Message from the President

Hello Members & Friends,

It’s been quite an interesting year!

As COVID-19 became a reality we were forced to adjust our programming and activities. Our Family Business Advisory Teams also had to adjust and met remotely. Your Board of Directors continued to work as a team to keep FBA responsive to member needs however all the meetings were via Zoom.

In January 2021 our long time Executive Director, Bernadine Rudichuk retired and we hired Bryan Burns to fill the role.

The 2020-21 program season proceeded as a virtual platform. We conducted 4 different sessions on Zoom as well as the new Transition Series, where those going through transition interacted with other family business owners who have successfully gone through the process. We are excited about the four family case studies that were held with great questions and discussions.

Normally, the highlight being the Family Business Excellence (FBE) and Young Entrepreneur (YE) Awards which unfortunately had to be postponed. In previous years the Family Business Excellence and Young Entrepreneur Awards have always been celebrated during the month of February. This season we have scheduled the gala to take place in April, in hopes that we will be able to gather in person. We still had to postpone.

We acknowledged the recipients Butler Bros Supplies and Pepper’s Food Store as well as Elspeth McGillivary from Prince of Wales/North Island Kayaks the Young Entrepreneur with a video presentation. The gala celebration planning for 2022 in April will provide a larger event with a celebration for the 2022 recipients and will include the 2021 awards.

Nominations for the 2022 awards are open now and I encourage you to nominate deserving candidates.

Now, as we move into a new season in 2022, we are excited on combining live events with Zoom events as more and more regulations return to a new normal.

If there was ever a time for FBA to step up and support its members, it is now. Please use FBA as your meeting place for support, education and networking. Please also consider if it is time to join a Family Business Advisory Team, propose an educational session or a Transition Group.

Your Board of Directors is committed to continuing excellent programming throughout the season.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, learn from you and I trust we can spend some future time together with some social gatherings.

Doug Wittich
FBA President

Contact: 

E. fba@familybusinessassociationvi.ca
P. 250-532-2402

Doug Wittich