I really did not anticipate I would be writing this last message. It is with mixed emotions that I am resigning as president of the Rocky Ridge Royal Oak Community Association. It’s was a very difficult decision to make; we have such a great team on the board. Enthusiastic, motivated with a passionate drive to help make our community a better place to live. As mentioned in previous messages, I am humbled by some individuals that “make the impossible happen”. I am inspired by the spirit of our community when we get together on a common cause. The response for helping out Bowness and Montgomery with supplies from our community has been simply impressive.
I am sure you know by now, my style as a leader is very results orientated. I believe when setting goals, it is important that we can measure our results. My job is to direct the vision, motivate and support my team. The directors have worked endlessly, after every project always looking at next year and what they can do better. In such a short period, our membership is up 100%, the Kaiser oil well issue is almost resolved, we obtained a desperately needed middle school, we implement some traffic calming solutions and will be leading our city with a pilot project with the community pace car program, we obtained the neighbourwoods program, obtained a $3000.00 donation towards this program and community clean up, we started the process of going “green” with all our events, we have improved our finances, we have the “Best” written Suburban Journal in Calgary and now doing more events this year than the last 3 years combined.
These are incredible accomplishments and the results have been unifying our community and assisting in the catalyst to evolving our community “spirit”. This is really what a community feels like. It is talking to your neighbours, coming out to events, to celebrations, rallying around people in need in our community, participating, volunteering, these are all the type of actions that as an individual you decide to do or not to do.
I strongly believe communities are the foundation and the heart of the city and our community organizations is where it all starts. I have enjoyed serving as your president and it has been a privilege to work with such incredible people. A special thank you to Monique, she is a model for community spirit and has been my check and balance go-to person, you will be greatly missed by me, the board and the community.
I have had tremendous amount of support and encouragement from residents, businesses inside and outside of our community to be a credible candidate for Ward One Councillor this October 21st. I would like to bring my business and community leadership to a new level in the city and foster an environment of productivity and accountability within city operations and bring my business acumen to City Council.
You will still see me around, I will volunteer when possible and have agreed to be a director at large for the board to deal with the Kaiser oil well and the last land development.
I wish the board the “best of business” and look forward to a new adventure.
Regards,
Ward Sutherland
