I am honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead our wonderful organization during the coming year. Our immediate Past President Joe Chin has brought the CUA to a very healthy place, so I feel the pressure to keep the momentum going. Those of us who attended the recent Annual Meeting in Niagara Falls saw first-hand that the educational value of the event is first class, thanks to the work of co-chairs Anil Kapoor and Jon Izawa and the guidance of Vice President Education Gerry Brock. And then there was the social program put together by our management team with the advice of local urologists Ian Brown and Diane Heritz, who made sure that there was enough water (200,000 cubic feet per second over the Falls), wine (from the beautiful Niagara region) and food to satisfy the biggest appetites. However, I know that the team of Greg Bailly and Tom Whelan for the scientific program and Chris French for the local arrangements is up to the challenge of creating a 2014 Annual Meeting in Newfoundland that will match the high standards set at Niagara Falls. I invite you to come see for yourself when we get together June 29th to July 1st, 2014 in St. John’s, NL.
Note that every person listed above has volunteered their time and expertise to the CUA – this is the closely guarded secret of our success. Although I have heard it said that the era of volunteerism has past, I see no evidence to support that dark view when I look at our own organization. On a related topic, the continuing improvement in the stature of the journal that you currently hold in your hands (or are viewing on-line) is due in large measure to our members who volunteer their expertise as reviewers and for other tasks.
But I have a confession to make: the truth is that volunteerism is fun and rewarding. Allen Klein, who managed both the Rolling Stones and later the Beatles, once said; “Research has shown that people who volunteer live longer.” I have not been able to find the scientific references to support his assertion, but I’ve decided to go ahead and believe him anyway because it provides another reason to volunteer. So, whether it’s because you want more fun or rewards or just hope to live longer, I encourage you to raise your hand the next time a call goes out for volunteers.