The Weyburn Communthon Committee held its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday night at Southeast College, with a new horizon now in sight for the formation of a not-for-profit organization establishing Communithon as its own separate entity, apart from the United Way.
From 1981 to 2019, the Weyburn Communithon was under the auspices of United Way Weyburn, until the local organization dissolved. Then, United Way Regina (UWR) took the local telethon under its wing to help facilitate the fundraiser, which has benefitted between eight and 13 member agencies each year. Board members were largely made up of representatives from each of the member agencies, all NFPs in the Weyburn area.
Now, the event is set to become ultra-local, with this year being a transition period to see the formation of the new organization. With this change, a new board of directors had to be formed so as not to include member agency representatives on its executive.
Lindsay Manko-Bauche, Long-time United Way member and prior Volunteer Committee Chair, opened up the meeting, noting that a few committed mainstays were unable to attend but had expressed their commitments to the board. She gave a shout-out to former executives for being the backbone of Communithon, declaring she was almost in tears given how moved she was by their dedication to the important local event.
A delegate from UWR, Robyn Edwards-Bentz, was in attendance for part of the meeting to field questions, and to ensure a new executive was elected. She also clarified there may be a need for UWR to loan the start-up funds for this year's event, which would have to go to vote, with the understanding there is a risk of the loan not being able to be repaid. The logistics, she noted, are still being worked out to include mutual terms, and the UW logo may still be included for one more telethon. Given how long it takes to register a new NFP, the 44th annual Weyburn Communithon will also likely need to utilize the 50/50 license of UWR.
Manko-Bauche said Communithon is not dissolving, it is evolving. The organization is not 'starting from scratch', given the ongoing support from UWR. She said, "This is an opportunity to do things the way Weyburn likes to see them done."
"The United Way has been a phenomenal parent agency," she expressed, noting there is an option for member agencies' applications to be grandfathered in this year as well, due to the timing. This means the applications from last year can be used again this year. Either way, the application deadline will be one month from the AGM.
In order for a community agency to qualify for participating in the allocations from Communithon, they require a program, an office, or a staff member in Weyburn.
Manko-Bauche said moving forward can be more expansive, possibly to include more community groups whose mandates have maybe previously not lined up with United Way's mandates.
Part of the transition to a local NFP will include lawyer services ad hoc, provided by Steven Schuck.
The date for the 44th annual Weyburn Communithon, rather than being on the last Friday of October this year, which is Halloween, was set for October 24th, 2025.
The date being set at this time of year allows the venue to be booked, as well as ensuring Access Communications can allocate its resources to televise the 15-hour event.
A new executive was voted in, with Lindsay Manko-Bauche the new Communithon Committee Chair. Since past chair Lynda Rideout is part of one of the member agencies, Envision Counselling and Support Centre, the previous past chair Korryn Kubashek offered to stay in the role. The Vice Chair will be another mainstay board member, Dallen Hodgkin.
Newcomer Krista Hubick was voted in as Treasurer and Carley Istace as Secretary. While Hubick is a newcomer to the organization, Istace has been involved for a number of years in various capacities, including as an announcer, and both have a strong background in administration.
According to Manko-Bauche, members-at-large provide a 'sober second opinion', much like the United Way had been providing, as they are not affiliated with any of the community agencies.
Two members at large were elected, Corey Morrissette, who has been involved with the event for 24 years in his role as Producer with Access Communications, and Lindsee Michel, another long-time Communithon committee member, and former 'Lady Charity'.
It was also determined that they would leave two more members at large positions open to tender in the case of those who were unable to attend the AGM.
Sub committee Chairs were also elected.
The Entertainment Co-Chairs will once again be Korryn Kubashek of CNIB and Dominika Krzeminska of Big Brothers Big Sisters Weyburn. This committee also handles organizing announcers, staging, and facilities.
The Decorations Chair elected was Dallen Hodgkin. This may also include decorating a parade float for the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce Summer Parade.
The Ambassadors Chair will once again be Lindsee Michel, who has already arranged for 12 Ambassadors this year, between Grade nine and Grade 12, ensuring a streamlined succession plan.
The new Volunteer/ Food Chair will be Laura Morrissette, who is a long-time Communithon volunteer. This includes organizing volunteers and ensuring they are fed throughout the 15-hour event.
The Business Co-Chairs will be Tasha Collins of CMHA Weyburn and Shannon Fodchuck of Southeast Advocates. Under this umbrella falls the 50/50 raffle, which will be under the UWR for one more event; the Silent Auction, which is facilitated online, will be headed up by Helen Crocombe of Southeast Advocates. The Jars campaign will be headed by Yvonne Jones, and the Business mailouts and other duties are still to be determined.
The Communications Co-Chairs will once again be Lynda Rideout and Raven Daer with Envision. This committee handles media and press releases. The advertising arm of this committee will be handled by Lindsay Manko-Bauche; social media will be handled by the Ambassadors.
The Finance Committee Chair will be Krista Hubick, with guidance from Tasha Collins and joined by previous committee members Lori Wolstenholme and Lynda Rideout.
With the board is in formation and establishing its terms of reference, the Allocations Committee Chair is still to be determined. Manko-Bauche pointed out this role is, "A short-term commitment with a big payout."
Anyone from the community who would like to join any of these committees is welcome to get in touch via email and / or attend the next Communithon Committee meeting on May 12th at 7 p.m. at Southeast College.
Find the Weyburn Communithon website HERE and follow them on Facebook.