Manitoba Association for Distributed Learning and Training

Second Annual Report

It is my sincere pleasure to present the report on the second year of operation for the Manitoba Association for Distributed Learning and Training.

The past year has been a time of continued growth for the Association as the Board continued to refine the previous work of establishing the association. We have been able to achieve many key accomplishments in that process.

These accomplishments include reporting that the second annual conference was a noteworthy success. The conference was well attended and well received. It also continued to contribute to the association’s growing bank balance.

Other successes over the past year include the move of our bank account to a local credit union; further positive revision of the association’s by-laws and more participation in the key association event – the 2004 conference. A continuing valuable development has been the MADlaT listserve and web page, key vehicles for communication, with support from MERLIN, Red River College and University of Manitoba.

Of course, of most importance to the members, is the mounting of this the 3rd Annual Conference Quality Learning: Making IT Click. The conference is the most obvious benefit to the membership and both the Board and the conference planning committee have spent much of their time connecting -nationally ,international as and well respected individuals in Distance Ed. field to ensure we were able to bring sessions that addressed the membership needs and interests.

The fact that the association has increased recognition is the that we have gathered increasing financial support from member sectors such as 3 Manitoba Government Departments; 9 private sector members ; 3 Universities ; 3 Colleges as well as much needed support from MERLIN. Look at the conference proceedings to see how our friends are and thank them if you have the chance.

All in all, the year has been very productive and it bodes well for further development of the association over the coming 12 months. This is my last AGM as President of the association. It has been my privilege to be the first President of a new association that has such promise for the future. But like any association that is a community of interest, the success of the organization is directly correlated with the members who participate and support it. There have been key individuals that have both helped the association and me over the past years since the first gathering at Red River College some 3 and half years ago. I need to mention Deb Jennings , Dinah Celplis and Bonnie Lutterbach , we all owe them for where are to day.

I close with the invitation to all members to let us know your interest and needs, so your association can best serve you and contribute to the further development of the association. Contact me or any of the Board members to let us know your ideas.

On behalf of all of the Board, I wish you the best for the coming year and look forward to seeing you at next year’s conference.

Paul W. Littlle