From the QUAA

Working together to find solutions

Colin McLeod in front of a grey background, wearing a blue shirt and smiling at the camera.

In February, I had the opportunity to moderate a conversation with Principal Deane regarding the budget challenges Queen鈥檚 is facing. I was impressed by the number of Queen鈥檚 alumni who joined the online conversation, and the thoughtfulness of the questions. It was clear that alumni care deeply about the future of the institution and are keen to find ways to assist Queen鈥檚.

How can you help? Let me start with a plug for the Queen鈥檚 University Alumni Association Board of Directors. Over the last year, the Board of Directors has reviewed our operations and has proposed changes in order to be more inclusive and ensure a meaningful experience for volunteers. These changes were recently approved by the Alumni Assembly and, at their core, add a lens of Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-Racism to everything we do. This includes a more horizontal decision-making structure, the addition of an equity representative, and the creation of committees that allow participation of alumni outside the Board of Directors.

Recruitment for open positions occurs annually, so if you are committed to serving others, I encourage you to check the Queen鈥檚 alumni website or reach out to the Board for future openings. We need strong communicators 鈥 alumni who can convey key messages and engage with and advocate for diverse alumni audiences. This is a chance to be at the forefront of setting and achieving strategic goals that define the future of alumni engagement. 

Other opportunities to engage in the life and work of the university include running for University Council, applying to be a part of Alumni Assembly, getting involved with your local branch or chapter, or putting your hand up to be a reunion co-ordinator. If you鈥檙e able to do so, to an area of the university you are passionate about can also go a long way. Each of these roles helps create the vibrant fabric of the alumni community, reinforcing the strength and resilience of Queen鈥檚. We have faced difficult times in the past but have always worked together to find innovative solutions and emerge stronger. This is one of those times, and your university needs your support. 

Lastly, after a decade of volunteering for the 成人大片 Alumni Association (QUAA), my time with the Board has ended. The QUAA is in good hands with the incoming President, Allison Williams, Artsci鈥09, whose volunteerism with Queen鈥檚 goes back almost two decades. Allison is an Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Award winner and was the inaugural President of the Queen鈥檚 Student Alumni Association and is exceptionally well-suited to guide the Alumni Association forward. As I sign off, I want to thank the alumni community for their engagement, thoughtful discussions, and their commitment to Queen鈥檚. It has truly been an honour. 

Cha Gheill!

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