Summer is just around the corner, and as the fiscal year-end for Toronto CFA Society rapidly approaches, we look back and reflect over the year, which has been one of change and progress in many respects.

We continued to build on our Toronto CFA Society Learning Centre initiative (a.k.a. Toronto CFA University). This year we launched our first e-Learning courses and in late June, we are running a two-day continuing education course on Oil and Gas Fundamentals. CFA societies across Canada have the opportunity to patch in and participate. CFA Institute noted this event because of its educational content and delivery method, and it was presented as a case study at the Programming Summit in Orlando during the 2009 Annual Conference.

Other recent notables in programming included our two-day annual wealth management conference in May, and the events that we ran jointly with other organizations, such as the three-part series on Board roles and responsibilities with Women in Capital Markets, and the sessions on a Single Securities Regulator with CFA Institute.

As a result of the society’s new programming initiatives, a Continuing Education committee was formed this year. Other new committees formed this year included the Mentorship committee, which assists with the Mentorship program, now in its second year.

At the beginning of 2009, we welcomed Peter Jarvis, CFA, our new executive director. More recently, Toronto CFA Society welcomed two individuals to the management office: Jenny Kim, as assistant manager, programs and events; and Ramin Shokat Pourtorab, our new assistant manager of web and information systems. Jenny’s experience in the field of events and advertising will be a great asset to the society while Ramin’s experience in IT will help us move our technology plans forward. CFA Institute welcomed new CEO John Rogers, CFA, who came to visit Toronto in mid-April and met with volunteers, Board members, and the Toronto CFA Society office personnel. We look forward to working alongside CFA Institute under John’s direction.

This letter is my last as president of Toronto CFA Society, with current Vice-President Steven Rostowsky, CFA taking over the reins for the upcoming 2009-10 year. It has been an honour and a privilege to work with so many individuals who are committed to the organization and its mission. Have a great summer–I look forward to seeing you at a Toronto CFA Society event in the future.