The District Manager for Seine Rat River Conservation District says district members were in awe Monday night.

Jodi Goerzen explains they were honoured to have Lieutenant Governor Janice Filmon bring greetings to their organizational meeting. She was accompanied by her husband, former Premier Gary Filmon.

"The fact that we had her honour Janice Filmon, our Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba come and bring greetings was a real inspiration to everyone," says Goerzen. "And I think it was even more of an inspiration to find out that she was bringing her husband to the event as well. So I think a lot of the municipal members had a real smile on their face when they saw that."

"To all those that work to protect the rivers and creeks that run through our province, I offer thanks and really sincere congratulations on your accomplishments here in the Seine Rat River Conservation District," Filmon spoke to those present. "And to all those volunteers who are being recognized tonight, you are the gold of this earth. You've given your time and energy to the very thing that life is made out of. We don't get it back, but you're making a difference. And for that, all of us thank you."

Goerzen says she was flattered to learn why Manitoba's Lieutenant Governor agreed to come to Steinbach Monday night. Goerzen met Filmon earlier this year at Government House in Winnipeg while representing another organization.

"She said it was my joy and passion for the district that really sparked her interest to want to come out and bring greetings to our group," says Goerzen. "So I was quite happy about that."

Meanwhile, about 70 people attended Monday's meeting. It was an opportunity to organize the different district boards represented under Seine Rat River Conservation District.

Goerzen says there is very little change to their Board of Directors. Cornie Goertzen will continue to serve as Chair and Jim Swidersky stays on as Vice Chair. Swidersky has been appointed by Stuartburn as a ratepayer representative. The only change this year to their Board of Directors is that Rod Beckman of La Broquerie will take over for John Fehr as chair of the Manning Canal watershed.

The October municipal election could have resulted in much more change to the Board of Directors. Goerzen is thankful to keep the board mostly intact and that they could hit the ground running.

"When you have a lot of new members you never quite know what their engagement level is and what their desire is," she says. "And also, what their capability is to hold a position or to be able to carry the vision of an organization along.''

Goerzen notes they were also able to honour 21 individuals Monday night who have spent 10 years or more with the Conservation District.