President's Report for MSC AGM: May 19th, 2008

Dear Friends,

Like many in the global Montessori community, Canadian Montessorians participated in centenary celebrations throughout this past year both locally and globally. Those in the southern Ontario region had the fortuitous opportunity to attend the historical Centenary Exhibit, hosted by Humberside Montessori, in Toronto last May.

The centenary year was capped off with an inspiring celebration in Ottawa during the Remembrance Day weekend in November. Many heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers in Ottawa, especially our Conference Chair, Ms. Beth Mackay, for their outstanding work. The conference evaluation forms showed that the event was deemed a huge success by the delegates. We are extremely appreciative of all the feedback: It certainly helps us to build upon our success to make future events even better.

The society also extends deep appreciation for all those who took the time to join us for this momentous year, both in the organization of local events and in attending our national celebration. Your participation is demonstrative of the growing commitment within our community for Montessori education and service to the child. Our 2009 Conference is slated to take place in Vancouver, B.C. We look forward to seeing even more of you there!

We are pleased to announce that a piece of Montessori history is now enshrined in our Canadian Parliament: On Friday, December 7, 2007, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Royal Galipeau, MP, read an abbreviated version of the Montessori Declaration in the House of Commons stating our commitment now and in the future to Champion the Cause of All Children, placing them at the centre of society.

The society sent Ms. Beth Mackay to Amsterdam to attend its AGM this spring. She brought back a wealth of information on AMI's expansive vision of bringing Montessori to the wider community. The AMI AGM is open to all AMI members. I encourage MSC members to make an effort to attend the AGM, if possible. Participation at the AGM is rewarding on many levels; including the establishment of new friendships as well as renewal of old ones. The meeting of minds with other members of our international AMI community in one place is both humbling and inspiring.

As I consider my tenure as a director and officer of the Society, and what my last message as President to you all should be, I keep coming back to a guiding principle we can keep in our heart. It is perhaps the reason why we are eager to get to work each day as Montessorians. It is to help create the opportunity for each child to experience genuine happiness. We do this by providing an environment that enables each child to experience the world as an open possibility. Let us recall this sentiment as expressed by Dr. Montessori herself in her lecture entitled, “A New World and Education”:

"At present, we have to battle with the hope of bringing happiness or joy to children, to men and women... The joy of life, the optimism of hope, freedom and independence, love amongst men, are the spontaneous and natural consequences of an education based on life. If these are to be realised, it is necessary to have the right conditions for normal life. It is necessary that all the latent energies should have the possibility of expansion."

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to be of service to you and the society.

Wishing you all the right conditions for joy and happiness, I remain very truly yours,

Yours in Service,
Riza Weinstein