INNISFAIL – It was less than a week from Christmas when Sandy Bexon had her favourite day during her 15 memorable years as communications coordinator at Chinook’s Edge School Division.
There was a special gathering she had to attend on Dec. 19.
It was a tribute for her, a farewell retirement celebration; a top choice for favourite day at Chinook’s Edge.
“It’s because there were so many heartfelt sentiments shared with me about my impact, and I always wanted to have my efforts be worthwhile for other people,” said Bexon, noting family members also attended the special gathering. “It's never just been a job. For me, it's really been a focus of my life; a way of life for me to be part of this team.
“And to have a send-off where I know in my heart that's how I'm being seen here, was really gratifying to me.”
There were many gratifying professional moments as well, like her vital role more than a decade ago in the creation of a collage of nearly 300 photos that became an essential vision and mission poster for every office and classroom throughout the division.
But Bexon, who began at Chinook’s Edge in September of 2007 after serving seven years as communications coordinator at Olds College, knew her time for change had come.
“I wanted something new in my life. I'm ready to not work full-time,” said Bexon, adding her decision to finally move towards retirement came to her last spring.
“It came to me all of a sudden that I was starting to feel the strain of my role. Up until then I had only felt the joy and the challenge, and I thought, ‘that says to me it's time to go',” said Bexon, who is now 61-years-old and planning to pursue freelance writing opportunities.
“I still love my job. While I still am feeling at the top of my game, I wanted to start this next chapter fresh.”
Bexon’s official last day as Chinook’s Edge’s communications officer was Dec. 31.
However, she’s not entirely fading away from the school division.
Bexon will be doing some communications work for Chinook’s Edge for at least a year; a role that will see her working from home a couple days a month, and a few more at Chinook’s head office in Innisfail.
Her full-time role will be replaced by the communication leader she herself replaced in 2007.
Laurette Woodward is returning as Chinook’s Edge’s new communications coordinator.
“This is not the same job she left with me. The role has totally multiplied in its responsibilities and reach, I would say,” said Bexon, who has great professional respect for Woodward.
In fact, they collaborated in 2003 to put together a new vision for the Community Learning Campus.
“I'm going to give her a lot of space and let her get some traction with this role because this is a really pivotal role at Chinook’s Edge,” said Bexon. “She needs to develop relationships and get really sound footing to be able to serve all the people's needs she'll be working with.”
Woodward begins her new role on Jan. 9. Bexon will spend that first week with her, a task that is being mutually appreciated.
“When I saw her at work, I knew she would be a perfect communications ambassador for Chinook’s Edge - and I was right,” said Woodward in her “Back to the future” introductory greeting for the pre-Christmas Celebrating Chinook's Edge bulletin.
“Now, as we all bid her a happy retirement, I’m very happy that Sandy will be staying on in a casual communications role.”
