We celebrated our 50th Anniversary AGM in style on June 18th at the Pidherney Centre. Everywhere you looked there were reminders of our 50th celebration, including gold and black 50th balloons throughout the venue, and 50th gold chocolate bars on the tables. As a special event, members and guests enjoyed a two course dinner before the business meeting started.  

Highlights of the evening included the  2015 Dalton Skinner award being presented to Mike Gerhardt by Mr. Marty Skinner (Dalton's son) and Mrs. Shirley Skinner (Dalton's wife). Dalton was a founder and long-time volunteer of United Way Central Alberta. 

We then unveiled our 50th Anniversary timeline video narrated by our very own Christine Curtis, which will soon be available to view on our website.  

The evening finished with our special guest speaker from United Way Centraide Canada, Associate Vice President Louise Powell-McCarthy. Her presentation about poverty in Canada and how we need to do more resonated with the audience. She added that United Ways are the best place to make the greatest impact in this area and that we need to make sure donors make that connection.  

The entire evening was beautifully photographed by Dave Brunner Photography and dinner was sponsored by Servus Credit Union. Sincere thanks are due to them and everyone who supported the event.

Louise Powell-McCarthy.

We officially welcome four new members to the Board of Directors. Although some have been serving on the Board for some time, they are not official until after the AGM.  

Murray Hagan who works for Alberta Health Services has been our Treasurer since November and will now continue in that role. Laura Maurer works for TransCanada and despite being new to the Board, attended the May 2015 National Conference as a Board delegate. She is also a member of the Finance and Audit Committee. Kurt Spady runs Avason Consulting and has been on the board for six months. He is also a member of Governance Committee.David Miller is the site leader at MEGlobal Joffre Site and recently joined the Board after Rocco Schurink was relocated and had to leave.

At the AGM thanks were also given to Cathy Peacocke for her 4 years of service to the Board, although Cathy will not be leaving us completely as she has agreed participate as a Priority Impact Team member during our annual community investment process.

2015 United Way Board Members: (left to right) Murray Hagan, David Miller, Belinda Davies, Darlene Wilson, Laura Maurer, Kerry Bales, Rick Van Hemmen. Centre spot: CEO Robert Mitchell. Absent: Angie Keibel and Kurt Spady.

United Way Days is a fun promotion that provides an alternative way for small businesses to participate in the annual fundraising campaign. Business owners decide on a promotion that works for their business, run the program for a set period, and donate all or part of the proceeds to the United Way. Of course, we're there to support you every step of the way!

United Way Days Participants Las Palmeras - Maria Harv, Albino Lemus & Mauricio Ortiz