LITTLE CURRENT—In a ‘do or die’ scenario, a large contingent of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #177 Little Current members came out to show their support for a Legion branch that has completely turned itself around financially during the last few years, electing a new president and executive.
As was reported previously, the annual general meeting and elections held last month failed to find a president to lead Branch #177 and at the behest of Dominion Command, another meeting for the purpose of elections was held on May 31. If a president could not be found, the Legion was at risk of losing its charter and would be forced to close its doors.
The elections, or acclamations, ran smoothly with Zone Commander Flora Wilson-Chartrand leading the proceedings. None of the nominations were contested so no elections were required.
When Legionnaire of the Year Ruth Eadie was nominated for the position of president, Comrade Eadie allowed her name to stand and was acclaimed president to much applause from the full hall.
Comrade Eadie is a well-known figure at the Legion, always giving a helping hand and helping to organize events, despite her busy full-time job at the hospital.
Branch #177’s bylaws state that a minimum of seven executive members are needed, but 10 allowed their names to stand. When Comrade Eadie was asked if she would like to keep all of the 10 nominated executive members on, she said she did.
The following is the new executive of Branch #177 Little Current: Ruth Eadie, president; Sue Morin, first vice president; Paul Abbott, third vice president; and executive members Doug Clarke, John Chapman, Leslie Burnett, Charlene Clarke, Luc Noel, Ron Bowerman, Georgina Lovelace, Linda Bowerman, Norris Valiquette and Tom Stephens.
Following the naming of the Legion executive, Comrade Roy Eaton noted this newspaper’s presence at the meeting, saying he was happy that the press was in attendance, noting an article from three years earlier when the Legion was facing a possible shutdown, but this time from a lack of funds.
Now, three years later, Branch #177 was one of only a handful of Legions that received a special award for over 100 percent membership return and the turnout that night was reflective of this, he added.
Comrade Eaton congratulated everyone for coming out and outgoing president Debbie Menard on her retirement.
Comrade Linda Bowerman also spoke, asking everyone to “pass the word on Catch the Ace, which has helped the branch tremendously.” She explained that 40 percent of Catch the Ace ticket sales go to the Branch #177 and this has allowed the Legion to get a new roof, furnace, ice machine, deep dryers and so much more.
“It’s nice to know that after tonight, we’ll be able to carry on,” she added.
