Amanda Gee, RCAT, RP
Lower Sackville, NS

This June the CATA/ACAT board of directors came together in person for the first time since 2019. While we meet regularly virtually, in our large monthly meetings and in small working groups, it was wonderful to be together in person, to connect on a more personal level, to get to know each other outside of the zoom box, to team build and to get a lot of work done. It was great to be able to hug and ‘to see everyone’s legs’! We gathered at the Five Oaks Retreat Centre in Paris, ON. A beautiful location where we could be immersed in nature.

While we have fun and spend time connecting at the board retreats we also take the time to get a lot of work done. Sometimes it is easier and quicker to work through some items in person. We set goals for the retreat, have a pre-scheduled agenda, topics to cover, time keepers and notetakers. During this retreat we focused on ‘building intersectional cultural awareness for board members’, ‘standards of practice committee and planning’, ‘succession planning’, ‘review of education standards language and competencies’, among other equally important things. We also made some art, explored the beautiful setting and did some laughter yoga! Thank you to all of the board members who facilitated for us.

I am so excited for the 2023 CATA/ACAT conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland - Coming Home: Culture, Hope, and Connection - August 25th - 27th. This is our first in person conference since 2019! I’m looking forward to being with everyone again, to connect face to face, again, to share and learn and grow together again. Hope to see you there!

Below are some photos of the board at work and play, and a piece of reflection art by Tammy Reynolds, Public Relations Director.