Sometimes an opportunity you would never have even imagined is presented in the most unusual way but makes you stop and think. For several months now I had been thinking about retiring from RBC. After 32 years of breathing and living Royal Bank it was time to explore something new. I had thought that something new would start with 2 or 3 months off to relax and research where our travels would take us. The plan was November 2012, we would travel to Baan Unrak, Thailand for 6 months. From there we would see where the road takes us.
But then opportunity came knocking. Why Angela sent me a job posting for the Interim Executive Director of the Women in Need Society, we will never truly know. Was it because she wanted to determine if we knew a great candidate within our personal network? Was it that she thought I might convince Randy it was a great opportunity for him? Did she think I might be interested? The answer is probably a combination of all three, and definitely I was intrigued. But instead of the interim position, I wanted to explore the permanent role.
The challenge of running four thrift stores that are presently not producing to their potential is exciting. With the leadership and business skills I have developed over the years at RBC, I am confident I can increase profits and help that many more women in Calgary. All I needed to do was convince the recruiter that an individual successful in the corporate world could also be successful in the non-profit world. The recruiter turned out to be the easy challenge. The board however was a different story. It took 3 interviews and a completed 1 year business plan to win them over but I finally did. To be fair I did get lots of coaching and support from Randy who critiqued my application and submissions every step of the way. Honestly a business is a business and regardless of who benefits from the profits the management and leadership skills required are the same. OK the rules may be different and every project appears to be called a Program, but people management and sales skills are transferable from one business to another.
I had full confidence I would be awarded the position. Why? Because when trying to decide whether to apply for the position I had my good friend Candace read my cards. Now anyone who knows me well would think for a normally very practical, analytical, straight laced (?) individual making a decision based on a card reading would be the last thing i would do. However I really believe in the cards. The few times I have had them read they have never led me astray.
So what did I ask the cards? Should I leave RBC and go for the opportunity at WINS. Their response was retirement lays ahead of you, that a younger woman will help you achieve your goal and you will be extremely successful. So without a second thought I went for it! The younger woman, my good friend Angela, who just so happens to be chairman of the board. Although I am not sure she is that much younger..lol.
Now rather than retiring to a life of leisure and travel, I will probably be working harder than I have in years. Going to a world where I have so much to learn! Officially I start November 1st, 2011. The reality I started September 1st, 2011, juggling both roles for a few months.
I am excited, nervous, anxious and can hardly wait to jump in with both feet as I start the next chapter of my journey through life, with my husband by my side every step of the way.
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Coolest Run Ever
The Energizer bunnies run at night. Well maybe we aren't bunnies but we did run. The promise of a headlight and a fluorescent t-shirt and Jenn, Randy and I were keen to sign up to run Calgary's first Energizer Night race. August 13th, 2011, turned out to be a gorgeous, warm night. The perfect temperature for running, Along with 1500 other dedicated runners we met at Glenmore reservoir for a 5k or 10k run in the dark. There was excitement in the air as we waited for the race to begin.
So visualize running along the park path where the road in front of you is lite by the participants headlights and all you see is light after light moving along the path.It is so hard to describe. So so very cool. As you circle the path the route is lite by a thousand headlights and best yet the full moon above.
Some days you have a good run and others days not so good but this night we all had our best run ever. Jenn ran her first 5K run in a record time of 35 minutes. I am so proud of her. Only 2 months earlier running a kilometer was a challenge and today she conquered her first 5k race. All that training paid off.
Randy had challenged me to complete the 10k race in less than a hour and the thought panicked me. My quickest 10k to date was 1 hour 12 minutes. I never professed to be fast just to do my best and enjoy the run. Just before the race we agreed to target 1 hour 10 minutes. No problem I thought I Can do it and when the gun went off I was ready to go. My legs felt strong and heart rate was under control. At one point Randy actually coached me to slow down, afraid I would burn myself out in the first 5 k. He is a really good coach! The first loop felt great, although it is only a mean race director that makes you run past the finish line twice. The second loop I still felt good. As we approached the last kilometer heading towards the finish line we started to run full speed. For a fleeting moment I worried that I may have started the final push to soon. What if I couldn't keep this speed up for a full kilometer? As luck would have it i had the energy to charge the finish line, crossing in 1 hour 6 minutes and 38 seconds. A personal best. There is nothing better than crossing the line with your husband. Sweating and breathless we celebrated with a huge hug!
To add to the excitement of the evening, Nicole an account manager on my team had started running this year as a result of listening to all my stories and tales of my training runs and races. So she and her husband had decided to run in the Energizer run, but we missed each other at the start line. As Randy and I crossed the finish line there was Nicole. She finished 8 seconds ahead of us. Her personal 10k best.. Another person in my life I was proud of that evening.
Filled with excitement Randy and I headed off to find Jenn who had patiently waited for us after her 5k race. We were all energized, excited and full of pride as we all celebrated our success, reliving every moment of the race.
Eleven o'clock at night we headed for home knowing we would be back out in a few hours for our Sunday morning 14k training run..
What a night!!!
So visualize running along the park path where the road in front of you is lite by the participants headlights and all you see is light after light moving along the path.It is so hard to describe. So so very cool. As you circle the path the route is lite by a thousand headlights and best yet the full moon above.
Some days you have a good run and others days not so good but this night we all had our best run ever. Jenn ran her first 5K run in a record time of 35 minutes. I am so proud of her. Only 2 months earlier running a kilometer was a challenge and today she conquered her first 5k race. All that training paid off.
Randy had challenged me to complete the 10k race in less than a hour and the thought panicked me. My quickest 10k to date was 1 hour 12 minutes. I never professed to be fast just to do my best and enjoy the run. Just before the race we agreed to target 1 hour 10 minutes. No problem I thought I Can do it and when the gun went off I was ready to go. My legs felt strong and heart rate was under control. At one point Randy actually coached me to slow down, afraid I would burn myself out in the first 5 k. He is a really good coach! The first loop felt great, although it is only a mean race director that makes you run past the finish line twice. The second loop I still felt good. As we approached the last kilometer heading towards the finish line we started to run full speed. For a fleeting moment I worried that I may have started the final push to soon. What if I couldn't keep this speed up for a full kilometer? As luck would have it i had the energy to charge the finish line, crossing in 1 hour 6 minutes and 38 seconds. A personal best. There is nothing better than crossing the line with your husband. Sweating and breathless we celebrated with a huge hug!
To add to the excitement of the evening, Nicole an account manager on my team had started running this year as a result of listening to all my stories and tales of my training runs and races. So she and her husband had decided to run in the Energizer run, but we missed each other at the start line. As Randy and I crossed the finish line there was Nicole. She finished 8 seconds ahead of us. Her personal 10k best.. Another person in my life I was proud of that evening.
Filled with excitement Randy and I headed off to find Jenn who had patiently waited for us after her 5k race. We were all energized, excited and full of pride as we all celebrated our success, reliving every moment of the race.
Eleven o'clock at night we headed for home knowing we would be back out in a few hours for our Sunday morning 14k training run..
What a night!!!
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