Annual meeting elects five new board members 
By Janielle Penner

The SPA held its Annual General Meeting for its members at St. Paul’s Church on March 9. The meeting was successful and we’d like to thank all of those who were able to attend. During that meeting, reports were presented on last year’s activities, clinic operations, animal adoptions and the success of the relatively new Sponsorship Training Program.

Many people renewed their memberships prior to the meeting and we’d like to thank all who continue to offer their support and donations to our cause. We have also recruited a new volunteer, Sue Lawrence, who will manage our membership program. We hope to see more San Miguel residents and visitors join us. 

Five new board members were voted in during the meeting: Kristy Baker, Jim Castro, Graham Culliford, Linda Thompson and Carl Wachtel. They have selflessly offered their time and abilities to help the SPA further its mission. With varied backgrounds in business, the arts and working with animal welfare groups, these five board members are poised to bring new energy and enthusiasm to the board.

We at the SPA would like to give a special acknowledgement to our former director, Natalie Hardy. If you have ever been to an SPA event, fundraiser, meeting, or the blessing of the animals, odds are you have met Natalie, a tall, red-haired woman with a truly warm demeanor and always a smile. As Kathi Hamblet mentioned at the Annual Meeting, Natalie has always been both behind the scenes and center stage throughout her tenure as director in this struggle to help all animals who are abandoned, sick or injured. Natalie has been an outstanding steward for the SPA for over five years and we will miss having her at the helm. Her contribution has been a great gift and there aren’t enough words to express the gratitude—thank you!

I would also like to acknowledge our other former board members who have been so dedicated to serving the SPA mission: Kit Carson, Kathi Hamblet, Becky Milward and Stew Hammer. 

Those of you familiar with our now former board members may be wondering what involvement they will have now that their terms have come to an end. They have expressed a desire to continue their work with the SPA as volunteers. Hamblet, for example, will continue to volunteer at the SPA as the coordinator of the Sponsorship Training Program and as our dog advocate. With so much wonderful talent and experience, we have established a Board Emeritus in order to recognize the service and expertise they have to offer. This group will serve in an advisory capacity to our current board. We are happy that we are not losing any of these dedicated people at the SPA, but rather are expanding our SPA family. 

What we are looking forward to in the coming year is an expansion of our outreach, both through collaborations with San Miguel residents and through this Board of Directors which will bring new ideas and energy into the fold. We will be sure to keep our members and interested supporters informed about news at the SPA. We look forward to serving this worthwhile cause and addressing the issues of animal treatment, overpopulation, abandonment and health.