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Makepeace begins third term as chair of Hay River Seniors' Society

Tom Makepeace has begun his third term as chair of the Hay River Seniors' Society.
Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Tom Makepeace has returned for his third one-year term as chair of the Hay River Seniors' Society.

"It's kind of fun," he said when asked about the leadership role.

The society held its annual general meeting on Aug. 29 and Makepeace was among nine people who volunteered to serve on its board, along with Sandra Lester, Mattie McNeill, Norma Shaw, Shirley Sloat, Bonnie Webb, Velma Rowe, Lynn Readman and Pat Burnstad.

Under the society's constitution, it can have up to 10 board members.

On Sept. 2, the new board met to select an executive – Makepeace as chair, Lester as vice-chair, Rowe as treasurer and Burnstad as secretary.

"When we do the nominations (for the board of directors), there's no designated positions," said Makepeace. "It's when the board meets together and people step up to the plate to take on different offices."

The executive has remained unchanged.

"Same as last year," said Makepeace.

It is fortunate for the society to have the same group returning, he added. "Everybody is comfortable with doing stuff. So we want to move ahead."

The board of directors is also the same as last year.

All the board members and those on the executive were acclaimed to the positions.

Makepeace was pleased with the number of members at the annual general meeting.

"We had a fairly good turnout," he said. "With Covid, we're only allowed 25 people in the room, and we had 19 people. So that was great."

One of the continuing goals of the Hay River Seniors' Society is to increase the number of members.

Currently, there are 110 members, who each paid a $5 membership fee.

However, Makepeace noted there are about 600 seniors in Hay River and that number is growing each year.

The society is open to people 55 years of age and over.

Makepeace noted the society usually has a membership drive during the Adult Health Fair presented in the fall by the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority.

"We set up a booth there and do our drive then, and get a lot of people," said the society's chair.