With the TRO Board elections approaching, it’s a great time to re-post the “Becoming a TRO Board of Director” blog article written by 2016 out-going board member Yvonne Ng-Gerritsen. Are you passionate about TR and interested in developing your leadership skills? Are you interested to know more about the role of a board director? Read about Yvonne’s experience as a board director below.
We currently have the following TRO Board positions up for election:
- 1 President-elect
- 5 Directors at Large
TRO Board Nominations due: April 16, 2017. To nominate a colleague, friend or even yourself download the straw ballot from the TRO Board Nominations webpage.
Becoming a TRO Board of Director
It’s crazy to think that four years has already flown by since I was first nominated to be on the TRO Board of Directors. I remember feeling overwhelmed, nervous, but also excited and proud. I had just finished my Master’s Degree at the University of Waterloo and landed my first full time job as a Recreational Therapist at Etobicoke Services for Seniors (ESS Support Services). Even though I have been studying Therapeutic Recreation since my undergraduate degree, I never had a chance to become involved in TRO outside of paying my membership fees.
Becoming a Board of Director really opened my eyes to the greater scope of Therapeutic Recreation outside of my day to day job. There is so much that needs to be done to continue to move this field forward. I remember being shocked as to how much responsibility the Board takes on, not to mention in their OWN time. It is almost like having a second full time job, however, due to the incredible teamwork and passion, you don’t feel the weight of the work.
As co-chair of the Registration committee, I have had the pleasure to work with a fantastic chair and mentor Jill Gibson, who has really guided me throughout this journey and welcomed me into the Board. With an amazing group of volunteers over the years, our committee has moved forward with developing Standards of Practice for Recreation Therapy Assistants, R/TRO Tagline, R/TRO Elevator Statement, R/TRO brochures (Why Become/Why Hire), and most recently, TRO Scope of Practice.
During my time of the board, I have really developed myself both personally and professionally. I have learned so much from an incredibly dedicated and higher level thinking group of professionals. Every decision the Board makes, leads back to what is best for membership. I have also been given so many opportunities to contribute back to the field I love.
TRO members, whether you are a student, new grad, or have been working in the field for years, I truly encourage you to get involved with TRO whether it is by joining a committee, working group, or YES, even the Board of Directors. So next year, when call for nominations comes around, I ask you to REALLY consider if there is anyone you know who would benefit/contribute in the position or perhaps if this is something that YOU would like to do!
If you have any questions on how to get involved with TRO, please feel free to contact them on the website to see where you are best fit!
I am incredibly blessed to have this experience and am happy that I will be continuing as a committee member on the Registration committee. I am excited for the future and to see what accomplishments TRO continues to achieve each year.
-Yvonne Ng-Gerritsen, R/TRO, CTRS