Agricultural society names new board

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Cara Burne is the new board president of the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society (SDAS). Burne took on the role following the annual general meeting (AGM) last week that saw one new face join the board.
The Dec. 12 meeting resulted in some shuffling of the board, with seasoned board members returning to take up previous positions and others taking on greater roles.
Former president Dennis McNeill stepped down from his role after two years to make room for Burne who had served as vice-president. Steve Farran was named new vice-president.
McNeill was re-elected to the board alongside incumbents Brenda Knight, Steve Farran and Lorne Lausen – who also serves as liaison to the new rodeo committee.
“We’ve had some changes in the last couple years, so there’s been lots of meetings and lots of ideas at the table,” said McNeill. “We’ve had some issues with expenses and the economy, so it’s been a couple trying years. I think (Burne) has great commitment and takes a real interest. It’s been a busy year for us with the changes to the committee, and so I think it’s been a challenging year, and she’s definitely stepped up to the plate.”
During the AGM, Sheila Crispin returned as secretary treasurer, while rounding out the board of directors are Lois Wegener, Carolyn Johnson, Don Geiger, Shelley Ingram and Brad Walls. A new face on the board is Stephane Leblanc, a Quebec native who owns a local farm.
The board of directors is made up of 12 members for the 2017-2018 year, as described in the province’s Agricultural Societies Act. This year more than 100 members attended the meeting.
“We are extremely pleased with the turnout of members to the AGM,” said Burne.
“It is in part a reflection of the importance of the society in the community, and of our collaboration with many, many partners – and of the members taking an interest in the affairs of the society.
“I was vice-president for the last two years and helped to ensure the continuity of the organization, that’s sort of how it works. The vice-president steps up, they usually work closely with the president so they should have a grasp on what’s going on.”
This past year, the organization had the highest gross revenues in the last decade at a whopping $1.942 million – missing the mark by approximately $30,000 to the 2012 year that experienced gross revenues of $1.975 million.
“We are extremely gratified by the response of the community to our events on-park,” said Herb McLane, SDAS general manager, in a press release. “Partnerships too are very, very important. Groups such as the Strathmore and Cheadle Lions Clubs, Blackfoot Warrior Horsemanship Film Society, high school rodeo, Wheatland Quilters, Air Cadets, Courts, Christmas Hamper Society – the largest in Canada – minor baseball, and many more are important in adding value to the organizations involved and to the community more generally. We strive to ensure that the experiences enjoyed by folks while here are exceptional. We celebrate these values with everyone involved.”
The society is expecting a similar eventful year in 2018, in bringing back fan-favourite events such as the Strathmore Stampede and Heritage Days, and tackling other projects including the completion of the link between the Remuda Centre and the livestock pavilion in 2018.