Yellowknife (Apr 25/03) - The Yellowknife Seniors' Society has a new board and a new way of doing things.

Thursday afternoon the society hosted its first board induction ceremony. More than 60 guests gathered at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church to share delicious lasagna and enjoy the simple ceremony.

Usually a new board is just sworn in, but after last year's 10th anniversary celebration the society chose to continue the tradition with an induction ceremony, said first vice-president Gladys Eggenberger.

Yellowknife Mayor Gord Van Tighem was the guest speaker. He told the group he was looking forward to working closely with them in the year to come.

"It's really important that we access the wisdom you've accumulated over the years and apply it," said Van Tighem.

"To this new board you are the leaders of the wealth in our community."

President Lauren F.W. McKiel said over the next year he hopes to increase the membership to 200 from the present 165. He also wants to offer more programs and reach out to isolated seniors. Besides McKiel and first vice-president Eggenberger, the new Yellowknife Seniors' Society board includes, second vice-president Kathryn Youngblut, treasurer Steve Mullins, secretary Robert Carr and past president Wayne Sampson. The directors are Felicito Domingo, Dennis Lowing, June Van Dine Arden, Christopher Williams and Arlene Yaceyko.

The Yellowknife Seniors' Society manages the Baker Community Centre and offers social and recreational programs to Yellowknife seniors. The non-profit organization was started in 1992.