The Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society’s board recently grew substantially following the introduction of four new directors.
Marita Stermann, the society’s executive director, said she has not seen such a big board in her nearly 20 years with the charitable non-profit organization that serves the community.
“This is a new situation,” she said, adding that having so many individuals willing to lend a hand “is a good problem to have!”
The society’s bylaws allow for as many as 12 people to sit on the board, although in recent years there were usually seven, she said, adding those existing board members are committed to remaining involved.
The four new members stepped up to the plate during the June 13 annual general meeting, which was also well attended by about 30 people, including society staff, returning board members as well as the public and even municipal officials, she said.
“That was the biggest turnout that I can remember in probably several years.”
The new board members were nominated and approved to join the board during the annual general meeting, although the executive positions were elected a few days later. They are as follows: Dolores Dercach, chair; Pat Toone, treasurer; Ingrid Mayr, secretary; and Darlene Temple, vice-chair. The remaining directors are Joan Harris, Cindy Andrus, Angela Aalbers, Todd Dalke, Leah Evanochko, Wendy Goodall and Todd MacDonald.
“We were lucky to get four new board members for the upcoming year,” said Stermann.
She said having a bigger board will help facilitate setting up more committees to tackle a larger workload by being better able to divvy up duties such as fundraising, board administration, setting priorities and direction, creating a communication strategy, as well as reviewing policies and procedures.
More hands make lighter work, and while a few committees were already working diligently between regular board meetings, having so many new members should make possible accomplishing additional tasks on the society’s to-do list, she said.
“It’s a really fantastic situation where you can have so many knowledgeable people in the community representing different areas and age groups coming” to the table together to enthusiastically work towards making Greenwood Neighbourhood Place — and by extension Sundre — a place people want to stay and be involved with for many years to come, she said.
Although new plans or direction for the year have not yet been determined, the board will during upcoming meetings discuss possible options moving forward, she said.
“At any time, the public is welcome to come in and find out what we can do for the community.”
The society strives to ensure Sundre is as all-inclusive as possible, and anyone who is so inclined is encouraged to learn more about the community programs offered. Additionally, the organization is also receptive to feedback, concerns as well as suggestions on issues that people would perhaps like to see addressed, she said.
That all ties in with the society’s vision statement that is new as of April and is as follows: “Sundre and Area is a connected, thriving, engaged and inclusive community.”
Visit www.mygnp.org or call 403-638-1011 for more information about the organization and the programs made available to residents.
