Annual general meeting of the Ottawa Valley Branch
Thank you for your continuing support and interest in the Ottawa Valley Branch and the National Association of Federal Retirees. Your active participation in the branch is vital to shaping our future and helping us move forward.
On May 5, 2025, the branch held a successful annual general meeting (AGM) with guest speakers, reports on the priorities, finances and activities of the branch, and amendments to the branch bylaws. The board would like to formally thank the members who were able to attend the AGM and help the branch to conduct its business. The draft minutes and presentations as tabled at the AGM are posted on the branch website at federalretirees.ca/ottawavalley.
Importantly, a key element of the AGM was a call for volunteers to serve as directors to replace the interim board members and form the leadership team for the branch. Members supported that the directors on the interim board would continue to serve and facilitate the transition to the new leadership team. We are delighted that Christine Walker, Joanne Schafer and Kathy Hoyland volunteered to join the board of the Ottawa Valley Branch.
Since the AGM, the board has met on two occasions to discuss the transition strategy and roles and responsibilities. In accordance with branch bylaws and with the unanimous consent of the board, effective June 15, 2025, the new board members' roles will be Christine Walker as president, Kathy Hoyland as secretary and Joanne Schafer as treasurer of the Ottawa Valley Branch of the National Association of Federal Retirees. The interim board of Ian Bennett, Paul Langham, Mike Hawkes and Pat Davies will actively support the new board members as directors-at-large in the coming months until the transition is completed. We are certain that the branch will continue to be revitalized with the fresh insights, skills and commitment of Kathy, Christine and Joanne.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization, and we would welcome any member that would wish to serve as a director, join a great team and help our branch move forward. Anyone considering volunteering, wishing additional information or having suggestions for the board may contact Christine Walker by email at ottawavalley@federalretirees.ca.
Look for an email from the new president in the coming weeks for further information.
On behalf of the board, I would like to sincerely thank our members, the Association's national office and Christine, Joanne and Kathy for their invaluable support for our branch.
Sincerely,
Ian Bennett
Interim resident, Ottawa Valley Branch