President's Message

Answering the Call: Our Pledge for 2010

As the world slowly pulls itself out of financial and economic crisis, many reflect on what the future will hold and what lessons can be gleaned from the events of the past 29 months.  Like no other time in recent history, students wonder whether their education will connect them to their desired careers; professionals question their career ambitions; financial institutions are concerned about their appeal and about having the capacity to compete for the best and the brightest, while the community is unconvinced of its ability to raise its economic condition without any support.  There is a menacing sentiment that the mounting calls for help will either fall on deaf ears or be met with indifference.

While institutions across the country are tapping into the stored value of diverse talent pools, or reaching into diverse communities for mutual support and engagement, frictional barriers remain. While people are awakening to the need for financial literacy and are acknowledging the power of networking, the unrelenting and oppressive forces of social indifference, financial quicksand, feeble networks, and limited career prospects, persist. 

With an unequivocal focus in the financial services industry and a vision to deliver professional development, networking, community outreach and financial literacy to visible minority professionals and communities, the Urban Financial Services Coalition has answered the call. 

Where barriers prevent our stakeholders from effectively connecting with each other, we aim to be the conduit.  Where children seldom find grounds to consider financial services as a viable career option, we aspire to be their rock. Where indifference or despair obstructs our community from driving toward financial wellbeing, we intend to be the ignition.

For all that we aim, aspire or intend to be, the UFSC, as an organization, understands the challenges associated with unlocking unlimited potential using limited resources.  As a volunteer-based non-profit organization we have, and continue to rely, immeasurably, on the time and talent of our members.   Our pledge to answer the call is not always easily fulfilled, but the result can leave us with new skills, new relationships, replenished hope, and a real sense of satisfaction.

In 2010 we will renew our commitment to financial fluency and demonstrate the value in our ability to be fluently bicultural.  In every aspect of what this organization represents, we have endeavoured to answer the call of the community, of our members, and of our corporate and community partners.  We’ve done a good job, but there is more to do.  In 2010 we make our efforts, to ‘answer the call’, uncompromised, unequivocal. 

When a child is in need of financial literacy, a role model, a dream… we will answer the call

When our community is desperately searching for upliftment and inspiration … we will answer the call.

When our corporate partners are looking for talent to fill skilled and progressive roles at their firms … we will answer the call.

When our community partners are looking for financial expertise to speak at an event… we will answer the call.

When a student is desperately trying to break into the capital markets or finance industry… we will answer the call.

When a professional is looking to connect with a network of some of the best and brightest in the world of finance… the Urban Financial Services Coalition is the right call.

In 2010 UFSC is ANSWERING THE CALL.

Yours truly,

Marlon Reid, President
UFSC Toronto