January has flown by, and we are already approaching the midpoint of Q1. It has been an incredibly demanding month, particularly with the ratings appeal window closing on the 22nd. As this was a new process, the office handled a high volume of member queries; we will be surveying members at the end of the quarter to capture their feedback and improve the experience moving forward.

We are also closely managing the impact of the bank’s announcement to close 44 branches. I want to extend a huge thank you to the reps who have been supporting members through this difficult transition.

Following our January NEC meeting, recruitment plans are now active in all areas. It’s time to press ahead and strengthen our collective voice. Please continue to promote the ‘Starter for 10’ campaign—if you need merchandise to boost visibility on-site, contact your NEC lead.

Finally, we welcome the new CEO, Mahesh Aditya. I will be meeting with Mahesh soon to discuss our partnership and ensure our members’ interests remain a top priority under his leadership.

Jim