CRAJ Fall 2020

Fall 2020 (Volume 30, Number 3)

Who’s in the Rheum? CRA Staff Edition (Part 1)

Welcome to the first part of our Who’s in the Rheum? CRA Staff Edition series! We hope to share some of the personalities behind the CRA who work so hard to support our members. Interviews with other members of our staff will be published in the Winter issue.

Mona Bosinceanu

Please describe your role at the CRA in one sentence.
As an Office Manager reporting to the CEO, I am responsible for supporting the smooth and efficient running of the CRA, with a strong focus on administrative and operational excellence.

How long have you been with the CRA?
Since November 2018.

What is your favourite CRA memory to date?
The successful Canada Night event in Atlanta, in 2019.

How has COVID-19 impacted your day-to-day operations?
Internet usage “black-outs” which occur quite frequently.

What were your summer plans this year pre-COVID?
Travel/Safari in Africa.

Where is your next destination once it’s safe to travel?
Hopefully the African Safari which was postponed.

If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island, what two items would you want to have with you (excluding basic necessities)?
My dog and a bottle of wine.

Can you share any of your hidden talents or hobbies?
Ping-pong/badminton/tennis.

What are you watching or reading these days?
Modern Family

What’s your favorite ‘80s or ’90s jam?
Vanessa Paradis

Sharon Brinkos

Please describe your role at the CRA in one sentence.
I am the Membership and Sponsor Coordinator; I also respond to all general inquiries.

How long have you been with the CRA?
Since June 2013.

What is your favourite CRA memory to date?
I can’t say there is only one, as every year at the ASM something seems to happen that puts a smile on my face or sends our team into hysterics.

How has COVID-19 impacted your day-to-day operations?
Yes – scheduling important meetings around my daughter’s school schedule due to the strain on our internet.

What were your summer plans this year pre-COVID?
We were moving, so lots of unpacking to do and no actual travel plans.

Where is your next destination once it’s safe to travel?
I’m not a world traveller but hope to drive to eastern Canada (Newfoundland) to see family. A plane ride is not in my near future!

If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island, what two items would you want to have with you (excluding basic necessities)?
Magnifying glass and Swiss Army knife.

Can you share any of your hidden talents or hobbies?
I absolutely love to cook and have won a couple of baking awards. Butter tarts are my specialty!

What are you watching or reading these days?
I read cookbooks. Taste of Home books are my favourite.

What’s your favorite ‘80s or ’90s jam?
I’m a country girl at heart so Garth Brooks, Reba McIntyre, Brooks & Dunn, and Alan Jackson were always playing on my radio.

Sue Ranta

Please describe your role at the CRA in one sentence.
I coordinate and support the activities of various operational committees and working groups.

How long have you been with the CRA?
Since October 2018.

What is your favourite CRA memory to date?
Claire LeBlanc’s live performance at the 2020 gala dinner – she was incredible!

How has COVID-19 impacted your day-to-day operations?
Not really, aside from the welcome distraction of having my 2 girls under one roof again.

What were your summer plans this year pre-COVID?
Camping and cottaging . . . not much has changed!

Where is your next destination once it’s safe to travel?
Australia to visit my sister.

If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island, what two items would you want to have with you (excluding basic necessities)?
A notebook and a pen.

Can you share any of your hidden talents or hobbies?
Upcycling and refinishing furniture.

What are you watching or reading these days?
Imperfect Birds by Anne Lamott.

What’s your favorite ‘80s or ’90s jam?
Anything and everything by The Tragically Hip – it was the soundtrack to my life back then!