President’s Message
Tere!
I found the article from National Post on Toomas Hendrik Ilves, to be fascinating! Born in Sweden to Estonian exile parents he was educated in the U.S. and worked in Canada. Influenced by Canadian Estonian politics, he moved to Estonia to become involved with Estonia’s new freedom and went on to become Estonia’s president. Prior to his presidency, Toomas Ilves promoted technology in Estonia. As a result, Estonia is now on the cutting edge of computer technology in education, banking, legislation and voting.
The similarity of President Ilves background to the biography of many of Alberta’s Estonian’s unfolds so typically within our community that it almost slips by as normal. Therein, I suggest, excluding the politics, lays the source of many of our societies’ positive attributes. Add the word ‘inclusive’ and the secret to our success is revealed.
Within the AEHS we have created a social network covering Alberta and beyond, expanded the scope of our membership, established two web sites, produced a quality DVD, enjoyed numerous well-organized events and marked the calendar for more.
It is exciting to see members working towards improving our organization. The minutes of the last two AGM’s now reside on site, and further relevant information will follow. Our membership database is being up-graded, we have a process on the AEHS website for membership application and renewals, and new projects continually come foreword.
Our AGM and the official launch of our AlbertaSource Estonian historical website was our key event since the last issue of AjaKaja. It went very well and provided an opportunity to show our accomplishments to the media and government representatives. It was also a logical time to express our appreciation to those agencies that contributed funds, and to thank our members who worked hard to organize and compile a vast amount of information. That was the completion of phase two and, as I write this, Dave Kiil’s email arrived announcing he has submitted an application for phase three! Be sure to check out this informative web site. (abestonians.AlbertaSource.ca).
The producers of AjaKaja continue to do an excellent job and once again we have to acknowledge our good fortune. This issue of AjaKaja contains the beginning of a series of articles featuring our younger Estonian members. It is a great idea and it should bolster the interest of our younger members in the AEHS. I am looking foreword to it and I have no doubt that it will raise the level of pride in this organization even further.
Good reading to all, and I hope to see you during our summer activities. Not sure what and where? Go to aehs.ca regularly and see what’s happening.
Tervitades,
Bob Kingsep
