Annual General Meetings

Thank you everyone for attending our Annual General Meeting that was held on November 22, 2022! We had a great turnout!
Below are some of the highlights from the meeting:

Past President Christina Matisons gave the welcome message, introduction and land acknowledgement. Riverbend is located on traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3). She also acknowledged that Olga Maciejewski was awarded with the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition for her role as an outstanding community volunteer.

President Olga Maciejewski introduced the Board members and new team members who have joined this year. Thanked the outgoing volunteers and team members. She recognized outstanding contributions of the outgoing Past President -Christina Matisons who will be greatly missed by the team. Olga also introduced our guests; MLA Tanya Fir, Ward 11 Representative - Holly Shaw, City of Calgary Liaison - Joylynn Matheson and Christa Zaharychuk. 

Olga highlighted the accomplishments from the 2021-2022 Annual Report. 

• the All Season Rink Makeover project

• the addition of new staff and board members

• our new partnerships and our increased memberships

• the increase of our social media engagement 

• our exciting new programs and events

Vice President Amit Khare presented the 2022 Strategic Plan. Our long term goals are to achieve financial stability and to continue to actively engage with the community through programing, events and community beautification.

Treasurer Stuart Russel-Gibson presented a summary of the 2021-2022 RCA Audited Financial Statements. We saw 39.80% increased share of revenue from memberships, programs, community events and grant funding. We also saw a 37.84% increase in our expenses which reflects the emergence from COVID-19 operating conditions.  We managed to build net assets over the $100k recommended by our previous auditors. 2022 marks a year of extensive increase in our capital assets with works to rebuild the skating rink and the addition of the artful bike rack. Our financial position is much more stable compared to previous years. We continue to be diligent about spending as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Casino funds are low due to the lack of casino events over the past two years. The next casino fundraising event will be held on January 7-8, 2023 at Deerfoot Inn and Casino. Stuart also thanked our Bookkeeper, Bukola Odesayna for her hard work and doing an excellent job. Membership approved the audited financial statements as presented. Members supported the motion to delegate Baker Tilly Catalyst as the auditor for 2022-23 fiscal year. Current vacancy of Treasurer was mentioned as Stuart is leaving the position - Thank you Stuart!

Volunteer Resources - Natalia Gonzalez thanked all of our amazing volunteers who have offered their time and hard work over the past year. Natalia Gonzalez recognized the community volunteers with an award for those who have gone above and beyond including: Calgary Heritage Lions Club, Father and Daughter super team Glenn and Kathryn Schuster, Community beautification team Graham Peers and Mark Murray. If you are interested in volunteering or know someone who would, please submit an expression of interest via our website on our volunteering page.

The following directors were elected for the 2-year term:

• President -Olga Maciejewski

• Vice President, Business Administration - Amit Khare

• Director, Facilities Projects -Ken Schultz

• Director, Volunteer Resources- Natalia Gonzalez

• Director, Traffic, Safety and Crime Prevention - Brenda Pereira

• Director, Memberships and Partnerships - Samantha Moulds

• Director, Programs and Events - Brandy Berlinski

• Director at Large - Melody Tang

• Director at Large -Stuart Russell -Gibson

The official part of the meeting concluded at 7:40 PM

Remainder of the meeting was spent on presentations by Pat and Brenda, Questions & Answers as well as networking with neighbours while enjoying snacks donated by Quarry Park Co-op, wine donated by Stuart Russell-Gibson and non-alcoholic drinks donated by Partake Brewery

COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION - NEXT STEPS

Pat Medhurst, the Director of Community Beautification highlighted the fantastic efforts of the community beautification volunteer team

including:

• 18th St Refresh Project

  • Over 90% of 18th St fences have now been painted! 

  • Huge thanks to donors who helped with paint purchase: Bart and Tarryn Lamb and Remington Development Corp.

  • Amazing volunteer team that helped those who needed assistance: Tracey Murray, Graham Peers, Mark Murray, Delby Auktor, Jerry Lovas, Steven Sokolosky, Jerry Lovas, Kelly Harder, Dan Houg

  • Special thanks to Tracey and Mark Murray who used their corporate volunteer/donation program (Vermilion Energy) to get a donation for RCA.

• Landscape work

  • Helped remove invasive weeds in Carburn Park 

  • Cleaned up shrub bed at Glenmore ramp entrance to Riverbend

  • Thanks to our Carburn/landscape volunteers: Jim Gibb, Bjo Gibb, Karen Tinevez and Bob Tinevez

  • City planted highly resistant “salt grass” in the center median south of the ball diamond in a pilot project. Haven’t seen success yet, but will re-evaluate in spring. 

Pat also talked about grants that can be utilized for future projects. She also highlighted the need for more volunteers and ideas for future beautification projects. 

TRAFFIC - NEXT STEPS

Brenda Perreira, the Director of Traffic, Safety and Crime Prevention highlighted the traffic and crime survey results that was conducted from April to June 2022. The 18 Street Adaptive Bike Lane Pilot Project was also highlighted with questions posed and answered by Ward 11 representative Holly Shaw. The main topic of discussion veered to the proposed Deerfoot Trail upgrades and how it is going to impact Riverbend and 18th street traffic. A call for volunteers for a Traffic Team was emphasized.

If you are interested in volunteering or know someone who would, please submit an expression of interest via our website on our volunteering page.

This concludes the 2022 Riverbend Annual General Meeting. Thank you to everyone who participated and brought forward questions, ideas and suggestions.