NEWMARKET — In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Newmarket Mayor John Taylor initiated a program to appoint positivity ambassadors in the southern Ontario town. Jamie Boyle, a customer service supervisor with a long tenure, was designated as the chief positivity officer, a role he embraced passionately and continued to uphold even after the pandemic's peak.
Mayor Taylor praised Boyle’s infectious enthusiasm, highlighting his "go out there and take on the world" attitude. During the intense lockdowns of 2020, Taylor tasked the positivity ambassadors with utilizing social media to share uplifting stories demonstrating the community's resilience and positive spirit amidst the negative developments surrounding COVID-19.
Boyle diligently coordinated with human resources and various town departments to enhance morale among the municipality's approximately 400 full-time employees. "My nature is to be positive and to be uplifting and motivational," Boyle shared, noting that the initiative was a perfect convergence of circumstances and timing.
During the height of remote working, employees were engaged in numerous supportive activities, including check-in calls to seniors, filling in for essential workers, and delivering food to individuals in need. Boyle initiated weekly staff newsletters that included inspirational quotes, interesting facts, and heartwarming pictures and videos, harnessing this added responsibility to promote encouragement and keep staff members informed.
The town's campaign was aptly named "Stand Apart Together," which aimed at fostering a community spirit through positive communication and wellness programs during difficult times, according to Boyle. Over the years, his role expanded as he nurtured connections with public services and community groups while participating regularly in town events. He also acted as a liaison for local partners promoting positivity.
One notable initiative included collaborating with a local hospital and a private company to create a large mosaic sign to express gratitude towards health-care workers and town employees on behalf of the community. Other uncomplicated gestures, like a high-five or a kind word, contributed to amplifying community cheer, especially when Boyle took to the megaphone during town parades.
“Jamie Boyle really, in fact, was already our chief positivity officer. He just hadn’t been named that yet,” remarked Mayor Taylor. By formally recognizing Boyle's role, Taylor believed it elevated Boyle's inherent positivity to new heights.
At 53 years old and in his 27th year working for the town, Boyle remains committed to praising his colleagues and fulfilling his role within the community. He emphasizes his belief in the unseen silver lining of situations: "The skies can be grey five days of the week, but we know that there’s sun behind them," he expressed. His mission is to ensure that individuals recognize their own value even during tough times.
“Internally there isn’t a week that goes by that someone doesn’t reach out and say, ‘You know what, I needed that today. I’m just not having a good week,’” Boyle added, underscoring the importance of his efforts.
Mayor Taylor noted that the positivity initiative quickly gained traction not only within the town of approximately 100,000 residents but also garnered attention from other communities. “I received calls from outside the country and certainly across Canada asking about our method and its efficacy,” Taylor stated, emphasizing the powerful influence Boyle's leadership has had beyond Newmarket's borders.
As the town continues to navigate its path forward, both Boyle and Taylor acknowledge the progress made and recognize that the efforts to maintain a positive community spirit are far from over. "We’ve come a long way, but I don’t think there is an end in sight," Boyle remarked, indicating that promoting positivity has become an integral part of their ongoing community relations.
