With the start of any new year, I always seem to shift into a sentimental mode of reflection on the year that passed and find myself become a budding seed of potential, preparing for the year ahead. What I love about the experiences that I have been a part of through TakingITGlobal is the process of co-creation, collaboration and creativity that emerges with each project and initiative developed. It always starts with some vague idea about how to change the world and transforms into a clarified concept and components that become more defined as we go along. Each person who is part of any project team takes on an important role in shaping the future direction of the project, through the ideas generated, questions asked, knowledge acquired and talents shared.

Looking back at 2008, I decided to prepare a multimedia clip that pulls together photos from key milestones and moments experienced by our staff over the past year.



While browsing through photos, I felt sentimental and reflective along with a great sense of joy in our shared accomplishments over the year. My apologies go out to the many 2008 team members who were not part of this presentation. I actually put it together over a weekend and it is not comprehensive of the many team members based all over the world who have been actively coordinating local and regional projects - such as our Community Connectors, Virtual Volunteers, CLC Canada & West Africa Teams, Youth for Change coordinators, Multilingual Coordinators, Advisors, Champions, Board Members...and the list goes on. We are still in the midst of compiling photos across our program areas to be included in our 2008 Annual Report. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all of the team members who are part of shaping this incredible journey.



As we look to the future, at our recent staff meeting co-located in Toronto and New York utilizing the CISCO TelePresence technology, we announced our plans to undertake a Strategic Planning Process over the upcoming months that will help to shape and define our prioriites in the upcoming years. We plan to involve the board, staff, members, partners, advisors and other stakeholders in this participatory process. Stay tuned for further details!