As I walked up to the microphone upon the announcement of the results from the first ballot at convention, I took off my jacket and rolled up my sleeves. As we move forward into the next phase of building the Alberta Party into the viable option for Albertans during the next election we have much to do and much to be thankful for. I want you to know that my sleeves are permanently rolled up.
It’s certainly been a whirlwind for me, right from the first media scrum at the convention immediately following my acceptance of the task that you have asked of me, through my first Board meeting as leader on Sunday, and onward through the interviews, phone calls, e-mails, twitter messages and facebook comments!
I’m gratified by the quick interest of the media, as I have been interviewed by media outlets right across Canada. From the Vancouver Sun to the Montreal Gazette, from Sun TV in Toronto to Alberta Primetime we have been generating a lot of interest and a lot of stories, now we need to keep this momentum going.
As I’ve been engaged in all of these activities over these last few days, I’ve also been reflecting on the wonderful people that I’ve met over the course of the campaign. I have such gratitude for the commitment we share, and our hope that we can together, create the foundation for a new, stronger Alberta. So, before I go farther, let me thank you all.
First I want to thank everyone who voted and all the Alberta Party members who have been answering family and friends’ questions about what this new party is, and why we need a new alternative. The strength of our democracy is founded on people’s willingness to engage in the democratic process.
Our leadership campaign team has been my mainstay over the last few months. I’ve appreciated the strength of support that comes from people from diverse backgrounds with strongly held ideas, finding synergy in a common cause and a shared dream. I look forward to your continued involvement and contribution.
To Randy, Lee and Tammy I would like to say that our shared experience on this campaign trail was one of the high points for me. I and our Party benefits from the ideas you brought forth and the passion you hold for acting in service of a better Alberta. Your networks of supporters and their ideas and passion are a critical part of the foundation that we’ve established to build on. The character of an organization is established in its beginnings. The standard we set for respectful, collaborative competition I hope will be the core of what the Alberta Party is known and respected for. I appreciate your offers to assist as we go forward - count on me calling on you. I look forward to working with you in whatever role you choose to play as we go forward.
Thank you, and congratulations to the Board and staff of the Party. You’ve created so many miracles over the past few months that it’s hard to believe just how short a time it’s been. I hope you’re reveling in the knowledge that you’ve produced an amazing start. Sue Huff has been tireless as interim leader and I look forward to working closely with her and with Dave Taylor as we go forward.
If we are to be a learning organization, and ultimately a learning government, then that means we need to learn as much as we can from each experience about how we live our Party’s values to the highest level. So, if you have feedback on the leadership campaign, please send it to leader@albertaparty.ca. Please put “Learning Ideas” in the subject line so we can be sure to record it in the Learning Summary.
