Thank You
As the artist Vincent van Gogh once said, “Doing little things well is a step toward doing big things better.” For me, it is the very essence of commitment, engagement and selfless giving. To my mind, that clearly describes the efforts of men and women who dedicate their time and energies to organizations such as ours, regardless of the sector of activity. It is a way of participating in growth and development, of building one brick at a time, of making a difference. Doing little things well is a sign of intellectual rigour, of an appreciation for a job well done, of contributing without expecting anything in return… simply because of a belief in the importance of continuity. An accumulation of small gestures well done makes all the difference.
The BOMA Quebec annual general meeting took place on April 5. The AGM is an opportunity to review our accomplishments, all the hard work done by our full-time staff, the board of directors and the 9 active BOMA Quebec committees. Each committee has important mandates, and each is staffed by volunteers who invest time and energy, contributing their enthusiasm and integrity to getting the job done. These dedicated professionals get together on a regular basis in order to plan and implement programs, partnerships and activities that benefit everyone in the real estate community. Some have been doing so for years, by conviction, and we owe much of our success to their ideas and hard work.
I cannot list all of you here, but would like to note the departure of certain key actors and committee chairs who each year pass the baton on to the next committed volunteer. They hand over a structure that is shipshape and ready for the challenges that lie ahead. I am thinking, for example, of Patrice Bonin, who served brilliantly as head of the Integrated Technical Management Committee; of Caroline Girard of the Golf Tournaments Committee, who has left temporarily on maternal leave; of Linda Plante, administrator, chair and early member of the Building Management Committee; of Bruno Turcotte, head of the Quebec Committee, thus raising the profile of BOMA in the National Capital region (he continues to act as an administrator); of Ralph Karawani who led the Next Generation Committee, promoting property management as an exciting career for students to consider; of Annik Desmarteau, chair of the Communications Committee, soon to be known as the Social Responsibility Committee; of Christopher Arnaoutelis, who helped increase membership as head of the Recruitment Committee and who continues to sit on the board of directors, and finally of Jocelyn Lafond, chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee for two decades, who continues to act as a governor.
All of us – I myself, the board of directors, BOMA management and BOMA members – thank you for all that you have accomplished over the past few years.
In devoting your intelligence and your energy to BOMA Quebec, you help give the association meaning, direction and drive, which is something I deeply respect. Without professionals like you, our organization would not be what it is.
Many of you honoured us with your presence at the annual meeting. We wanted to surprise you this year, to stir things up a bit, by choosing UQAM’s new multisensory room. What an intriguing site! Did you know that it is one of the research projects organized by the Ivanhoe Cambridge Real Estate Chair, an important BOMA Quebec partner? Highly original, the site is a reflection of Montreal’s reputation for innovation and creativity not just in the arts, but also in the city’s businesses and institutions. If you were unable to attend the meeting, the multisensory room is worth checking out.
Earth Day. Be proud!
Stand up and be counted on April 21! Join us in the forty-odd buildings across Quebec that are certified BOMA BEST® as building management teams make occupants aware of the efforts they deploy every day to provide a safe and environmentally friendly workplace. For BOMA, every day is Earth Day. We are pleased to see the enthusiastic response of the BOMA BEST® community in support of this important initiative. Not only do your efforts matter, but even more important, they are inspiring. Your leadership is something to be proud of. To find out more, click here.
Good work is to be praised, loudly and proudly.
A lovely spring to one and all!
Mario Poirier
President