VALID Annual General Meeting

VALID Annual General Meeting

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Vegreville Association for Living in Dignity (VALID) Annual General Meeting on September 25 at the Legion Hall in Vegreville was a time for celebration, recognition, and a time to obtain information about this organization. VALID is a regional and provincial leader in offering innovative and creative supports for individuals with developmental disabilities in our community. Their mission statement is to create opportunities for people with disabilities to be actively involved in communities of choice.

Board Chair, Bert Vinet said in her report that 60 years of supporting individuals with disabilities is a huge accomplishment and during her 10 years of being on the board she has seen the VALID Association grow tremendously, as their leadership continues to flourish across the region.

In the past year, they have achieved their accreditation with CET. They celebrated the grand re-opening of Pot O Gold. The greenhouse project in partnership with the Interact Club will bring them future employment opportunities for individuals. Renovations to the board room have been completed.

After this, Wendy Hopper announced the Slate of VALID Board of Directors for the 2019-2020 term where Val Miller’s term was elected for another year and Joanne Dubuc and Lori-Anne Cohoe were elected to the board for two more years.

Awards of recognition were handed out next where Vegreville Preschool was the recipient for the Outstanding Community Employment Award. Vegreville Bowling Lanes received the VALID Board of Directors Community Inclusion Award, Connie Barratt and Rachelle Larcombe were the recipients for the Staff Recognition of Excellence Award. After this was the presentation for the Marg Imesch Memorial Award of Employee Excellence to Zach Huchulak and Amanda Deacon who was not present at the event. From there, the 4-Plex Residence Team received the Team Building Award which consists of Allison, Mercedes, Lillian, Meggie, Brad, Kaylah, Andrea, Melinda.