New faces for Legion Branch 374 - including a female president

For the third time in the history of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 374, a woman has been elected President.

The Richards Landing Legion Branch President, Anne Allaire, was installed last week at its regular monthly meeting. 

Allaire wanted to join the legion from a young adult but never knew how.

"At the Maple Syrup Festival, five years ago, I walked up ton one of the ticket selling tables and asked how to join," she said. "That was a Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxilary (LA) member and she nominated me to the LA. I joined, helped and became involved and was appointed to the executive."

More than one year later, Allaire was asked, why not join the Branch of which she replied that she was not a veteran.

After it was explained to her, Allaire joined the Branch as an Associate Member.

She was appointed and took on the role of secretary in June 2015.

"The secretary is an amazing role where one learns a lot, sees everything and has a hand in almost every activity," she said. "I learned real fast what and who the Royal Canadian Legion and our Branch is. I was appointed to various other roles."

 An organizer and administrator by nature, Allaire said she has used these skills in her career and past volunteer activities.

"My first duty is to help organize our team," she said. "During this process, they will learn and I will learn."

New faces will be joining Allaire on the executive level.

The new executive was elected on May 5 and installed at last week's meeting. They include Anne Allaire, President, Michelle Pearse, First Vice President, Ray Kennedy, Second Vice President, Bruce Harten, Third Vice President, Gonny Frech, Treasurer, Lynda Reynolds, Secretary and Dave Pearse, Sergeant at Arms.

Also, Comrade Steve Frech was installed as Branch Chair.

To her knowledge, Allaire said there has not been a chair in the past, but if so it's been years.

"I chose to have a chairman because I wanted the opportunity to see the meeting," she said. "Chairing is different than being able to stand back and pay attention to the whole room instead of running the meeting."

Allaire said she hopes by appointing Frech, a person to help manage the general memberhsip meeting with knowledge and experience regarding Legion regulations and Bylaws that a better flow and more on task talk for meetings will take place.  

The media was invited to attend the installation of members, and to Allaire's knowledge a first.

"I believe it is because it was assumed we would share our event on our own," she said. "Also, it might simply be because it was not thought of."

During last week's meeting, Allaire presented her goals, commitments and expectations.

Allaire's goals include creating a greater visibility in the community and excelling with services that can be offered to seniors and youth. Her expectations include transparency from the President, executives and chairs and to be effective and an approachable working team.

With goals and expectations also come challenges.

Some of the challenges facing Branch 374 include finding veterans in its catchment area; helping the general public understand who the Royal Canadian Legion serves; increasing its membership by helping the public understand you do not need to be a veteran to join; assisting the membership by getting involved; and, for the current executive find a way to allow change yet retain its knowledge and successes.   

Quick facts

• Presently there are about 225 members in the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 374. In the past three years, 26 members have joined, 13 have joined this year alone.
• Members range from 19 to 90 plus years in age.
• Catchment area covers Desbarats to Echo Bay and all of St. Joseph Island.
• There are nine Standing committees appointed and approved by the executive. Committee chairs have voting privileges and become part of the executive committee.
• There are 20 Optional committees which are appointed and approved by the general membership.