Credit Institute of Canada-Toronto Chapter
Annual General Meeting April 18, 2013
National Director Report
Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. Membership Committee
Effective April 1, 2013 the CIC board of directors approved a proposal by the Membership Committee
with regard to Life Members. The age to qualify for Life Membership was changed from 60 to 65
years in order to get into line with the retirement age of other professional organizations and the
general public. Also, the length of membership was changed to 15 years of continuous membership.
The B.C. and Toronto Chapters have recently been attending CGA, CMA and HR conferences as
sponsors to raise awareness of the Credit Institute of Canada. B.C. Chapter directors and volunteers
attended and sponsored conferences in the summer and fall of 2012 – a CGA conference in Kelowna
BC and CA and CMA conferences in Winnipeg. Several Toronto Chapter directors and volunteers as
well as Reggie Delovitch and Nawshad Khadaroo volunteered to attend CGA’s Ontario conference on
November 8 and 9, 2012 at the Toronto Westin Harbour Castle Convention Centre. We sponsored
their Friday morning breakfast and our booth looked fabulous, our attendance drew a lot of interest
and our entire presence was very successful.
2. Education Committee
The Collector Certification Program was launched in the fall of 2012. It is aimed at entry level
collectors and consists of on line, multi media lectures, reading materials and an assignment all aimed
at improving collection skills. At the end of the 4 week program, the telephone skills of each student
are assessed via a phone assessment with a senior collector. Those who pass receive a certificate of
completion.
3. National Credit Conference
Plans are progressing very well regarding our National Credit Conference coming up in June 2013 in
Jasper, Alberta. Preliminary brochures were developed and distributed at most Chapter Graduation
events last fall. All the latest information can be seen on our National website at www.creditedu.org.
To date, registrations are very favourable so, if you intend to register, I would recommend that you do
so as soon as possible.
Dave Hopkins, the conference chair and his committee have put together a fabulous set of keynote
speakers and programs as well as an excellent Spousal Program, including highlights of the Jasper
town site, the Jasper Sky Tram, a Maligne Lake Canyon Tour and scenic boar tour of the world
famous Sprit Island. In addition, registrants can sign up for a wonderful day of golf at one of
Canada’s top golf courses on Tuesday June 11th.
4. Knowledge Centre
The Knowledge Centre is now up and running on the National website. This is an information
resource that will assist credit managers in their jobs. You will learn how to develop credit and
collection policies, where to find information about small claims court procedures, valuable
information on bankruptcy, credit fraud, credit risk, financial analysis, legal remedies, portfolio
management and links to important websites. You’ll be amazed when you check it out. Please do so
as soon as possible and provide us with feedback on the site – what you liked and what you didn’t like.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Zabarylo, CCP (Emeritus), CGA
National Director for Toronto Chapter