The 16th National - Making Connections is now history in Winnipeg. On Monday, the 24th, the CCCYCA held its AGM. This was an election year with an new executive entering two year terms. Seen below from left to right: Robert Bates - CYCABC representative; Kelly Shaw - NSCYCWA representative, Vice President; David Connolly - CYCPEI representative, President;, Cherie Smith - CYCWAM representative, Treasurer; Jennifer Foster - OACYCC representative; and Lori Leonard - CYCANL representative, Secretary. Each has also taken on committee involvement to develop aspects of the agenda going forward. The minutes for the meeting will be published once they are completed. The CCCYCA recognized Heather Modlin as  she passed off the board as Past President  this year. Heather joined the Council board in  1984, in Edmonton at a time when the role &  purpose of the Council was being developed.  Over the years since, she had done much to  raise the profile of the Council and through  the Standards initiative, involve the  membership in contributing their voice to the  process. This model may emerge in the  future, likely with Heather involved, as future  initiatives are explored. Congratulations  Heather and Best Wishes on your continued  contributions to child and youth care in  Canada. In the afternoon, the conference officially  opened with a Meet & Greet. Regretfully, this  poor scribe arrived late to find the food and  wine long gone but a room bursting with  enthusiasm and child and youth care people  meeting and greeting For those who attend  conferences this is often the first opportunity  to catch up with friends not seen in awhile. The first full day of the conference featured an opening keynote  address from Thom Garfat. Ever respectful of context and the  everyday events that can become significant, Thom opened with a  look at those Manitoban's who stand out: Peguis, the chief who  welcomed voyagers to the area, Louis Riel, the unknown Father of  Confederation who created Manitoba, Nellie McClung, who gave  women the vote in Canada, Tommy Douglas, who gave us universal  medical coverage and Margaret Lawrence, a Manitoba author who  wrote about what she knew and so captured and elevated small  town life to the level of literature. Each responded to their  environment and following a discussion of how we physically attend  to life around us, Thom asked the registrants to respond to the many  bids for attention the youth in our care are broadcasting constantly. It  is through responding, making that connection which allows new  learning, from the humble to the historic to emerge. Registrants  moved on to the workshops, coffee breaks and a bagged lunch that  allowed them a quick break before returning to afternoon sessions.