UNews - executive officer

Longtime ULFA representative, Rennie, excited about life transition

trevor.kenney — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 22:38:26 +0000

When Brenda Rennie, the executive director of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA), moved to Lethbridge from Vienna, Austria, she thought she would only stay for a few years.

Brenda Rennie retired this past week from the ULFA after almost 30 years of service with the organization.

“I thought we would be here for three years,” she says, “but it’s been over 25 years and we’re still here!”

Rennie retired this past week from the ULFA after almost 30 years of service with the organization. Her journey with the ULFA began in 1985, when she was hired as the sole employee.

“I was hired on as a part-time secretary, and at that time we were representing around 200 faculty,” she says. “It became clear after a few weeks that just answering the phones and opening the mail wasn’t going to be enough for me!”

The ULFA has grown in Rennie’s time from representing just over 200 faculty members to the current membership, which consists of over 500 faculty members, academic assistants and sessional lecturers.

“Until this previous year, our membership grew every year, which kept the role challenging,” she says.

“I sort of created this position from the ground up,” say Rennie, who over the years has worked with 23 ULFA presidents and six staff members in five different locations across campus. “I’ve been so fortunate to have been given an opportunity to grow with the role. That’s been fantastic.”

As executive director, Rennie’s job entails a variety of tasks every day.

“I’ve always seen my role as helping support what the president and executive do,” she says. “I’m always kept on my toes. No two days are ever the same.”

Annabree Fairweather, currently the executive officer of the ULFA, will be stepping into Rennie’s role after spending the past year learning about the job.

“We’ve had a succession plan in place for the past few years, so I feel very comfortable passing the torch, so to speak, to Annabree. The ULFA is going to be in very capable hands,” says Rennie.

When asked about the most memorable aspect of the role, Rennie says it’s always been about the connections she has made with the volunteers of the ULFA.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with some fantastic people,” she says, “and I’ve gained so much from those relationships.”

Rennie’s connection to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge extends beyond her time at the ULFA, though. Her son and daughter attended the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for their undergraduate education, and Rennie is quick to point that fact out to anyone who asks.

“I’m so proud to say that my children graduated from the U of L,” she says. “They had a fantastic experience… it is a great school.”

Spending time with her two sons is part of what Rennie plans to do with her free time.

“It’s going to be a transition, as it is for most retirees. I keep joking that I’m so used to my routine, I’ll be showing up on campus,” she laughs. “I’m looking forward to travelling, hiking, just staying active, but it is definitely going to be a transition, as I like being busy.”

Senate Volunteer Award winners to be honoured

trevor.kenney — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:24:03 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will celebrate its 2010 Spring Convocation this week, Thursday and Friday, and among the honouredattendees will be Senate Volunteer Award winners Elsa Cade and Dr. Robert Hironaka.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate's Volunteer Award recognizes people who have volunteered to serve the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

"The award is open to people who volunteer for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in many ways," says Chancellor Richard Davidson. "A lot of people don't realize that in addition to our talented faculty and staff, we rely on hundreds of people who perform thousands of hours of volunteer work for the institution each year."

Any member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community is eligible for the award, including past and present ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ volunteers and individuals who represent the U of L in the community.

A committee representing volunteers, faculty, staff, alumni and students will screen nominations and develop a pool of approved candidates. Both Cade and Hironaka will be honoured at Thursday evening's Chancellor's Dinner in the U of L Atrium.

Elsa Cade

One of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's most effective ambassadors, Elsa Cade supports and engages in countless ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ activities and events, and advances the institution's relationship with local and global communities.

Over the past 10 years, Cade has been present at every convocation ceremony, many senate committee meetings, all public dinners and receptions, and has attended student events, public lectures, celebrations or announcements, and much more.

She has graciously hosted a vast number of dinner parties for community people, faculty, staff, students, and volunteers. Cade has also travelled frequently to maintain and enhance the U of L's relationship beyond southern Alberta. In particular she has helped foster the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's important relationship with Hokkai-Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Sapporo, Japan.

Beyond the U of L, Cade has provided dedicated volunteer service for several community organizations. She is an active member of the Rotary Club and a board member of 5th on 5th Youth Services of Lethbridge. She has served on the board of the Alberta Science Foundation and the board of the Friends of the Galt Museum.

Following the earthquake in Haiti, Cade harnessed the power of blogging and online social networking to raise funds to purchase 118 shelterboxes, large containers that hold a 10-person tent, blankets, a stove, a tool kit, and other equipment needed by the survivors of that natural disaster.

Dr. Robert Hironaka supporter of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge." src="/unews/sites/default/files/main/articles/senate-hironaka.jpg" alt="" />

Former U of L Chancellor Dr. Robert Hironaka has volunteered throughout the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for many years.

Hironaka was a member of the U of L Senate from 1983 to 1987 and Chancellor from 1995 to 1999. He continues to be one of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's most devoted supporters, making himself available to the U of L whenever he is available to help. He regularly attends special occasions and sporting events at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and participates in committees, fundraisers, celebrations, campaigns, and special presentations.

Hironaka has been an active member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association for several years, in many roles, from executive officer to member at large. He freely shares his expertise and knowledge, and volunteers for many Alumni Association events. A key member of the Alumni Association's Recognition Committee, he is diligent in maintaining this committee's high standards. In 2002, Hironaka received an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the U of L, in recognition of his service to the institution.

In addition to his ongoing support of the U of L, Hironaka is an active volunteer for community organizations like Rotary and the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens (which he helped found).

Whatever volunteer work he is doing, he is an exemplary ambassador for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Cade, Hironaka honoured with Senate recognition

trevor.kenney — Fri, 07 May 2010 20:17:47 +0000

Elsa Cade

Dr. Robert Hironaka

Former U of L Chancellor Dr. Robert Hironaka has volunteered throughout the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for many years.

In addition to his ongoing support of the U of L, Hironaka is an active volunteer for community organizations like Rotary and the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens (which he helped found).

Whatever volunteer work he is doing, he is an exemplary ambassador for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

UNews - executive officer

Longtime ULFA representative, Rennie, excited about life transition

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Senate Volunteer Award winners to be honoured

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