AGM celebrates growth, collaboration
Ranch Ehrlo Society marked an important milestone with its 59th Annual General Meeting (AGM), a chance to look back on a year of growth and collaboration while charting the path ahead.
Board members, senate, staff, and other stakeholders joined the AGM virtually on Wednesday, September 24.
Blair Swystun, board chair, opened the meeting with a land acknowledgement before moving into the approval of the agenda and minutes from the 2024 Ranch Ehrlo AGM.
In his Chair’s Report, Blair highlighted the agency’s strategic direction through the launch of a five-year plan focused on inclusion, innovation, and growth. He spoke about expansion in the family programs and celebrated community-driven initiatives made possible through strong partnerships. Blair also recognized Ranch Ehrlo as one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for the 14th consecutive year.
“We are proud of this designation and continue to work hard to ensure we provide a workplace that supports employees in building brighter futures for our participants and themselves,” he said, before passing the floor to CEO Natalie Huber.
Natalie presented the CEO Report, which showcased the agency’s record-breaking annual powwow and the release of the agency’s Indigenous Engagement Guide – developed to deepen our collective understanding and create more meaningful opportunities for reconciliation in our daily work.
She also spoke about improvements behind the scenes, from enhanced case management and centralized contracts to staff-focused initiatives that strengthen service delivery.
Speaking to service delivery, Natalie paused to recognize the efforts of the staff who truly make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities every day.
“The true impact of our work is seen through the pride and dedication of our staff. A few months ago, I attended the southern youth Awards Night. I’ve been to many of these events before, but this time I was struck by the voices of external stakeholders – people who pulled me aside to comment on the passion, commitment, and pride of Ranch Ehrlo staff. They saw what I see every day: staff who make children, youth, and families the centre of every celebration. At each event I attend, I’m reminded of how deeply our staff care, and how much progress our participants are making because of our staff’s commitment. That’s what makes this work so special.”
Building on that sense of pride, Shelley Reddekopp, vice-president of support services, provided a high-level overview of the agency’s financial health. She shared that the 2024-25 financial results were positive, with a year-end net surplus of $2.9 million. Shelley outlined notable capital expenditures, including renovations, landscaping projects, and backup power installations at the Buckland and Pilot Butte campuses. Members voted to receive and approve the audited financial statements and confirmed the continued appointment of Deloitte as the auditor for 2025-26.
Board appointments were then presented and approved, welcoming new members Lindsay Oliver, Anne-Marie Ursan, and Yaya Wang. Recognition was also given to outgoing board members Amy Groothius, Deb Pacholka, and Frank Regel for their impactful service and strong leadership.
Together, these updates, recognitions, and celebrations reflect Ranch Ehrlo Society’s ongoing commitment to transparency, excellence, and service to children, families, and communities across Saskatchewan.
For a deeper look at our key initiatives and highlights, we invite you to read Ranch Ehrlo’s 2024-25 Annual Report on ehrlo.com. You can also explore the 2024-25 Outcomes Report for detailed information and statistical data on the success of our programs and participants.