Day One Society Annual General Meeting 2025

The Day One Society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Tuesday, September 23, and brought together board members, staff, and community supporters for an evening of reflection and celebration.

This year, we were pleased to welcome two new board members, Vicki Manuel and Jeremy Gauthier, while also saying farewell to Danalee Baker, Ben Van Der Gracht, Shbaach Joe, and DeDe De Rose, who have each made significant contributions during their terms. We remain deeply grateful for the continued dedication of our board president, Marilyn McLean; Vice President, Stan Fike; Treasurer, Bryan Pilbeam; Secretary, Carol Tennessy; and Board Director, Arjun Singh.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of our Staff Service Awards and the presentation of the Out of the Ashes (OOTA) Bursary Awards. This year, Amanda Neystrong received a Staff Service Award, recognizing her more than five years of dedication as a Youth Drug and Alcohol Counsellor in the Raven Program.

The AGM also celebrated eight remarkable Out of the Ashes Bursary recipients: Alex Adams, Candis Garant, Elijah Hunt, Felicity Sinclair, Haley Baker, Jasmine Trainer, Jordon Massicotte, and Rudolph Braun. With six recipients attending in person, along with their friends and family, the ceremony was filled with pride, encouragement, and a sense of community.

The Out of the Ashes Bursary supports individuals who have a minimum of one year in recovery and are pursuing education. Each recipient embodies courage, resilience, and the determination to transform their future.

The 2025 AGM was a meaningful evening of gratitude and recognition, underscoring that Day One Society’s work is built on the commitment of many of our board, staff, community partners, and, most of all, the individuals whose recovery journeys inspire us all.