Thank you to all the members who attended our AGM on March 16. I would like to give a special “shout-out” to those volunteers who helped the AGM run smoothly, including Christyn Carter (Admin Assistant), Deborah Lawson (Anthology Editor), Saraswoti Lamichhane and Trevor Hughes (Returning Officers), and Markus Eymann (Secretary). I would also like to extend appreciation to Kevin Girard, who helped wrangle chairs, and Clint McElwaine, our “applause cue” guy.
Now … drumroll please … congratulations to the members elected to the 2025-2026 Board:
• Alice Major
• Ann Gerard Marshall
• Audrey Brooks
• David Fraser
• Dorothy Lowrie
• Kayleigh Cline (President)
• Markus Eymann
• Naomi McIlwraith
Our gratitude goes out to Leslie Dawson, who has stepped back this year after devoting so much over the years to supporting the Stroll. Thank you, Leslie.
Max Vandersteen also made the difficult decision to step back from the role of President this year. The support, mentorship, and tireless hours he has given to the Stroll truly cannot be measured. As poets, we never want to admit that “words cannot possibly describe…” but, in this case, it is true. Words cannot possibly describe all that Max has given to the Stroll and how much of his humble leadership has guided the Stroll to be what it is today. He will continue to help out at the Stroll, especially with the Haven and providing guidance to myself and the Board, so be sure to let him know when you see him how appreciated he is.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude for what the Stroll has meant for me over the years: a community that has empowered me to be poetically courageous. I see stepping into the President role as an opportunity for me to do my part in giving back some small measure of what the Stroll has given me. Thank you all.
Kayleigh Cline