Reflecting on leadership

After considerable reflection, I feel it is time for me to step down. The past six years of conceiving, creating and building a national arthritis patient organization have been very rewarding. The CAPA election and appointments this Fall will bring new blood as well as ensured continuity, a smooth transition and effective leadership.

When CAPA was established four years ago, we were a loose collection of individuals with little more than a common dream. Today we are a strong national patient advocacy organization being heard on a variety of issues that are critical to people living with arthritis. The number of members actively involved has steadily grown along with an expanding number of partner organizations. Within Canada, CAPA is recognized as a leading patient organization and our effectiveness and importance are acknowledged internationally.

To everyone actively involved in arthritis advocacy, my heartfelt thanks. I particularly want to express my deep appreciation to all CAPA Steering Committee members as well as to The Arthritis Society (TAS), particularly former President and CEO Denis Morrice, Lisa Cirella and John Fleming. Readers will hopefully forgive me if I single out the three people who along with me are stepping down from the CAPA Steering Committee this fall: Jean Légaré, June Henderson and Lisa Cirella. Jean has been a member of the Steering Committee from the beginning. His optimism, clear insights and wisdom will be greatly missed in the day-to-day work of CAPA. June has been a willing volunteer on a variety of Ontario and national issues. Her steady commitment to arthritis and disability issues is greatly appreciated.

I want to especially recognize the contribution of Lisa Cirella who has been a backbone of CAPA since its creation. Lisa joined the national office of TAS at the time CAPA was being created. TAS offered staff support to CAPA and Lisa single-handedly provided most of that, fitting it into her already busy TAS schedule. She quickly understood the kind of organization that we, Canadians with arthritis, were trying to create. She has been one of our strongest advocates - creative, compassionate, hardworking and always professional. Lisa is leaving TAS, having recently accepted a position with Ward Health. We wish her continued success. We are very pleased that she has promised to remain an active Associate Member of CAPA.

I feel confident of CAPA's future because of the depth of abilities and firm commitment of CAPA's members. To all who have helped our CAPA team, thank you so very much for your support and grass roots leadership. It has been an immense privilege for me to be a part of this amazing endeavour. With best wishes.