Notes from the President
Walter Wilson,VMCC President
On May 5th we held the annual membership meeting. It was a lively meeting with everyone joining in with bits of information and ideas on the operation of the Center. Most everyone seems pleased with the direction the Center has taken over the years and how the Center has progressed since it incorporated from the McKenzie River Club to the Vida McKenzie Community Center in the year 2000.
While the first years were a little shaky and almost overwhelming to the leaders, we pushed forward and I can say that I have been very happy to be part of the organization and leadership. Even with the insecure beginning, we have had a very successful 12 years. I’ve had a long and enjoyable run as your President. I appreciate your confidence in, once again, electing me as your Community Center President. I thank the membership for the support in providing me with members that have some of the same goals I have for the Center. The reelection of the current slate of Officers and Board Members insures the direction of your Center will continue to move forward.
At the membership meeting I mentioned a few of some of the major accomplishments we have been able to complete over the years. I was asked to list in our newsletter some of them. As I look back and review the list it is impressive what we have been able to do in a short period of time. I believe the enhancements we have been able to accomplish at the Center has encouraged the community to accept and want to be involved, which has allowed us to achieve some secure success. Financially set, we are not. We are able to pay our ever increasing bills. We are able to make a few improvements to the Center and we are able to donate some of our fundraising money to scholarships and organizations in need of support. The annual Christmas Bazaar and Bingo are our only fundraisers. These two events provide the majority of our funds in which we operate the Center.
Our Center continues to be a focal point in the valley. The rental (126 last year) continues to increase each year. We have several organizations that use the Center on a monthly basis: Neighborhood Watch, Sew and So’s craft group, Bunco, Late Bloomers Garden Club, AARP Driver Safety Program, McKenzie River Lions, Bob Welch holds an annual writers workshop and the Yoga group meets every Tuesday.
Many exterior changes have occurred over the years thanks to the support of the community and membership. With the help from the “Hass” family (Gardner, Tobin, Short) members, the dirt patio out back and walkways around the building were turned into concrete, the low hanging (almost hit your head) entrance was turned into a very nice dormer entrance. Todd and April Olson Painting and Construction Co. gave the outside and inside a much needed fresh coat of paint. Of course, many members of the Center had a helping hand in completing all the projects through-out the years. The list of names is long and almost covers the whole membership list.
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