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Hello from new Community Liaison and Communications Officer!

Spring signals new beginnings, so it is a great time to introduce myself as the new Community Liaison and Communications Officer (CLCO) for the Regional Association of West Quebecers.

My name is Gaetanne Séguin and I am very excited about the possibilities of promoting RAWQ throughout the Outaouais Region and expanding public understanding of our primary goal, which is encouraging a healthy English-speaking community in a secure French-speaking Quebec.

A key towards doing that is improving RAWQ's public profile. This organization continues to provide a strong representative voice for the concerns of the English-speaking community at all levels of government and strives to enhance our cultural heritage, but many people don't realize that we're also involved in virtually every aspect of community life for the betterment of everyone in the Outaouais.

That's important to me personally because I just moved to Aylmer from Ottawa with my husband John, and our two young children David and Shifra. Having lived in both Montreal and the Eastern Townships, I'm familiar with the joys and pitfalls of life as an English-speaker in Quebec. I'm looking forward to getting to know better the people of this region and nurturing relations with and between both the English and French-speaking population.

My background includes 20 years as a broadcast journalist, most recently as a news anchor at 580 CFRA radio. I've also worked extensively as a volunteer on several community boards such as the United Way, the Chamber of Commerce and various organizations focusing on mental health, family and culture.

My goal is to exercise my media, public relations and community-building skills to develop a stronger relationship between our association and residents of West Quebec with the goal of serving people more effectively, better supporting their needs, and fostering an environment in which they can thrive in all aspects of life.   

I believe serving others at the grassroots level is the best way to influence a community, and encourage more public involvement in our activities. Nurturing relationships with people will help us achieve key aspects of our mandate to support and enhance the community’s institutions and programs and serve as an information and resource center for the Outaouais.

On another note, let me take this opportunity to encourage your nominations for RAWQ's first annual awards banquet for outstanding West Quebecers. We want to honour people in the Outaouais who have made outstanding contributions in the English-speaking community of West Quebec, and to celebrate the traditional spirit of volunteerism that is such a part of the fabric of life in our region.

Do you know an individual, group or couple who has volunteered time and energy toward improving their community, or who has made a difference in West Quebec? 

Awards will be given for outstanding achievement, community service and leadership, as well as achievements in education, health and social service, recreation and livable communities, arts and culture and youth.

If you want to nominate someone, please contact the Regional Association of West Quebecers by May 1st. For nomination forms, visit www.westquebecers.com, phone our office at (819) 682-9602, call us toll free at (877) 733-0177 or email us at wq@magma.ca.

Please feel free to visit me anytime at the RAWQ offices, located in Aylmer at 53 rue Principale. I'd love to hear your suggestions on how the Regional Association of West Quebecers can better serve you.