Fellow members and guests.

I believe that this will be my last message as President of the MDRAO.

During my term as President the MDRAO has done a lot of work on your behalf.

Beginning with the May 2019 AGM, this board hit the ground running and in a few short months put on one of the greatest conferences in my recollection to mark our 50th year. We began a program of holding our board meetings in each chapter region with a meet-and-greet lunch. Covid protocols unfortunately put a damper on this, but I am sure that it will continue in the future. Shortly thereafter we commissioned a brand new education platform from the ground up that is working very well at quite a reduction in costs. We then, with member assistance, lobbied the government of Ontario to be included in the $4.00 per hour pandemic pay and were successful. We then began to plan our conference this past April as well as commission the MDRAO course to be translated into the French language.

This year's conference was an overwhelming success, with good reviews and positive comments from members and exhibitors alike. On a personal note, I think that it was one of the best that I have attended. I got a wonderful sense of closure as well making new and beautiful friendships.

As my term comes to a close, I can assure you that the MDRAO is in very good and capable hands with Nathalie at the helm. I move to the Past President post but will still remain active in the advisory role. Many thanks to our former board members, Nathalie, Candia, Garry, Sara, Tony, who did an excellent job at the 2019 conference Pablo, Megan, Michael and Roch who followed. Thank you all for you commitment and drive. Without this crew I would have been lost. And thank you to Adam Becker and his crew at Becker and Associates for picking us up, dusting us off and pointing us in the right direction. You guys are amazing.

I thank you wholeheartedly for the opportunity to be your President and the faith you had in me. I am humbled.

To this end, I remain your servant.

Regards,
Jeffrey Phelps CD, CMDRT.