After more than four years at the helm, Leslie MacEachern the executive director of the St. Albert Senior Citizens’ Club, resigned her post this week.
MacEachern was coy on the specifics of her future plans, but said she has decided to move on and explore other opportunities.
“I believe I have done an awful lot for the club. I have raised the profile in the community and got the new building stuff rolling and I am just looking at some opportunities to heighten my strengths.”
She added it was time for a change.
“I have been there for four years and it is time for someone else to come and take it to the next level.”
Club president Jim Laing said MacEachern’s move surprised him, but he hopes she does well with whatever she chooses to pursue.
“She decided to move on and we accepted her resignation,” he said. “She is moving on and we certainly wish her well with where she is going.”
The club has had a challenging year with an ongoing court case brought by a group of members, dubbed Seniors for Seniors, who are challenging changes made to the club’s bylaws this year.
The lawsuit, which is still outstanding, had nothing to do with MacEachern’s resignation said Laing.
MacEachern said she is pleased with the work she has done for the club.
While she has been executive director, the club has taken on new programs, including Meals on Wheels and an outreach program, while also starting the process for a new building.
The club has also struggled financially, posting several deficits that have all but eliminated the club’s savings.
Laing said those financial issues have really started to turn around this year with the club’s balance sheets looking a lot better as 2011 begins.
“I think we are in better shape financially. We have come through the year in much better shape than we were when we started 2010.”
MacEachern said looking forward, the club’s biggest challenge will be turning the proposed new building into a reality.
“I think it is one of the big challenges and I think it is important to keep that at the forefront.”
A report on that proposed building presented to city council in September envisioned a centre that would bring the seniors together with other community groups.
The report recommended city ownership with the tenants leasing back the space. It also estimated the building could cost $16 million based on the space needs for the various organizations.
MacEachern said the seniors’ club will likely grow over the next few years as the city’s population continues to age and it will be important for the club to stay relevant and engaged.
“There are an awful lot of good organizations that compete for the same funding and the same recognition and it is important to note that the ages are shifting from the youth to the older populations.”
Laing said the board has not yet devised a plan for replacing MacEachern.
“We haven’t decided anything yet and all options are open.”
He said personally he would like to take some time and make sure the board makes the right decision, including other options for the position.
“We want to kick the tires and look around at what other groups or clubs do,” he said. “It would seem to make sense to look at different things. My idea wouldn’t be to rush into it and post an ad right away.”
