The Buzz

Update to members from the board chair - AGM 2020

A message from Colleen Hoggarth, CPB, FCPB:

Well this has been a year for the record books.  I am wondering what my granddaughter will ask me in years to come about 2020.  The one thing I will be able to tell her proudly, is that I belonged to an organization who embraced the challenges that Covid-19 brought to Bookkeepers across the country.  That our members from coast to coast, north and south, stood together supporting one another through ever changing initiatives from the Government.  We learned new acronyms weekly.  We supported our clients and employers by being on the leading edge of learning about wage subsidies, business loans, rent relief and so much more.  Our CPB Canada created a place for members to commiserate and support one another in Talk Tuesday and for all bookkeepers through Bookkeepers Connect.

This year our annual conference pivoted to a virtual platform.  Although different, it still allowed for much learning and the comradery we all so enjoy.  I will say I was disappointed not to be able to welcome our members to Victoria, but this worked out just fine!  My fingers and toes are crossed that we will all meet in Victoria 2021.

All the while, Covid was happening, our Operational Team, kept moving forward with the launch of the rebrand, new website and member management system.  I could not be prouder of the outcome.  This is just the beginning.  The system we have will support our operations, current and new members now and in the future.  We have only just scratched the surface of the capabilities. 

2020 will end with a look to the future.  Our current strategic plan will conclude on May 31 2021.  The Board will engage in a virtual strategic planning session towards the end of the year.  All CPB Canada members will have the opportunity to share in our vision for the future through a benchmarking survey.  Please, please answer the survey when it is received this fall.

Thank you to each of our Board Members.  You give of yourselves for our CPB Canada.  Our rousing discussions show just how passionate you all are for our profession and our organization.  Our members are well represented.

I would like to recognize our departing Board Members:

• Tammatha Denyes
• Kerri Bouffard
• Barb Sanderson

Each of these folks have been exemplary volunteers for CPB Canada.  They were able to look at what is best for our organization as a whole and not just for them personally.  Their individual insights gave Board discussions a well-rounded perspective.

A huge thank you to each of you for your volunteerism and leadership.  Our membership and me in particular appreciate your work.  As I have said in previous discussions, you may no longer be on the Board, but I will be calling and please pick up the phone.  We are not yet finished with your talents!

I would like to thank each member of our operational team.  Without them, we would not have the ability to move forward to meet the needs of our members.

• Riann – who supported Sarah and Val and learned many, many new things over the past year.
• Meagan – who rallied our Regional Network Chairs and quickly moved us from in person meetings to virtual meetings allowing us to attend a meeting not only in our region but also anywhere across the country.
• Cindy – who joined us this year and jumped in with both feet.  I am amazed by your analytical skills and thoughtful presentations.
• Sarah – who spearheaded the rebrand, website and member management system.  She may have left our organization but her contributions will be lasting and not forgotten.
• Jeff – who is our voice of calm reason.  There is no one else that I would want overseeing our dollars and cents.  And, he absolutely loves all my questions!  Who missed seeing Jeff running through the AGM with the microphone!

And Val.  She has put together this amazing operational team.  Val is our helms person.  Steering our CPB Canada ship.  It has not been an easy year, but she has proceeded with grace and decorum, when all she really wanted was to pull her hoodie over her head!!!

A huge thank you to all of you from all of us, members of CPB Canada.  Your work and efforts for us have not gone unnoticed.