Oh - if only we'd even had time to take a holiday picture... it's been all hands on deck to move rapid tests out the past couple of weeks. While we've been providing tests to a growing number of businesses over the past 6 months, our weekly report jumped from 184 businesses and almost 21,000 tests on December 10 to 356 businesses and 29,000+ on December 17... with new orders coming in about every 30 minutes for the past 10 days.
The good news is that we don't have a single rapid test sitting in the Cabin over the holidays. Our inventory is in the hands of small business owners who will be able to help keep their workplaces safer. Thanks to Lisa, Anna and Susan for continuing to rise to whatever occasion the pandemic presents and pulling together whatever resources are needed to get the job done. And we all got our steps in running down to the basement to bring up packed orders for pickups.
It was quite a way to end the year - just a month ago, we were enjoying our first in-person breakfast since this all started - and it felt so good. December was supposed to be about preparing our 2022 Membership Information guide with highlights from 2021 and aspirations for 2022.
We did conduct the official business of swearing in the new Board, though we missed out on the traditional photo. Reflections from outgoing President, Peter Kempenaar (Taskforce Engineering) and goals from incoming President, Anthony Callaghan (McDougall Insurance) will be shared as part of that Membership Guide as well.
We also welcomed Brian Pennell, Kennametal as the new Manufacturing representative and Ian Wilson, Taskforce Engineering for a one-year appointment.
Warm thanks and farewell to Greg Sudds (West City Honda), Past-President and as well to Jessica Klein who leaves after her first term to pursue academic interests and a new career. After a number of years as the manufacturing representative, Kevin McCaughen (Sigma Stretch Film) announced his upcoming retirement earlier in 2021 and Jeff Wood filled in the remainder of this year's term. We've appreciated them both and we look forward to Jeff joining our Government Affairs and Membership committees in 2022.
The executive officers were also elected as follows
Christina Wallis, Wallis Law - 1st Vice
Dale Hoard, Microage Technology - 2nd Vice
Sandra Leslie, Meta Employment Services - 3rd Vice
Jeanette Cyr-Guerreiro, Wilkinson & Co., Treasurer
Shaun Stickle, Sommers Generator Systems and Scott Bartley, Restore Balance were acclaimed to the two open director positions. This will be Shaun's second three year term and Scott comes in after serving a one-year term appointment.
Returning members are
Wendy Kellar, Freedom 55 Financial
Karen Poste, City Representative
Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College Representative
I'm looking forward to working with a great group of dedicated volunteers next year - and I would love to see you join us on any of our committees! Please watch for details and how to sign up in January.
Our conversation on December 16 with Todd Smith was recorded - see the link below - and many issues were raised. We'll be working with our Government Affairs committee in January and other members of the Chamber network across Eastern Ontario to see if any of these concerns might form the basis of a policy resolution with recommendations we will bring forward to the Ontario Chamber for their advocacy work at Queen's Park in 2022.
Please enjoy a healthy and safe holiday - with all the best to you and your families, your work families and let's hope the rest helps launch a 2022 we can all enjoy!