Strategic Planning — A GREAT! Weekend


On Saturday the 19th, 35 members of CAMTA gathered under the guidance of Ms. Janet Emmett, facilitator to plan the future of our organization. On the 20th, the process continued but with the executive plus Luis Piedrahita and Fern Cannon.

CAMTA has existed now for seven years. It was timely to review our past and determine our future, collectively as members. The future of CAMTA is in passing on the skills and knowledge accumulated over the prior years and the multiple orthopedic missions to new volunteers. The need to enhance education in Ecuador and develop new skills and experience in fundraising and business management in Canada were a couple of the themes that were presented in the course of the day. This week, Janet Emmett will consolidate the posterboard notes into a document that the executive can present to the membership, later in the spring.

Dr. Luis Piedrahita flew up from Tucson, Arizona to participate.

He is an Ecuadorean. Our charity must continue to be sensitive to the needs of Ecuadoreans.

Here, Dr. Marc Moreau, the President of CAMTA presents the results of his small group's work.

During a break, Fern Cannon, Mathew Moreau and Doris Kent talked in the hallway. In the background are the photoboards of past medical school graduates. Fern is an Ecuadorean and she has participated with CAMTA since it's inception in 2001. Fern flew in from Katy, Texas. The weather was TERRIBLE! It snowed the WHOLE WEEKEND!

Over lunch Linda Ushkowski, Adam Petriw, Aline Young (back row) and Cecilia Tardif, Fern Cannon, Cori Kalven and Kathleen Shearer talk.

And here's Al Tardif, John McIvor, Erin Ennis and Carol Maynard. The retreat participants are all active CAMTA members. The turnout was large — over 50 percent of the Edmonton membership.

In the early afternoon, small group sessions reconvened. Here Carol and Eileen consult over their idea of the future vision of our organization.


And over in the other corner of the room, Andriy Rodyniuk, anesthesiologist and Bethany Lewis, Clinical Nurse Educator and adult orthopedic ward nurse, complete their small group work.

The day got very exciting when everybody was issued orange and green dots to place on the priorities of their choice for CAMTA. It was amazing how a few items got most of the dots. I guess we were in agreement!

It's 4:20PM and nobody is sleeping! Ms. Janet Emmett stirs the group to a great high!
And finally at about 1730h the day wound-up. Here I present Janet with three beautiful Ecuadorean scarves. She liked them – because she wore them home when we dropped her at the airport Sunday afternoon.

Thanks to Janet for her expert facilitation! The results: STAY TUNED. It'll get posted here!
John