Since the beginning of Ardrossan Recreation and Agricultural Society (ARAS) in 1945 when the local community hall was built, many volunteers have helped make the Association successful. ARAS continues to do this with the volunteer contributions of the executive and the many Directors who represent various groups in the community.

These member organizations help promote and support the advancement of sporting activities, arts and culture, theatre, music, dance groups, 4-H and many other community organizations and events. The Scene features profiles on ARAS member groups.

Local groups benefit in many ways by being a part of ARAS. Currently, representatives from each member group are appointed to sit as directors on the ARAS board and they are actively involved in the operations of the organization. Members of each group pay a membership fee to ARAS, which entitles them to speak and vote at the annual and general meetings, as well as hold office.

One major benefit of ARAS membership is that member groups are entitled to use the Ardrossan Memorial hall at reduced rates to hold their operational meetings, educational sessions, rehearsals, events and recruitment days, enabling each group to grow and develop. Other benefits of membership include promotion of member group activities and linking to resources through ARAS materials, events and meetings. Members also contribute their insights and feedback to community development initiatives and enhancements to the Ardrossan community. In some situations, ARAS takes the role of the umbrella association for member groups, assisting them with applying for funding through other avenues of provincial department funding programs. Groups can also apply to receive support funding through ARAS if they meet the grant funding criteria.

On the flip side of the coin, member benefits require member contributions. Membership dues help cover some of the hall maintenance and operational costs. To offset costs and maximize success, groups help host the annual ARAS fundraising Lobster Dinner and Dance, held at the Ardrossan Recreation Complex. This fundraising event would not exist if not for our groups donating numerous hours of volunteer time to make this event successful. This major fundraising event helped build the Community Theatre and Lobby in Ardrossan and continues to help offset ARAS’s operational costs, raises funds for the future expansion of the community hall, facilitates the Annual Picnic and Parade and allows ARAS to continue to support member groups and the community.

ARAS executive, member groups and area residents who become ARAS members help this organization survive. ARAS’s goal is unchanged to this day, which is to help support growth and development of its member groups and the Ardrossan community.

We encourage you to become a member, support ARAS and the local groups. The board meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Hall.

For information on ARAS and its groups or becoming a member, please contact:

Lori Cor - Membership
780.922.6222
loricor@xplornet.ca

Jan Neumann - President
780.910.3257
JANMN@aol.com