Upon assuming the position of President of the Marquis Families Association, I thought it was important to ensure succession within the Board of Directors.

My first objective was to obtain a distinct Coat of Arms in time for the tenth anniversary of the association.  This project was assumed with great success by Jean-Marie Marquis.
A second objective was to commemorate the arrival of Charles Marquis in New France, which occupied most of my second mandate as President.  Following completion of research on the Marquis residence on Place Royale, in Old Quebec City, we intend to begin negotiations to have a commemorative stone installed in the cobblestone square in front of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, to mark the location of the Charles Marquis residence.

At the end of this second mandate, the position of President will be open when the general assembly of 2011 takes place.  Currently, there are two vacant Director positions on the Board of Directors.  The Board needs the support of all members to ensure succession and the future of the association.  As for me, there are other personal challenges in the waiting.

Through these remarks, I want to bring forth the need for volunteerism within our association.  During the General Assembly of the Federation of Founding Families of Quebec, the association awarded three prizes for volunteerism: Exemplary volunteerism, Remarkable volunteerism and Distinguished volunteerism, typical portraits of the ideal volunteer.  Three individuals receptive and generous.

It is difficult to pinpoint the reasons for the lack of succession on our Board of Directors.  We all have obligations, health problems or other obstacles affecting our capacity to get involved, but the problem remains.  How can we ensure the future of our association by a team of loyal, innovative individuals?  I do have answers, but am still looking for the solution.  Can you help your association solve this dilemma?

Turning to other matters, I wish you a restful summer.  I invite you to attend the next General Assembly, September 19th, 2010, in Rivière-du-Loup.  We will also have the occasion to participate in the “Salon des familles souches de Saint-Hyacinthe”, in early October 2010.  We are also planning on holding a meeting of our association in Granby, towards the end of October 2010, depending on the availability of hotel and restaurant accommodation.

Hoping to meet you soon.  Enjoy yourselves and have interesting readings.

Yvon Marquis-Joubert
Chairman

y.jouber@videotron.ca
450-446-5193
1121 Potvin Street, Beloeil, Qc, J3G 3S6