It was a great privilege to go to Summer conference this year; to represent the local, meet other members from across our province, and to learn how I can be more actively and effectively involved.  Thank you to the local for giving me the opportunity to attend.

The week included classes and activities; some of the activities were a family BBQ, a dance, morning walks, an art walk, and the opportunity to do activities at the Sally Borden Gym.  It was a wonderful way to get to know others and to enjoy the Banff Centre.

I took the “Initiatives in Leadership” course with Michael Podlosky, who is part of the Professional Development Staff and Barnett House.  We talked about how it is possible for TEAM to stand for Together Everyone Annoys Me..., but probably wiser to use different words to for an acronym. However, it was important to form one since there are so many acronyms to learn throughout the ATA!

The most interesting part of the week was listening to and talking with people from other locals.  I learned how different the needs are depending on the size of the local in membership numbers and the distance between schools throughout the local.  I realized that we are extremely fortunate to have the leaders in our local that we have.  There is solid and sincere support from those in leadership both in directing the local and encouraging and mentoring those who choose to become more involved.  I greatly appreciate it and hope that the rest of the membership recognizes the knowledge and visionary group we have.

There was much discussion around the initiatives the ATA is putting in place with the Real Learning First and the “Changing Landscapes of the Next Alberta” pamphlet that is coming out.  I look forward to my continued involvement and to the exciting direction we, as a professional association, are heading.

Shauna O’Neill