President’s Message Bob Slack CSA President Welcome to the 100th issue of CSANews. Once I realized that this was our 100th issue, my thoughts turned to the fact that 2017 will be the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Snowbird Association. It is sometimes hard to believe that one thousand and ninety-two Canadians gathered together in 1992 has grown into a national advocacy organization with more than one hundred thousand members. I say it quite a bit, but I don’t think that I can ever say it enough – this would not have happened without the commitment and loyalty of you, our members. Once again, a sincere thank you. As you prepare for your winter in the sun, I would urge all of you to read the 5th edition of our popular Traveller Information Guide. CSA staff has put together a completely updated and revised edition that answers almost every question which you might have about spending your winter abroad. If, for some reason, you don’t find the answer to your question, just pick up the phone and call the office. If they don’t know the answer, you can rest assured that they’ll find it for you. If you are a renewing, lifetime or new member, you will be receiving a copy of the new guide in the mail shortly, if it has not already arrived. For travellers, there are few things more important than having access to current and accurate travel-related information and the Travel Information Guide has you covered. In my opinion, it alone is well worth the cost of your annual membership. Speaking of snowbird information, I know that many of you have attended one of the popular Winter Information Meetings which we host in the Sunbelt states each winter. They’re smaller than our Extravaganzas and, although they also include top-notch entertainment, the smaller size affords us the opportunity to spend more time answering individual questions which you may have regarding the snowbird lifestyle. Having said that, we realize that not everyone is able to make it to one of these free sessions and that’s why we want to do all we can to ensure that our members have an opportunity to share their concerns and questions directly with us. Five years ago, your Board of Directors approved a plan that would bring some of these great information sessions to many of you right in your local winter communities. Our idea was that if a Director were already in your area attending one of our regularly scheduled winter shows, or actually wintered themselves in your neck of the woods, this might be a great outreach initiative. Five years later, I am happy to report that this program has been – and continues to be – a tremendous success. CSA members may book a board member to make an information presentation to their local winter community or club, and both members and non-members are welcome to attend. We include non-members for the simple reason that, in order to keep growing, we would like to make them members! The presentations include information about who we are and what we do, and we attempt to answer any questions which people might have regarding a wide variety of snowbird-related topics. If you would like to book a CSA Director for one of these sessions, please contact the office for more information. A quick reminder that our annual round of Snowbird Lifestyle Presentations is right around the corner. This year, in addition to all of the great information, we’ve got Toronto-based jaxx band The Shuffle Demons, Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Michelle Wright and multi-platinum recording artist John McDermott among others, to keep you entertained. This fall’s round of shows is in Ontario and they kick off in Orillia on September 13, Belleville on September 15 and Nepean on September 16. We then take a few days to regroup before heading to Burlington for a show on September 19 and in St. Catharines on September 20. We wrap up our 2016 Snowbird Lifestyle Presentations with a show on September 22 in Sarnia. Please contact the office or check our website for specific venues and times. As always, these great shows are free of charge and we encourage you to bring a friend who is not yet a member of the CSA. Enjoy what’s left of the warm weather and safe travels to your winter homes. 10 | www.snowbirds.org
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