A Farewell Q&A with Laurie Nicol
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s most of you well know, after 33 years with the association, Laurie Nicol will be taking an early retirement at the end of June. Rather than provide a laundry list of accomplishments over the past three decades (we know there are many!), we thought it might be fun to take this opportunity to learn more about Laurie the person, what’s next, and what advice she leaves with us.
What’s your favorite ‘80s jam? Girls just want to have fun – Cyndi Lauper. Music in the 80’s was great. I remember going to The Police Picnic at the CNE grounds and listening to The Police, Flock of Seagulls, The Spoons, The English Beat, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and Talking Heads. (FYI – my parents actually thought I was going to a picnic for policemen!) What’s the last thing you bingewatched on Netflix? Grace and Frankie – I want to look like Jane Fonda when I am 80! What do you want to be when you grow up? Still not sure but have been blessed throughout my life and I want to pay it forward. Looking forward to getting back into volunteering. And while I’m not ready yet, as Tyler is only 21, I look forward to being a grandmother. What inspires you? The feeling of accomplishment, knowing you put 110% into it every time. “Good enough” is not part of my DNA. What are you known for? I would like to think it’s my honesty, drive and compassion for others. What will you do with your free time? What free time? The to-do list on the fridge is a mile long! I want to spend more time visiting with my mom who turned 90 this year and travel…there is a lot more to see and do in this world. If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be? One thing??? That people get more involved. I www.ontariomeatandpoultry.ca
wish more would invest in training of staff or sending them to OIMP events. How would you rate your memory? Pretty great – short-term may be getting a little slower. People laugh at my messy desk, but I know where everything is! What is the longest distance you’ve driven for your favourite member product and how much did you spend? Umm, only one favourite? I have a lot. Rest assured I will still be driving across Ontario with my cooler and stopping to stock up. What will you miss the most? The people, the relationships, the challenges. What do you think will change in industry over the next five years? Unfortunately, I fear the regulatory burden isn’t going away as evidenced this year with all the changes to Employment Standards. What might a member be surprised to know about you? I had a stroke when I was 31, but with my tenacity and determination – plus my relatively young age and support from family and friends - I’m still here! Any advice for your successor? Don’t try to replicate me – blaze a new trail - be creative - think outside the box. Any advice for your team? Keep smiling and supporting each other and your new team captain. Show them what you’ve got!
The staff and board would like to take this opportunity to express best wishes to Laurie for a long and happy retirement, and many thanks for the years of dedication and commitment to the industry and to the association. Please feel free to contact Laurie at the office until the end of June if you’d like to touch base before she leaves us and begins the next chapter. BLOCKtalk - Summer 2018
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