Pursuers of Excellence Alumni Club
Keep the Support Network Going
Meet the Executive...
Please feel free to send us a line, request, question or simply to join in. Email President Joanne Swensrude at jswensrude@shaw.ca
Joanne Swensrude, PAC President
Joanne first took the
Pursuit of Excellence in 1988 when she was 21 years old. It was the turning
point in her life. Her career soon began to take shape as she diligently
attended night courses at NAIT to obtain her Computer Systems Technology
diploma. She soon started teaching computer classes, something she never
thought was possible since public speaking was something that had always
terrified her! That same year, she met her husband-to-be. They now have three
wonderful daughters.
She was reacquainted with the Excellence Series in 2004 when she audited the Pursuit and continued on with The Wall and the Advancement of Excellence. Many doors have opened for her since then, including opening her own computer training business and working from home, a long-time dream of hers. "The Sky's the Limit" is now a phrase that keeps her going!
Over the last few years, she has held various positions on the PAC executive including Webmaster, Breakfast Speaker Coordinator, Vice President and now President. She hopes all grads will continue to attend the events PAC offers and support each other. How quickly we can fall back into the same patterns if we don't keep in contact with our PAC friends! Contact Joanne at jswensrude@shaw.ca and visit her on her website: www.knowitsooner.com
Don Stuike, Vice President
Don is a proud graduate who has learned a lot about himself and has made
many wonderful friends as a result of the Excellence Series. In 2004, he
took The Pursuit of Excellence and The Wall then completed the Advancement
of Excellence in 2005. Don has previously served on the PAC Executive as a Membership Coordinator and Assistant Membership Coordinator. He has also been a team assistant for several Pursuits of Excellence and last year audited the Advancement of Excellence.
Don is grateful for the opportunity to serve as Vice President and is looking forward to a wonderful year for PAC.
Asley Jacobsen, Past President
I'll tell you who I am by where I want to go: I will help people be healthy and physically active like never before.
I aim see people freed from what they believe binds them.
I plan to one day visit the moon.
I will write.
I choose to live in a world where the Excellence Series isn't a course, but a way of life.
Stephanie Buchanan, Events Coordinator
In 2006 I was in a rut, having lost interest in almost everything. On a whim I attended a Pursuit of Excellence intro session with a friend. The presentation really reached me and I signed up that night. I attended the Pursuit in March of 2007, followed immediately with The Wall in April. I had a fantastic time in each of the courses and shared the journey with some amazing people. I
completed the series with the Advancement in November 2007 and continue
everyday to live the lessons I’ve learned and to learn more about
myself. After completing the Advancement I was asked to join the PAC executive as the Events Coordinator. I enjoy being part of the alumni group and have even had an opportunity to assist in a Pursuit.
During the day I work as a Project Manager in the IT field and have recently started a small catering company, Cewick Plate Catering. In our spare time my husband and I love to be active, participating in boot camp, curling and our new love, scuba diving.
Felicity Youngward, Breakfast Coordinator
I was introduced to the Excellence Series by my
husband Jeremy and after some persuading, he convinced me to do the Pursuit of
Excellence in the fall of 2007.
I then took the Wall a year later and now I am
in the process of completing the Advancement of Excellence.
I have really enjoy
the benefits of the Excellence series and the support system of the
Currently I am working as a Team Supervisor with ATCO I-TEK
leading a team of call centre customer service representatives and call quality
agents of approximately 50. Between work and the PAC executive I definitely
meet my needs of contribution, accomplishment and fun!! I look forward to the
rest of 2010 being involved in the PAC and welcoming a new addition to my life,
Jeremy and I are expecting our first child in June.
Jeremy Youngward, Breakfast Speaker Coordinator
I
met Bobby at a morning mixer hosted by the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, and
was introduced to the Excellence Series by him. I had just begun a new job
working for my father in law, and was seeking answers to how I could become a
more successful person. Over time, and three course later, I’ve learned to
create my own success by having a clarity of purpose. Besides spending time as
an administrative assistant to Bobby, my time is filled with my small business,
friends, and family, including welcoming a new child in June. Patricia Ogilvie, Webmaster
About Patricia: Patricia Ogilvie has been working
in the computer industry since 1989, first in systems analysis and then
writing content for web sites. She ventured into Internet Marketing in
2000 as a copywriter, and started applying SEO in 2008. Patricia wrote
the book “Fame Factors: How To Get Business Recognition”. Her shift to
Search Engine Optimization has produced a profound gift – she ranked
her first website, salesletter.ca in the #6th spot in Google in
less than a month.
What's more, Patricia has been a Context grad since 1989. Her passion is wordsmithing, her niche industry is well-being, and she offers business advice and support for your web presence – Your Web's SEO: What People Want (And What They Don't)
Kathy Erickson, Emailer
In 2004, I
had it all, married, two lovely daughters, stay at home mom, and so
on. But, I was unhappy. Something was missing. After several months
of coercing by my good friend, and many conversations with Bobby, I
finally signed up to take the Pursuit of Excellence, without even attending
an intro session. I learned so much about my self in just one weekend,
that I was hungry for more. I continued with the Wall in December of
2004, after which I immediately enrolled in the Advancement of Excellence
in January 2005. I discovered what was missing in my life. I needed
connection with people! I needed to accomplish things throughout my
day, more than changing diapers and mopping floors. I needed to feel
worthy and appreciated for who I am. So, I obtained a part time job at the University as a filing clerk for one professor. With the confidence and personal skills I discovered and built up, I soon became in high demand and was working for many professors, as well as Alberta Canola Producers, and Alberta Agriculture, as Administrative Support, and setting my own hours around my children’s school schedule. I was soon turning away work as my schedule became more than I could handle. As part of fulfilling my driving needs, I joined the PAC Executive in 2004 as the Events Coordinator, then became the Breakfast Coordinator. I have made many wonderful, close friends through the Excellence Series, and still keep in touch with them to this day. They know things about me that many other friends would not, and accept me for who I am.
I have assisted several of the courses, which I would encourage each and every one of you to do, if you have not done so already! The learning of my self (again) in a different light, was phenomenal; it brought me to where I am today. Through many of life’s challenges and trials, I have recently moved to Kelowna, BC, where I work from home, and have put my girls first and foremost in my life. I spend a lot of time volunteering at the school and on field trips. It is where I belong, with them; they are of utmost importance to me, and I meet my driving needs through volunteering!!
And, being the dedicated person that I am, I have recently returned to the PAC Executive as Membership Coordinator, supporting you, my fellow members, by creating and sending out the emails that you all receive every month. It is fun, creative, and a great way to stay connected.
Bobby Ng, Excellence Series Facilitator
Bobby Ng brings a wealth of experience to the service of clients:
- 17 years of leading personal development courses
- 56 years in professional public speaking
- and 72 years of life experience.
Starting in 1993 he facilitated programs like The Pursuit of Excellence as far west as Parksville BC and Wenatchee WA and as far east as Rochester, New York and across the globe in Manila, Philippines.
He is owner, president and program leader at BNG Pro Motion Ltd., offering courses which since 1979 have assisted over 80,000 people to lead happier, more successful lives. You can find Bobby at www.excellenceedmonton.com.
His broadcasting career began at age 16 with a company that grew into the Philippines’ largest network. This career spanned 39 years in three cities – Manila, Vancouver and Edmonton and was distinguished by several highlights.
Among these:
- Bobby emceed two concerts by The Beatles and wrote 4 front page articles on them for the Philippines’ #1 newspaper.
- He conducted celebrity interviews with John Wayne, Ray Charles, ABBA, Tony Bennett, Paul Anka, Harry Belafonte, Nana Mouskouri, Anne Murray, the Everly Brothers, Tom Jones, and others.
- He covered state visits by President Eisenhower and Gen. Douglas MacArthur
- He hosted a weekly TV dance show and a weekly TV boxing card.
- He covered basketball leagues, the Asian Games in Indonesia, and many more events.
In Manila he co-founded a company that grew into a leading advertising agency, eventually acquiring and operating a major TV-radio network. For 9 years he served as vice-president and general manager.
Bobby as also taught at De La Salle University and Philippine Women's University in Manila.
Celia Conway, Treasurer
I was introduced to the pursuit of excellence series through friends Joanne Swensrude, and Tim and Monica Rosborough. I had just gone through a separation and feeling a little insecure about myself, and not sure how to move forward. I took the Pursuit in May 07, followed by the Wall, and the graduated from the Advancement November 07.Currently my life revolves around my son, having fun at work and enjoying time with friends. Since completing the excellence series; I have been gaining confidence in myself, meeting many new friends, learning and experimenting with new ideas. I am continually growing as person, and moving forward in many ways. I have joined the PAC executive as Treasurer because I believe PAC is a wonderful support network, and I enjoy being a part of a great team.
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