As April has arrived, I find myself reflecting on just how quickly time passes—where has it all gone? Nonetheless, it’s an exciting time for ARTA, and we have some great announcements to share!
We are thrilled to announce that our international keynote speaker for the 2025 National Virtual Conference will be Jessica Luh Kim. Jessica is a renowned educator, consultant, gerontologist, and Recreational Therapist whose work has greatly influenced research, operational practices, and policies across Canada. Recently, she led an undergraduate course on Ageing and Leisure at the University of Waterloo, which emphasised the critical role that recreation and leisure can play in supporting older adults, currently and in the future. At the moment, Jessica is in Australia, participating in an international conference and workshop tour focused on non-pharmacological approaches to dementia care. We wish her the best during this exciting time abroad.
With the conference on the horizon, we’re excited to announce that online registration is now open! We also encourage all members to submit abstracts for the event. We want to hear from you about the amazing work you’re doing in your specialisations and to showcase the incredible expertise that exists across this country to the world.
While we are thrilled about the conference, we also continue to focus on delivering quality online learning and workshops. However, we have faced some challenges due to minimal participation from both members and non-members, which has led to the cancellation of some sessions. Our Executive Officer Charlise has worked diligently to curate workshop topics that meet the interests of our members, but we must also consider the practicality and viability of hosting workshops. Despite being virtual, these sessions require significant time and resources to develop and present. We invite you to share any ideas you may have for workshops or ways we can improve our offerings—your feedback is always valued.
As many of you are aware, there has been a price increase for membership. This decision was not made lightly, but it is necessary to reflect rising costs associated with rent, wages, and the general operation of our association. We hope you understand that this increase is in line with our commitment to providing the highest level of service, professionalism, and quality for our members.
Lastly, we are excited to announce the establishment of Communities of Practice (CoPs). These specialised groups will offer members the chance to connect, collaborate, and share best practices within their areas of expertise. If you’re interested in joining a CoP or would like more information, please reach out to the office.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to ARTA. Together, we can keep making a positive impact in the lives of older adults and the field of recreation therapy.
Warm regards,
Renée Smith
ARTA President