Hello blog-readers, I make this my first blog post as your National Chairperson.
Who am I? - well firstly 'Who am I?' is a great flick starring Jackie Chan that my grandmother gave me years and years ago. Features a truly butt-kicking scene where Jackie Chan is fighting with clogs on. Awesome stuff - I highly recommend!
Well a few things about me - I'm from Cornwall, PEI but I currently live in Winterpeg. I am a fan of many things in life - Aerosmith, the Montreal Canadiens, Albert Pujols, big tvs, Baconators, Pez, and dogs.
My turn offs include onions, public buses, garlic, cats, and anyone who might smell like any of those things.
I've been involved with Shinerama since 2002 and have been coming to the National Shinerama Conference since 2004. I consider myself pretty fortunate to be involved with all this and I really cherish all the memories and friendships that I've made.
So coming into 2011 & 2012 I'm really hoping to increase the sense of responsibility in everyone who is involved on every level. I hope to be a hands-on chair and I make myself available as much as possible through all the avenues available (phone, email, facebook, twitter, smoke signals, song). Already we have changed our Regional Directors' responsibilities and have increased the duties to each and every single National Campaign Advisor.
I think that compared to years past where Shinerama was seen as something fun to do and something that people will try to fit in as much as they can, this year is the beginning of our National team seeing Shinerama as a job - with real duties, real evaluations, real expectations, and taking a real time commitment.
I guess that's about it folks for my first blog. I will be trying to blog frequently to ensure that our blog is a place for everyone to congregate.
So take care for now and the next time I post something I'll certainly try and be a little more entertaining!
Ryan 'Ry-Dog' McDermott
Twitter: @rydogmcdermott
