NECAC held its Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers and Directors Dinner on Oct. 22.

NECAC President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Page gave an update on significant progress made during the year and offered praise to board members, staff and volunteers. He also looked forward.

“For this new fiscal year, we see financial health as a primary goal, indeed, it is a goal of our strategic plan,” Page said. “We want to strengthen our reputation amongst the community and amongst other Community Action Agencies.”

Mike Bridgins of St. Charles County was re-installed as board chairman, with Glenn Eagan of Shelby County as vice-chairman and Lowell Jackson of Ralls County as secretary. Trustees are Troy Dawkins of Shelby County, Curtissa Kerr-Hunter of Lincoln County and Mickey Shipp of Macon County.

The guest speaker was Community Action pioneer Charles McCann of St. Joseph, former director of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) with the Missouri Department of Social Services and a Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) with the National Community Action Partnership.

Page noted that McCann, who performed the installation ceremony, has a national reputation for excellence in the Community Action movement. After more than 50 years of service, McCann is still offering his assistance through such initiatives as the new “Building Champions of Community Action.”

“We all have things in our DNA, right?” Page asked. “I think he was born to be a teacher. He was born to be an instructor because he learns stuff and wants to share it with others.”

In his remarks, McCann mentioned that 2024 is the 60th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson signing the Economic Opportunity Act, which created Community Action. NECAC was founded a year later.

“I hope that you are proud of the commitments that you’ve made to NECAC, to Community Action and certainly to the people that we serve,” McCann said. “Be proud, feel proud. I thank you so much for giving your time and your talents to Community Action.”

Also sworn in were the following board members:

Lewis County: Craig Redmon, Jarrod Phillips and Simon Thrower.

Lincoln County: Matt Bass and Jere Burkemper.

Macon County: Clarence Walker and Jean Jones.

Marion County: David Lomax, Jim Miller and Roy Hark.

Monroe County: Mike Whelan and Harold Long.

Montgomery County: Dave Teeter, Mike Dorlac and Carole Weeks.

Pike County: Tommy Wallace, Lori Smith and Curt Mitchell.

Ralls County: John Lake and Janet Hoyt.

Randolph County: Sid Conklin, Lorna Miles and Mahala Dixson.

Shelby County: Melissa Killen.

St. Charles County: Alex Reichert and Diane Hileman.

Warren County: Fred Vahle, Mary Van Bibber and Angie Light.

 

CUTLINE FOR PHOTO:

The North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) held its annual meeting Oct. 22. Pictured, from left, are NECAC President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Page, Pike County Board Members Curt Mitchell, Lori Smith and Tommy Wallace, and Board Chairman Mike Bridgins.