BY DANIEL MULLOY | CAO and Executive Director , ARTA

“ I can no other answer make but thanks , and thanks , and ever thanks .”

~ William Shakespeare

As a child , I was forever reminded by my parents to say “ thank you ” whenever the occasion arose . I always assumed that thanking people made me a polite boy and erased all my devious childish acts ; what I have come to realize is that they were teaching me not how to say “ thanks ,” but to be thankful .

As I grew older , I said “ thank you ” perhaps less often that I should have , but when I did say it , I meant it . My head and my heart were developing the ability to be truly thankful .

Now , as I sit at my computer thinking about my life with the Alberta Retired Teachers ’ Association and the many challenges and opportunities that I have been so fortunate to have , my head and my heart again want to say “ thank you .”

Thank you to the dedicated committee members and representatives , who develop programs and initiatives to assist retirees and help spread the gospel of ARTA .

Thank you to the members of the Board of Directors who make tough decisions and mentor people like me along the way .

Thank you to our dedicated staff , who work tirelessly to ensure that our members are well taken of and who take care of one another and create a fun-filled work environment .

Thank you to our members , who believe in us as an association , support us in good times and bad , and put faith in us as we do our best to live up to our mission to support an engaged lifestyle after retirement through member-centered services , advocacy , communication , wellness and leadership .

I say “ thank you ” to you because I am thankful for you . The lessons I have learned from my position at ARTA will last a lifetime . I believe they have made me a better , more rounded and thoughtful person . In my head and in my heart , there is no better way to show my appreciation than to say “ thank you .”

In my last article I mentioned some famous bald people , but I missed adding another member of the famous bald group . I must apologize to Dean McMullen for omitting him from that list of highly influential and respected bald people . – Daniel

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