As we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year, our current longest-serving staff member finds himself in high demand. With 37 years at CASE, Brett Chambers, Vice President, Volunteer Engagement and Leadership, has been sharing his institutional knowledge and memories quite a bit lately. “Let’s check with Brett” or “Brett might know” have been steady refrains. Invariably, the question comes up, “What kept you at CASE so long?” His response: the people.

As his title indicates, Brett is continually engaging with members, particularly those who volunteer. He told me, “I have never once been to a volunteer dinner where I was bored. Our members are the most interesting, smart, convivial, and passionate people you will ever meet.”

I second that. I am now in my 10th year as CASE President, and I feel confident speaking on behalf of my colleagues when I say that working with volunteers is one of the best parts of our jobs. Across our regions, we rely on our volunteers for providing resources for our membership, including as presenters and moderators; members of programme planning committees; authors, content developers, and reviewers; awards judges; and members of think tank groups that include the Commissions, District Cabinets and Regional Councils, advisory committees, and our Board of Trustees.