Officers and directors installed at NECAC annual meeting

HANNIBAL, Mo. — NECAC held its annual meeting and installation of officers and directors dinner on Oct. 22. At the meeting, NECAC president and CEO Dan Page gave an update on progress made during the year and offered praise to board members, staff and volunteers. He also provided a look forward.

In a press release, Page said, “For this new fiscal year, we see financial health as a primary goal. Indeed, it is a goal of our strategic plan. We want to strengthen our reputation amongst the community and among 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 with the Missouri Department of Social Services and a certified community action professional 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.”

McCann mentioned in his remarks 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.”

The following board members were sworn in at the annual meeting:

• Lewis County: Craig Redmon, Jarrod Phillips and Simon Thrower
• Marion County: David Lomax, Jim Miller and Roy Hark
• Monroe County: Mike Whelan and Harold Long
• Pike County: Tommy Wallace, Lori Smith and Curt Mitchell
• Ralls County: John Lake and Janet Hoyt
• Shelby County: Melissa Killen