SUNDRE — The executive director of a local, non-profit community service organization run by a board of volunteer trustees anticipates “a year of change.”
Sari Werezak, the Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society’s executive director, wrote by email on Aug. 18 in response to questions following up on the group’s annual general meeting held late July that, “With the usual uncertainties of the non-profit world and a pretty big shuffle in board members and elected officials, I have a feeling this is a year of change.”
However, as the saying goes, challenges often presented by change can depending on a person’s perspective and attitude also be opportunities.
“That may sound scary, but it can also be exciting,” Werezak said.
She was particularly enthused and encouraged by the level of interest generated by this year’s annual general meeting.
More than 20 people attended, including seven new faces, she said.
“It was remarkable to see a number of guests not only interested in hearing more about Greenwood Neighbourhood Place, but also several came interested in joining the board,” she said. “Having more interest than spots available is certainly a good problem to have!”
The board's new executive is as follows: Ian McMurray, chairperson; Meghan Capko, vice-chair; Pat Toone, treasurer; Kathy Taylor, secretary; Angela Aalbers Mountain View County representative; Todd Dalke, Town of Sundre representative; as well as directors-at-large Dolores Dercach, past chair; Charlene Ruttle; Wendy Goodall; Joan Harris; Leah Evanochko; Monica St.Dennis; Laura Kutz; and Dani Goddard.
Among the highlights from the annual general meeting was a recap in Werezak’s report to the board about the past year’s success stories, including the completed and thorough community social needs assessment that concluded with a final report that is now available to other groups, the launch of the Sundre Youth Centre – The Den, as well as the introduction of a community resource tool dubbed Sundre Assistance Information Directory.
Additionally, she said “many wonderful programs ran amidst the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions in 2021.”
Board members have also been hard at work promoting the ongoing Sundre Strong fundraising campaign as organizational funding remains a constant concern, she said.
“The committee has put a lot of work into Sundre Strong,” she said. “They are very dedicated to making GNP more sustainable and hopefully the campaign can help.”
The current priority, she elaborated, is to present a case for support in the hopes of attracting monthly donors to the local Sundre charitable organization.
“Many area residents like what we do but may not even know that this is possible to help their community programs,” she said.
For those who are able to spare a few dollars a month – anywhere from $10 on up – setting up recurring donations is easy to do, she said.
Asked whether any new projects, initiatives or funding commitments were discussed at either the annual general meeting or the regular meeting in August, Werezak said it’s difficult for the board to make such decisions at this point in the society’s fiscal year.
“We don’t know what our funding will be,” she said. “With GNP’s year-end being April, we will have a better idea for next year’s plans closer to that time.”
So for the time being, she said the society will maintain a steady course ahead.
“We will continue to carry out our lineup of current program offerings as best we can,” she said, adding that when it comes to addressing some of the community’s needs, the society wants “to evaluate and make sure they are done well.”
While there is usually no shortage of issues, resources are of course always limited, she said.
“We see crisis situations come to us, and this is on the rise,” she said .
“It’s not our role, but I sure wish there was a way to fix big problems like: affordable housing, transportation, or substance use, which can lead to so many other problems.”
With the end of August paving the way to the start of the next school year, the society has already begun preparing in anticipation of Sundre Santas.
“The plans are already in place to continue the annual hamper program and preparations start as early as September. We know food security year-round is an issue, especially with inflation.”
