Well, I guess the best place to begin is to start at the beginning so to speak. I was born and raised in Guelph, Ontario where I lived for most of my life. It wasn’t until I went off to college in Hamilton at Mohawk that I actually moved out of the house for two years. Much to my parents’ disappointment, I moved back in to consider my options. After 3 years of consideration while getting a full-time job in radio, I moved out, got married to my high school sweetheart current Guelph Kinette, Theresa. The year was 1986 and Duran Duran was still pumping out music which went on to prove that good looking hairstyles and fashion, counted for more than mere talent.

Fast-forward to 1993 and Theresa and I have moved to Cambridge, more specifically, Preston and it was here that I found out about and experienced Kin through my next-door-neighbour and Kin sponsor, Andrew Armstrong. I eventually said sure I would check out this Kinsmen thing because they were the friendliest and welcoming people that I had met. Even though I was living in Cambridge, I still commuted back and forth to Guelph for work and hadn’t really made any new friends in Cambridge other than my neighbours.

Long story short, I came out, was impressed, the club was hosting Spring Convention, Riverboat Fantasy, 1995 and I decided to join the Preston Kinsmen. Not too long after, Theresa joined the Preston Kinettes and we became fully committed to our clubs.

In 1998, I ran for and received the position of Zone L Deputy-Governor. Claire Rau-Gear and I were the last DGs for Zone L as we were amalgamated in Zone A the following year. In 2006, I was elected President of the Preston Kinsmen and my Kinette counterpart was Deedee Norris.

On a personal note, in June of 2000, Theresa and I left Cambridge to move back to Guelph, and shortly thereafter, Theresa joined the Guelph Kinettes where she continues her Kin career to date.

In 2007, District One elected me to the position of District One Association Director on the National Board of Directors where I served until June 2009. A very intense two years but extremely educational for me personally and it was a wonderful experience to meet Kin from all across Canada. That alone taught me that we are more similar in our districts then we are different.

Starting in early 2009 as I was starting to see the end of my term on NBOD, I was being gently encouraged to run for Vice-Governor. Spring Convention in Leamington, Elaine Couch of the Kitchener-Waterloo Kinettes said yes. So began the District journey and the rest is shall we say history.

Yours in Kin,
Governor Norm

• Born and raised in Guelph Ontario
• First caught the passion of Kin in 1995 by joining the Preston Kinsmen and currently am a member of the K-W Kinsmen
• 1998-1999 served as the last Deputy-Governor for Zone L. At the club level, I held the positions of Scrapbook Editor, Awards Chairman, Registrar, Vice-President and President
• Winner of various awards at the club, zone and national levels including: the Maple Leaf and Outstanding Maple Leaf Awards, Golden Gem Award, Founders Award, Rookie and Kinsmen of the Year
• Happily married to Good Kinette Theresa of the Guelph Kinettes
• Besides being passionate about Kin, I love OHL Hockey which includes being a season ticket holder to the Guelph Storm and have an extensive junior game worn jersey collection.
• My Kinette partner, Elaine Couch and I are honoured to serve you the members as your Governors this year.
• The best piece of advice that I can offer Kin either new or "seasoned" is never be afraid to take the chance to go beyond the club level because it is a terrific way to "Grow, Learn, Make Friends and Have Fun"