Message from the Co-chair

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Contributed by Wendy Rose

After much procrastinating, since writing is definitely not my forté, I have finally put pen to paper. However, in this day and age, maybe I should say “fingers to the keyboard”, or in my case “finger to the keys”.

It still brings a smile to my face when remembering my first run with Ottawa Frontrunners (OFR) two summers ago. As I was approaching the group that first Saturday morning, all I could see was a large number of very fit-looking and very attractive men (must be gay), with not another single woman in sight. I started debating in my head if I would join them or just walk on bye. I asked myself “would they want a woman to join them”? And if they did, would I be able to keep up with any of them? Those questions were soon answered, as I did muster up my courage to stop and join them. I was immediately made welcome and José was my running buddy that first run. I had needed and wanted to find a safe, social, and active way to introduce myself to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and queer (GLBTQ) community; I certainly found that within OFR. Not walking on bye was one of my best decisions!

I am not sure why there are not more women running regularly with our group. But as the newly elected Cochair, I hope that my presence and our combined networking efforts will change this fact and encourage participation of more women members. Cohesiveness with the GLBTQ community is very important to me and it is something that has been echoed by all of us.

I would like to use this opportunity to introduce the other Executive Committee members as of our May 2006 AGM: myself and Michael as your Co-chairs, Peter as your Finance officer, and Suman and José as your Members-at-large.

And at this time, I would like to especially thank those most responsible for putting together our Club's constitution and by-laws Michael, Peter, and José which is the first step in working towards our Club's charitable status. And I am sure that they in turn would agree that having the constitution ratified was made much easier with the large turnout and support of the members at this year's AGM.

The Outgames will soon be upon us and I want to wish those participating the best of luck, as well as continued success to everyone in the club in their running goals this summer.