01-30_GENERALS_Fall25_PT - Flipbook - Page 8
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
“HOW CAN ENGAGING WITH THE
OGCA MAKE ME 10% HAPPIER?”
Connection, learning, and impact through OGCA
By GIOVANNI CAUTILLO, OGCA President
“Tell me and I will forget, show me and
I may remember; involve me and I will
understand.”
– Confucius
O, WHY START WITH the historical
philosopher Confucius when
most individuals reading this
article are seeking input from
the Ontario General Contractors
Association (OGCA) on matters
that affect them directly?
Because these incredibly sage words
will form the basis of why you - our
members - need to be more involved
and connected to the OGCA. And once
you become more engaged with the
OGCA, this will lead to you becoming 10%
happier!
I’m serious... Don’t believe me? Let me
demonstrate.
Firstly, the World Happiness Report –
2025 notes in Chapter 2, titled Caring and
Sharing: Global Analysis of Happiness
and Kindness, the following information:
S
Social Connection Is a Strong Predictor of
Happiness
Sharing experiences is
sharing knowledge - and this
knowledge transfer betters
you and the entire industry.
YOUR INPUT
The OGCA is always open to input and
recommendations from our members.
If you have any input to provide on the
priorities in our strategic plan, please reach
out to the OGCA directly at info@ogca.ca.
8 the generals • FALL 2025
Social connection is one of the most
powerful contributors to well-being.
People who feel they can count on others
for support report signi昀椀cantly higher
life satisfaction. In fact, social support is
twice as common as feelings of loneliness, and it has a stronger link to happiness than income or absence of mental
illness.[1]
The OGCA is a community of likeminded individuals working towards
a common goal through open lines
of communication and interaction.
Although the setting is work-centric,
this does not diminish the overall social
connection you can make with individuals
who understand you.
Imagine meeting peers who know
exactly what you are going through.
These individuals can be an excellent
source of growth for you, since your
networking will uncover shared
experiences that enrich all parties.
Sharing experiences is sharing knowledge
- and this knowledge transfer betters you
and the entire industry.
You may believe that you are the only
one who goes through challenges. These
individuals can demonstrate that you are
not alone. You are connected!
But this social connection is only
reached by participating.
By joining an OGCA Committee
– you’ll meet new and interesting
individuals who are as inquisitive and
like minded as you. This will also increase
your happiness by 5%!
Secondly, research from Stanford
University and the World Happiness Report
[2] shows that early social ties in young
adulthood have long-lasting e昀昀ects on
mental health and happiness.
Much of this occurs at the start of
one’s career - connecting with new
people and forming bonds that last a
lifetime. Additionally, interventions
that promote empathy and connection
among young adults lead to larger social
networks and improved well-being.
Networking at an OGCA event can
make such connections, as well as
strengthen existing social bonds that
then increase your individual feelings
of belonging. Or, for a more pronounced
approach, perhaps you could join
the OGCA’s Next Generation Leaders
Committee.
This committee is designed to connect,
engage, and prepare the future leaders
of our sector, while strengthening the
voice and vision of the OGCA for years to
come. There is no age limit - instead the
focus is on making a di昀昀erence. It’s about
becoming part of something larger and
eventually stepping up and giving back to
your industry. And this too will make you
5% happier!
THEGENERALS.NET
