PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS AT OPENING OF CEREMONIES

Good evening ladies & gentleman and welcome to our 2006 Graduation Ceremonies. My name is Sue Boultwood FCI, President of Toronto Chapter and I have the pleasure of being your host this evening.

Toronto Chapter has the distinction of being the largest Chapter of the Credit Institute in Canada. Formed in 1929, Toronto Chapter covers the GTA and surrounding area, bordered by Kapuskasing to the north, Oakville to the west and Port Hope to the east. The chapter exists to serve the membership through education, information, assistance and social events. However, the chapter cannot grow and provide the services it does without the creativity and support from the membership itself. This year, thanks to the dedicated volunteers on Council, we ran our most successful ever, annual Golf Tournament in September, this Graduation as well as other events planned for the winter and spring of 2006/2007. As President, I represent all the Council members in welcoming our newest FCI graduates and Credit Specialists to the Chapter. I urge you to continue your membership in the Credit Institute of Canada and contribute to the success and growth of Toronto Chapter. Your ideas, hard work and enthusiasm make us strong.

I would like to thank you for coming this evening to honour our FCI Graduates, Credit Specialists and Award Winners.

MESSAGE FROM YVON DANEAU ACI, PRESIDENT AND DEAN OF THE CREDIT INSTITUTE OF CANADA (Read by Paul Deluca, FCI in his absence)

Good evening ladies and gentlemen,

Tonight is a very special evening. It is an opportunity for us as a professional association to recognize the achievements of our students and graduates.

Our National Award winners have proven their academic excellence and are at the top of their class. Well done.

Credit Specialists have completed 5 of the 8 courses required in the FCI Program and are committed to credit education and the credit profession. Keep up the focus on your studies. We are looking forward to having you join us as certified credit professional FCI's soon.

To our newest certified credit professional FCI's - a special congratulations. You have balanced the demands of a challenging course load with your work and your personal lives. You are now entitled to use the FCI designation proudly. I hope that the designation opens many doors throughout your career.

Learning does not end with the completion of a course, a University degree or a designation. It is a life-long exercise. The FCI designation is not the end of your education within credit management. Attend seminars, participate in conferences or take further courses.

The Credit Institute of Canada provides you with a forum to network, benchmark and share best practices. Participate. Get to know other credit professionals. Find a mentor or find someone to mentor. Step up and volunteer.

Award Winners, Credit Specialists and Graduates – congratulations once again. Revel in this evening. It is a special event – one I’m sure you will always remember.

PRESIDENT’S GENERAL REMARKS TO CREDIT SPECIALISTS:

One group of our very special guests this evening are our Credit Specialists. These individuals have now completed five of the eight demanding courses of the program. They have acquired three years of practical experience and are ready to be recognized as Credit Specialists. When your name is called please come forward. Presenting the Certificates will be Bonnie Mayes FCI, Secretary of the Toronto chapter and assisted by Jane Kiss FCI, Vice President (reads names) of the Toronto Chapter. Family and friends are invited to take pictures if they wish.

PRESIDENT’S GENERAL REMARKS TO GRADUATES:

Our purpose here this evening is to honour our recent Graduates. These men and women have recognized the need for Credit Education, have dedicated themselves to completing eight demanding courses and amassed a minimum of five years of credit related work experience. They are now ready to join the ranks of qualified Credit Professionals who bear the FCI designation and we proudly welcome them to our fraternity.

A number of years ago, Toronto Chapter began the tradition of presenting the Institutes gold crest lapel pin and framed certificate to each FCI graduate and we are pleased to continue that tradition tonight. We are pleased to have one of our FCI (Emeritus) members Joe Tomko, FCI (Emeritus) with us tonight to present the FCI certificates assisted by Bill Zabarylo, FCI, and CGA.

PRESIDENT’S GENERAL REMARKS TO AWARD WINNERS

Each year, numerous organizations sponsor Awards for outstanding achievement among the students of the Institute. Toronto Chapter monetary awards are open to Toronto Chapter student members only, while National awards are open to all students of the Credit Institute.

CLOSING REMARKS

Before we adjourn for the traditional graduate photographs I would like to offer my personal congratulations to all of this years FCI Graduates, Credit Specialists, Chapter and National Award winners.

To our Credit Specialists, I encourage you to continue your studies in the hopes that you will join us again in the near future to receive your FCI designation.

And to all of the designated members here this evening, I offer the following message. I can’t think of a better way to earn points towards the Professional Development Program than to actively participate in Toronto Chapter functions. Attend a seminar, participate in the AGM or better yet, join council.