UELAC president's message.(United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada)

For ninety-four years, the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada has explored its mandate and maintained the historical significance of the settlement by the United Empire Loyalists in our country. Supported by a growing membership, our executive leaders have built an organization that continues to honour our ancestors with monuments and commemoratives, research and publications, and with community promotion. Through discussion, debate and consensus, our leaders have maintained a dynamic progressive approach ensuring that the Loyalist influence is not forgotten. Although I have been a member for ten years, I stand in amazement at what has been accomplished in the past ten decades. Today, I can admit that I am proud to be asked to serve as UELAC's thirty-fifth president.

You can discover a lot from reading the forty-six volumes of The Loyalist Gazette. Thanks to John Chard for the rebirth of our periodical and to the succession of highly capable editors, we can gain an understanding of both regional and national activities as well as an appreciation of the considerable research that preserves our Loyalist inheritance. However, little can beat the actual experience of working alongside leaders with the qualities of Bernice Wood Flett, Ed Scott, C. William Terry, Myrna Fox, Douglas W. Grant and Peter W. Johnson. My qualifications recorded in the nomination letters by Gloria Oakes and Robert C. Wilkins would not have been developed without the encouragement and opportunities provided by those presidents. I also would like to express my special appreciation to Doug Grant whose IT skills have helped us promote our educational materials and develop an exemplary communication network. No longer are our achievements as an organization hidden under a bushel basket, but are shared with all our members and supporters alike on a frequent and regular basis. UELAC continues to be strengthened by the ability of our membership to create, develop and share.

Recognition, Resolution and Relevance

I would like to emphasize that last ability--share--because in the coming months, I too will be asking you to help me explore three goals that I have chosen. As a former teacher, I spent considerable time on the three "R"s. However, this time I am not talking about reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic but recognition, resolution and relevance.

As an organization of volunteers, we must increase our recognition of those who serve, not just as members of executives, but for the time, effort and support so freely offered in the name of our Loyalist ancestors. Some branches have developed their own human resources files recording the years and positions held by their members. These records are helpful when it comes time for recognition at branch as well as local and provincial events. Increasingly, branch presidents are honoured with the past president miniature as a token of appreciation for their service. In Saint John, we honoured a member with the first UELAC Dorchester Award in recognition of exemplary service to our association. Volunteers are a humble lot, but they do appreciate that pat on the back to spur them on from time to time.

Let us begin with the acknowledgment that the success of the AGM also rests on the shoulders of two special volunteers. For fourteen years, Elizabeth Richardson has been the chairman of the conference committee and has overseen the set-up of the room in which the meeting is held. She has ensured that the sightlines are clear and the microphones are properly placed and operational. She has made sure the Armorial Bearings of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada are clearly visible. Her preparatory efforts have enabled over seven presidents to concentrate on the agenda and the meeting at hand.

I would be personally remiss in not thanking our new chairman of the credentials committee. Most delegates are unaware of the time and effort required to ensure that branches submit their names as well as the division of votes on schedule for advance preparation for the AGM. Gloria Howard's dedication to her new position at a time when she might have been home celebrating her birthday with her family is a good example of another valued volunteer.