Jamie Cameron
Local Journalism Initiative

PORTAGE-DU-FORT – On November 9 at the Stone School Gallery in Portage-du-Fort a hybrid meeting of artPontiac was held to reach as many members as possible regarding issues that needed to be addressed and resolved. “We need more board members and more volunteers to deliver an ever-expanding program,” said President Cheryl Beillard. “We also need to address some budget issues,” she added.

The end of the pandemic brought an increase in membership, which had declined during Covid. With over 120 members to date, they currently only have three board members running the association and need more volunteers to help with the long list of overdue things to get done and keep updated. “Happily, lots have offered to help since the meeting and we have a candidate for a Treasurer, which we haven’t had since January,” said Cheryl. Members will vote at the AGM on November 1 and a decision will be made at the first meeting.

Also, in the last few years, the association has had to pull money from their emergency fund to keep up with costs. They asked the members to brainstorm options to save money, ways to create more funding, and possible grants they could apply for.

Photo: ArtPontiac held a special meeting on November 9 in Portage-du-Fort to discuss the need for more board members and to talk about finances.