end Past President Doug Graham has agreed to take on this program as a priority. Watch the "UOAConnection" and "Ostomy Canada" for details as they become available.
In closing I wish to once again thank you all for the honour of being your President and I look forward to working with all of you for the betterment of our Association and ostomates everywhere,
Until next time,
Mike
