Directors stepping down from Suffield SCRA

By Tim Kalinowski
The Suffield Community Recreation Association (SCRA) held its fall public meeting last Thursday night at the Suffield community hall. Highlights of the meeting included the resignation of two long time members of the executive, discussions about the need for greater community participation and plans for a membership drive for the SCRA on October 4.
After presenting his final surplus budget as secretary/ treasurer, Dave Dennis announced that he would be resigning both as secretary/ treasurer and as a member of the executive. Dennis will stay on and continue to keep the books until his successor can be appointed.
The SCRA is thinking of hiring a professional bookkeeper to take over the secretary/ treasurer duties.
SCRA president Sam Lehtonen also stepped down from her formal duties due to health reasons. She is only one year into her three year term as president. Vice president Daina Rance will take over as acting president until the next election. Lehtonen will remain on the SCRA executive as long as her health allows her to.
In resigning Lehtonen spoke of her years of service and 22 years of life in the community. And also some of her hopes for the future.
“I enjoyed working with everyone over the years and will still help out when I am able,” said Lehtonen. “To the people of Suffield: Please give a little of your time to help your community. Every little bit helps, and it gives you a good feeling. And it is very much appreciated… Twenty-two years later we still have a beautiful hamlet, great people and a community hall. I hope someone will fill my position so the hall can be open for us to use and keep the community spirit growing.”
Acting president Daina Rance spoke for the entire executive in expressing her appreciation for Lehtonen’s dedication to Suffield.
“I would like to thank Sam very much for all the work she has put in,” said Rance. “I know it’s not easy being in a leadership role. Everybody kind of has negative things to say most of the time instead of positive. And I hope as a community we work together in a positive environment to move this community forward.”
Much of the rest of the meeting was taken up with discussion of getting more boots on the ground to increase SCRA membership within the Suffield community.
Memberships have been lagging in recent years despite regular reminders to local citizens. The membership fees pay for things like Christmas presents for the kids  and a free meal during the Suffield community Christmas celebrations, as well as other extra activities hosted within the hall.
After a lengthy discussion it was decided that SCRA directors and other volunteers would go out and canvas door to door for memberships on Sunday, October 4 starting at 1 p.m. The cost of SCRA membership is $37.50.
A few other notes of interest:
Dave Hubley was elected to the SCRA’s executive council to replace the outgoing Dave Dennis. This marks Hubley’s return as a director after a few years away from council.
It was also decided that October 25 would be the date for Suffield’s annual Halloween party for kids and community members.