Greetings all. It is hard to believe that it has been over half a year since the CU elections and the annual convention in Calgary. The Board of Directors has been moving quickly, and for those that have been following the minutes, you will know all about it. By way of a recap, I will highlight a few of the initiatives.
We were successful in negotiating with Unikon electronic timers for the exclusive Canadian rights to their products. We also have identified a service technician to look after all servicing requirements through the CU Head Office. Not only does this offer a one stop shopping service to those members with Unikon clocks, but it helps generate revenue for the CU to re-invest in the membership.
We were successful in three by-law negotiations with local municipalities over the past several months. This is a very encouraging development. There seems to be a new positive attitude in Canada when it comes to backyard hobbies and pet stock.
One of our biggest tasks was to modernize the CU National awards and adapt them to the new results data base. We accomplished this over several meeting and by making some difficult decisions. The new awards will be based on the international coefficient system. We believe this to be the simplest and most fair method of calculating true national champions, of any of the various options we studied. The best part of all is that every member and every bird flown will be automatically entered. For the first time in history, National champions can be declared based on a comparison of results with every other bird/loft racing, not just those that applied.
The CU also launched a new website in the last quarter. We already know by the number of hits that it is being visited with far greater regularity than the previous site. We have also linked the website to the database and created a number of backend applications that are really streamlining the administrative burden on the office staff. The new website also hosts a discussion board where members can share ideas and information and ask questions of each other and individual Directors. We are also posting the minutes and newsletters on line, so members will be able to keep in touch with what is going on with the CU.
Another big addition to the CU website that has been approved and is coming soon is an online store. This again will streamline the office work and make it much easier for members to purchase needed supplies and equipment. We are looking to expand the product line as well. If you have any items you would like to see stocked, drop Monik a line.
Early in the term we were please to be able to add Neil Caine of Merrit, BC to the team as the BC Liaison. Neil has done some great work for the hobby and the CU in a few short time period and things in BC are really hopping. I was able to meet with both Neil and Jeff Mawbey of the Mid-Island Club while I was in BC this past February and received lots of valuable feedback from the BC perspective. The CU BOD is anxious to add a Quebec Liaison position as well. That will be one of my high priorities before this term is complete.