Message from the chair of the board

CH FINANCIAL MESSAGE
I have been asked by the CH team to provide a message which might be helpful in these currently turbulent times. I am pleased to do this and provide a senior perspective: I am in my early 70’s and retired for 13 years after a rewarding 38-year career in the chemical industry. My wife, Bernice, and I have been clients of CH Financial and predecessor companies for over 25 years. Our association has been unique in that we have had a close involvement in the journey that has led CH Financial to its current state. We have been beneficiaries of the company’s integrated service philosophy combined with an empathetic understanding of their clients’ backgrounds and needs.
A memorable piece of advice provided upon retirement was not to be “retired” in the classical sense but “rewired”. The financial stability that CH Financial helped afford our family enabled me to keep my horizons broad and pursue new interests and opportunities. A particular interest of mine revolved around the power of visioning supported by strategies to execute. I developed the methodology during my business career and was able to apply it to a number of areas ranging from corporate management to church groups. Upon retirement I set up my own consulting firm with the help of Jeremy and his colleagues. I’ve taken on many interesting projects, even returning the favour to Jeremy by leading the CH Financial executive team through a visioning and strategy building initiative.
I’d like to share a little of the visioning practice with you as it has great human application, particularly in these tumultuous times.
Its basic premise is that we seek a positive desired future state in our lives, be it personal or career related. It is most worthwhile and motivational to spend time exploring and describing this state.
The next phase is to develop a full understanding of the current state in which we find ourselves.
Once we fully comprehend our current state, we compare the two states and identify the gaps. These gaps are translated into longer term objectives that lead us to achieving our vision.
One of the objectives that usually emerges is financial in nature and this is where CH Financial can be of significant assistance. As I indicated this approach can be applied to a range of applications from individuals to corporations and other institutions. I firmly believe that vision backed by a powerful strategy will get us through these current difficulties. I fervently hope that our government can provide this level of leadership over the coming months. We are all familiar with the famous John F. Kennedy vision to put a man on the moon in 10 years. He was committed and determined, he identified the gaps, he set actionable objectives and within the decade he achieved his goal.
To conclude, I hope I’ve adequately shared a facet of my senior perspective on life and its learnings. I have been blessed with a wonderful family including three successful and productive children who endeavour to enrich society. I leave you with one of my favorite quotes: “Vision without action is dreaming. Action without vision merely passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” If I can offer any advice, it’s that you carry this forward in your current and future lives.