As I sit in my office in Regina and reflect on the past two years as Chair of the TFAAC Board, all I can think is: “What happened?"
Normally, the term for the Chair is one year. After the COVID-19 lockdowns began in March of 2020, we were working from our homes within days, and all Advocis functions were either postponed or cancelled. I had a busy travel schedule planned at the time – one which would have taken me to the end of June 2020, finishing my journey and my term as Chair in Newfoundland. As you know, none of that happened. Instead, the board decided that all Executive members would serve a two-year term. It turned out to be a wise decision.
Michel Khalaf, who took over as the CEO of MetLife Inc. in 2019, said during a recent CEO panel that he thought a clarity of purpose is particularly important when you’re dealing with a situation where there is no road map or playbook in terms of how to manage. The same held true for Advocis, and for you as advisors.
We’ve now seen that if you are clear on your purpose, you will shine during a pandemic. I have heard many reports where advisors not only survived but grew their practice with new clients, and led existing clients to become better clients. Our task now as the lockdowns end is to take the lessons learned and apply them to build the practice of the future as well. I’d also like to recognize the staff at Advocis for their own dexterity and clarity of purpose as they pivoted quickly and delivered many outstanding events online throughout COVID-19. Our Zoom accounts were almost worn out by all the activity…!
Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank all the members of Advocis for your support throughout the last two years. When I became a member of LUAC some 40 years ago, I never dreamt that I would one day be Chair of the Association. My one regret is that I could not visit more of you during my term. Hopefully, I can travel to see some of you during my upcoming year as Past Chair.
Advocis has a strong leadership team, both on the board and among the senior staff. I want to thank the board for showing leadership during the last two years and would like to offer a special thanks to Greg Pollock for his exceptional leadership during this period as well. Thank you, Greg, to you and all your staff for your support of myself and the board during a difficult but exciting time. You could write the playbook now!
Thank you to all, and all the best.
Abe Toews
Chair, TFAAC
2019 - 2021 |
