BC NOTARIES WHAT WE DO AND OUR PROFESSIONAL FRIENDS
RI: Your Assurance of Excellence Brenda Southam
I
n the late 1990s, I began working in a not-forprofit organization in Saskatchewan—I really enjoyed the work. In the 20 years since, I have been an association executive. When I realized I was destined for the not-for-profit world, I continued educating myself—I earned a Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Saskatchewan and the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the Canadian Society of Association Executives.
Tom passed away a number of years ago and his son TJ took the reins of the company. TJ trains governance; I have had the opportunity to train with him and it was a great experience!
At an RI event, you can usually meet every person you require to complete a real estate deal.
As I began to understand the governance of not-forprofits more thoroughly, I worked with a mentor, Tom Abbott Sr., owner of AMC – Association Management Consulting. Also a CAE, Tom envisioned a world with a different type of governance—one where the Board and the CEO work side-by-side, not in a hierarchy. Of course we all know the CEO reports to the Board but, if those professionals work side-by-side, they create the best possible organization. When governed well, it is a good organization. You can see it . . .
Back when I started at REIBC, I thought I knew what real estate was all about . . . I knew many realtors. There are, however, so many different professions within that realm.
I have been the EO of the Real Estate Institute of BC (REIBC) since 2007 and enjoy every moment of it. I work with a group of people who are professional and hold the highest degree of integrity—I am grateful for that each day. The membership of the REIBC is comprised of real estate professionals from all areas of real estate . . . they are appraisers, analysts, Notaries, lawyers, developers, property managers, and property negotiators, to name just a few. My career here at the Institute has been very rewarding. The diverse professionals all do something a little different, It’s a great education for me and, after almost 15 years, I am still learning what they all do. They teach me every day . . .
• in the way things are done,
• what it is to be positive,
• in what is projected to the public, and
• to be all-in on something, and
• in the relationship between the Board and the CEO.
• to have passion about what they do.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
BC Notaries Association
Volume 30, Number 3, Winter 2021
