It’s been a big month for EDANL.
On March 19 we launched our new strategic plan. The plan, which sets the stage for the next 5 years for EDANL, focuses our activities in four priority areas:
The centrepiece of the plan is to hire staff, because we know we’ve reached the limits of what a volunteer Board of Directors can do from the sides of their desks.
I want to thank Pat Curran + Associates Inc. for the hard work that was put into this plan over the course of the past year – and to each of our members who put the time in to help steer us in the right direction. It all paid off and we have a great plan. I encourage you to take a look.
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably noticed something looks different. On the launch of our new strategic plan, we knew we wanted to put a fresh face on the association as we turn the page to a new era. Thanks to WaterWerks for stepping up to the plate and giving us a new crisp logo to work with. I’m famously quite colourbind, so this was very much a group decison!
To do what your Board feels must be done to grow the organization and make it more resilient, we are proposing changes to the association’s bylaws. We have laid out the rationale behind these changes (including via video!). Bylaw changes require 2/3 of the membership’s approval, so we really need you to vote! If you’re a member and don’t think you received a ballot, drop me a line at kieran@econext.ca.
Through a partnership with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador (CSCNL), the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs), and of course EDANL – we are working to develop a new suite of economic development training programs. We would love to get your opinion on what you think would be valuable. We are moving quickly on this front; the survey is open for EDANL members until April 10.
Through that same partnership, MNL is hiring two Regional Economic Development Officers – with job applications being accepted until this Thursday. If you’re interested, be sure to apply!
And then there’s a number of upcoming events that we are working on:
Missing from this list are a couple of webinars we’re cooking up for April and May, plus an Annual General Meeting where we are going to be looking for a new crop of economic developers to join our Board of Directors.
Could that be you? We hope so!
All of the above has been a heavy lift for a volunteer Board, so I want to give my thanks again to Jeremy, Margo, Jennifer, Mark, Cyndy, Régis, and Lindsey. This is the last big push before we’re able to bring some staff into the fold to keep this train moving.
Hoping to connect with you all soon!
// Kieran Hanley
President
Stay Connected.Join EDANL's mailing list to stay informed on important news and opportunities relating to economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador.