Cher Peres, membre du conseil d'administration de la Fondation, Boursiers, Mesdames et Messieurs. Je suis honore et privilegie de vous adresser ce soir dans le cadre de 40eme anniversaire de la Fondation du Pere Jean.

Reverend Fathers, Members of the Board of the Foundation, Honored Scholarship Recipients, Dear Guests and friends. It is an honor and a privilege for me to have been asked to speak to you this evening on this the 40th anniver­sary of the Father Jean Foundation.

It is great to see so many familiar faces here this evening; many of whom have contributed tirelessly to not only this foundation over the years, but also to the Ukrainian community in Montreal as a whole. Many of whom were there for me as a kid with words of encouragement, a pat on the back or just simply a warm friendly smile. Their contribution has been, and continues to be the driving force behind this most worthy cause.

It is particularly gratifying for me to be here tonight as I get a chance to pay tribute, and one that is long overdue, to someone who was so proud of this community, his heritage and of me, my late father Michael Boychuk in whose name our family proudly initiates a scholarship to continue to pro­mote our Ukrainian youth in education.

When Eric Martin approached me last spring to speak at this event, I asked "What would you like me to speak about?" His response was simple yet became complex as I started to put pen to paper. He said "Why don't you talk to our young scholarship recipients about what you think has made you successful". My initial thought was how does one talk about oneself in a manner that doesn't comes across as arrogant or boastful. However, as I reflected upon his suggestion, I thought that maybe through a bit of a retrospection on my life to date I could in fact put some perspective on what has worked for me. Interestingly enough, my definition of success has changed over the years. While I have had many different opinions about what it means, hopefully my parting remarks tonight will convey to you what I truly believe y, success is all about. I sincerely hope it can help some of you build a framework for the successes you will undoubtedly enjoy as you go forward in life. In no small way, your being honored here tonight is clearly a testament to some early success.

Success is a relative term, much as beauty is to the eye of the beholder. The Oxford Dictionary defines success with words such as prosperous, fortunate, lucky, virtuous, happy, and satisfied to name but a few. In fact, Albert Einstein once said, "The dictionary is the only place in the world where success comes before work." While I have been fortunate enough to have experienced many of the above, over my lifetime I have often personally redefined what success has meant to me.
Bear with me as I spend a few moments dwelling upon some of these more superficial definitions by recounting to you how some of these elements of success took me from a position no different from where anyone of you are sitting here tonight, to becoming a key member of a senior management team in one of Canada's Largest Corporations as Treasurer of Bell Canada Enterprises. My message is hopefully something that you will find helpful as you go forward in your lives.

I believe the key to success incorporates two main ingredients: Drivers and Enablers. The Drivers comprise such things as ambition, determination, perseverance, motivation, focus and a plain old desire of trying to be the best at whatever you do. A little luck along the way doesn't hurt, as I have learned that often times it is better to be lucky than smart, although one can always argue that if you are smart you will make your own luck. These Drivers, in my opinion, are there for all of us, but it is up to you to choose the ones you want to use in the recipe that becomes your life.
 
Given my modest background, I probably never would have dreamed of doing what I do today and God knows I have dreamt and continue to dream. But deep down inside I have always felt that given good health, self-confidence and faith in God, I could probably do just about anything I put my mind to.

To give them full credit, perhaps my parents and grandparents dared to dream as much if not more for me. But then that's what parents and grandparents do. They have big dreams for their children and those dreams seem to be limitless. As a father of two, I have now found this out for myself. Their constant love and encouragement is what motivated me to always do better. So, on that note, I recommend, no rather I urge you to be grateful for family and extended family. They are your foundation, devoted to you and want nothing more than for you to succeed in life.

The second key ingredient is the Enablers. These are the forces that take those elements that comprise the Drivers, package them and make it all happen. Enablers usually appear in the form of mentors, partners, teachers and Guardian Angels or simply those who help guide you on the path of life. They don't offer you a map or guidebook or even a recipe for success, but rather lead by example and embody the values that should one day become your own.

And while I have had many terrific mentors and guides over my career, none have had a more profound and formidable impact on my life than three woman.

In my early years, the biggest influences on my life were a loving mother and doting grandmother. My Baba, as she was known, was very influential and brought me up while my parents went to work. I am sure that many of you here this evening can relate to this. By day, my Baba would instill long lasting values such as love, kindness, encouragement, religion and the concept of hard work to name a few. At night my mother, after a hard day at work, not only helped me with my homework but instilled in me the desire to succeed and strive to be the best. Through her I learned early on something that I believe very much today and that is that "Good isn't good enough". From my earliest years in school she taught me the need to excel. She knew how to be tough with me but also how to reward me with hugs and kisses. Both of these women made sure I knew how appreciated and loved I was and constantly were there to provide support and encouragement, and occasionally a good kick in the pants. Many of my basic and most fundamental management beliefs today - things like competing, hard to win, facing reality, and motivating people can be traced to these women. Both of them helped me build my own self-esteem, and while only one of them is still with me today my Baba's spirit lives deep within me.

The third woman is my loving wife, the glue that keeps everything together. For the past twenty plus years I have been blessed with an incredible partner. Over the years she has endured and tolerated the intolerable but has always understood my drive and desire and has relentlessly stood by my side and encouraged me every step of the way. God knows there have been countless late evenings, missed anniversaries, all nighters, cancelled vacations, getting called back in the middle of vacations, and a whole list of numerous other disappointments. Without her support, understanding, love and encouragement I don't think I would be where I am today.

So as you go forward in life you too will learn that success doesn't come without sacrifice. The old saying "No Pain, No Gain" takes on a very appropriate meaning. But I digress...

In high school, my life seemed to be full of questions and some doubt. I didn't know when, or if I would find any answers, and at that age we all want answers and if you are anything like me you want them fast. At that point in my life, options as to what I could become seemed limitless, yet I had no clue. Sometimes I still think I don't. Even today I often wonder "What I want to be when I grow up?" My family never pushed me in one direction or another except to make sure I continued my education. What do you become, what do you do when you're at an age when you can do or become any- thing? How do you make a choice? Well, in the face of uncertainty, I have learned to always move forward. Looking back over your shoulder will only cause you to trip. Keep as many options open as possible. Trust me, at some point things just start to fall into place and you move forward, sometimes in leaps and bounds and other times just one little step at a time. Remember, Patience is a virtue. I am still learning this.

My first summer job after high school was sweeping floors and packing boxes in a factory. Any thoughts I may have had about leaving school after that summer job, were quickly dismissed. It was truly the "gun" to my head that I needed to realize the importance of a higher education even if I didn’t know where it would lead me. That summer, I learned what I didn't want to do and understood more emphatically than ever before, the early preaching of my parents about the importance of a higher education. Yet, I still yearned to find my place in this life. That mundane job experience forced me to seriously ask myself, "What do I enjoy? What am I good at?" I can recall at an early age, I would spend hours with my brother Rick collecting empty bottles at nearby construction sites and exchanging them at the local grocery store to make some money. When I was about sixteen years old and finishing high school, my father asked me, one morning during breakfast, "If I had any idea what I would do now that I was through High School?" I was so naive that I answered I was going to enjoy the summer and have fun." After a chuckle he suggested I might consider going into business because I was good with numbers. He apologized for the fact that he couldn't give me better advice given his meager education, but I always thought and still think he did pretty good for himself. This was the only directional suggestion ever made to me by him or anyone in my family for that matter. I guess my early attachment to business comes from him.
Throughout this period of my life, sports were also very important to me. I loved most sports but excelled particularly in hockey. I think today a lot of my motivational, team work and leadership attributes date back to my hockey days and I would encourage all of you to participate in extra-curricular activities that can stimulate you and uncover hidden talents but most importantly allow you to devel­op friendship, camaraderie and the concept of team. For through it all, seldom does one become suc- cessful without the help and encouragement of others.
CEGEP, was a two year vacation that made my first year at McGill feel like I had run into a brick wall at 100 miles an hour. In fact, I don't know of any other point in my life that I accomplished so much. I got terrific grades in CEGEP by doing so little. Ah, if life were so simple. If I can bestow any wisdom upon you, take CEGEP seriously and don't deprogram good study habits that have taken you years to acquire. You will need them in spades for the next leg of your life's journey.

Having survived the initial culture shock my first semester at McGill offered me, I thoroughly enjoyed the remaining years I spent there, which to this day remain some of the best in my life. I took general business classes and did well in accounting. I started setting goals for myself and became extremely focused and motivated on becoming a chartered accountant. I took this on with great furor and went after this goal with passion and a fierce appetite to succeed. This just happened, mostly because I did well in an initial general accounting course. The Professor that taught me that course encouraged me to specialize in accounting. He said, "You are really good at this and should major in it." I ended up with a 98 in that course, and that Professor remains to this day a good friend of mine. Once I decided that this was what I wanted to do. Drive, Determination, Perseverance and a whole lot of sacrifices took me across the finish line.

In 1978, four short years (although there were times it felt like an eternity) after I entered McGill not having a clue about what I would be when I grew up... I experienced perhaps one of the greatest successes and most joyous moments of my life when I appeared at the old Gazette building on St. Antoine Street, hardly able to stand from a raucous evening of beer drinking, and saw my name in the early edition paper as having passed the CA exams. That pivotal moment would pave the path for my future and believe me it certainly did. Let me put some context on this for you. In 1978 the CA exams were a four day endurance test and I seriously wondered about coming back for the next three days after I wrote that first day.
If you are uncertain as to which direction to take, seek out something you like and try to expand in that field. Work experience, be it summer employment, an after school job or volunteer work, can all be valuable tools in guiding you through this arduous decision making process. Knowledge is always gained from experience. My father always said "Experience costs you money or it hurts or sometimes both". Regardless, experience is a life learning lesson that teaches you something you can't learn from a textbook or a classroom. You always walk away with something positive from a job, whether it is specific skills, leadership abilities or just learning how to interact with people. As you get older you will begin to realize just as I have that what your parents tell you is seldom wrong. It's called life's experiences. Take advantage and seek their Wisdom.

Whether you have the slightest interest or an immense passion for a particular field, set goals for yourself, focus on them, and above all persevere. Never, ever let anyone tell you "you can't, or it's impossible" because where there's a will there's a way. When I was at McGill, a friend of my father’s would always say to me that I would never get ahead staying in Quebec with a name like Boychuk. Even at that time I never believed this and some 30 years later I was right. I never left Montreal, notwithstanding many opportunities that presented themselves abroad and still believe this city is one of the best in the world for standard of living and quality of life. As far as taxes are concerned..., well that's another story. Everything you grasp at your age today will come into play at some time in your life..., except for maybe Calculus, but then that depends on where you end up. It all boils down to drive and belief in your-self. So never worry about your ethnic background; be proud of your roots and let your achievements allow you to prosper. My late grandmother, a rock of a woman used to always say ("Toy, hto svoho tsurayetsya, toho Boh karaye") and I have never forgotten this.

Throughout my career, I have held many positions, some menial and some very senior, and can say that each one has been a stepping stone and a valuable learning experience that has led me to where I am today. Yes drive, determination and good education helped but I had no better teacher than experience itself. Along the way there were some setbacks but they just instilled a stronger desire in me to succeed. I honed my skills with every job and experience and became more confident in tackling anything I was confronted with. The global world is all about change and adapting is very important. I've never been afraid of change, rather, I have always embraced it. I must reiterate that a little bit of luck helps, but I think personality, character and integrity have been my greatest assets.

Hopefully, I have shared a little part of my life journey with you and maybe even imparted on you something useful and insightful, and if I did, then this evening will have been an enormous success for me. As you embark on your life’s journey, do not be afraid if somewhere along the road you have to take a detour. If you make a mistake along the way and, let me be clear, you will make mistakes, learn from these and turn them into positives. Often times failure itself leads to success. To note the famous poet T.S. Eliot, "Success comes in cans, failure in can'ts." Remember everything in life happens for a reason.

Permit me to inspire you with a thought - the legacy you leave behind will be measured not by money, power, fame or position, but by how you treat people and the kind of impression you make on them. Have the determination to do things well and never take things for granted. If you are conscientious of being in the service of others and have a keen awareness of the people you work with, you will always be a success.

Let me then summarize for you what I have tried to convey with these ten little tips which I believe have helped me to succeed and hopefully they can help you.

1.  Have confidence in yourself and maintain, a positive attitude. Go forth knowing that knowledge is valuable but knowing how and what to do with it is not only critical but essential. Confidence in oneself is at least 75% of the battle won. Everyone can be anything they want to be. It's your life and it's up to you to take charge of it.
2.  Dream, dream ... and never stop dreaming and when you reflect on your dreams pursue them with vigor. Every dream can be fulfilled if you have the desire and mind set to do so.
3.  Always be respectful of those you encounter on life's journey. Treat them as you would want to be treated yourself. You can accomplish so much more by being nice to people. It's easy to climb to the top but tougher to stay up there. Remember, what goes around comes around.
4. Always take care of yourself. Physical well being will enhance and promote mental well being. We all take our health for granted yet when it’s gone, it's gone. If you have your health you will always be able to seek and achieve your dreams.
5. Enjoy everything you do. It has to be fun. Get the dollar signs out of your eyes. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with making money. It’s only wrong when it’s your primary objective…money isn't what it’s all about. Doing what you truly love to do is. As you sit here tonight regardless of whether you are now in CEGEP or University, have fun and enjoy it. Trust me, these next years are perhaps some of the best years of your life. And if you are anything like I was, you may have days where you will feel the stress and pressure of school. Remember this, my father often told me, "You don't even know what the words stress and pressure even mean yet." And he was of course. prophetically right.
6. Our Universities in Quebec are World class, it’s just that the rest of the World has not yet realized it. Over my career I have crossed paths, encountered and negotiated deals with people having educational pedigrees from some of the most prestigious Ivey league schools and Universities around. I have found my educational background was as solid as any of theirs. Einstein once said," Nature gave man two ends - one to sit on and one to think with. Ever since the dawn of mankind, man's success or failure has been dependant on the one he uses."
7. Be thankful, thoughtful and respectful of your parents for in large part it is their love, encouragement and the many sacrifices they have made that have paved the path for you.
8. Work life balance is very important, and while I may not be the best authority on this, I try to divide my life into 1/3 work, 1/3 personal, and 1/3 family. Although anyone of these at anytime can break equilibrium. Just ask my wife and kids.
9. Always give 100% and remember it is better to do something and fail than to do nothing at all. And finally.
10. Never give up. When you achieve one dream, dream another. Dreaming should be a lifetime occupation. Determination and perseverance will often beat out talent. I’d rather have someone with a little knowledge and a whole lot of desire than a Prima Dona with lots of knowledge.

I have talked to you at length about some of the things that I believe have allowed me to be successful, but let me conclude by telling you what I truly believe success is all about. My definition of success, and it took the death of my father at far too young an age, and a whole lot of years thereafter to realize it, and that is, “If my kids, family, and friends can remember and talk about me long after I am gone, with the same passion, reverence, and fondness, and maybe even a tear or two, that I remember and talk about my father today, well then I would have considered myself to have been a huge success,

Congratulations on your wonderful achievement this evening. I sincerely wish you every success possible for the future, and as you continue with your scholastic and professional endeavors, always remember this great organization from which you have benefitted. I am proud of my Ukrainian heritage and so should each of you. Good luck, and God Bless you all with good health and many great successes.
Dyakoyu, Merci, Thank you

Michael T. Boychuk
November 22nd, 2003