Published on October 15, 2026
Make a Difference in Your Community
Making a difference in your community can come in many different forms, whether it is on the front lines as a nurse, or behind the scenes on a City board or committee.
Here are two members of the Seniors’ Advisory Committee who shared their experiences serving their community and why you should too:
Suzanne Clemens
How long have you been on the Seniors Advisory Committee? What positions have you held during this time?
I have served on the St. Albert Seniors Advisory Committee for the past four years both as the Chair and a standing member.
Why did you initially apply to be on the Seniors Advisory Committee?
I have always been passionate about volunteering and giving back to my community. As someone who values inclusion and community engagement, I wanted to help ensure that seniors in St. Albert have opportunities to remain connected, informed and supported. The committee provided a meaningful way to contribute to initiatives that benefit older adults such as rolling out the Seniors & Elders Service Award program which was well received within the community.
How long have you been a resident of St. Albert?
I have proudly called St. Albert home since 2009. During that time, I have seen the city continue to grow while maintaining its strong sense of community and commitment to supporting residents of all ages.
What is your favourite part about your community?
My favourite part of St. Albert is the strong sense of community. People genuinely care about one another, and there are so many opportunities to get involved, volunteer and make a difference. The City also does an excellent job of providing programs, services, and spaces that bring people together such as the green belt walking trails, Servus Place and local events.
Have you done any other volunteer work in St. Albert that you're proud of?
One of the volunteer experiences I am most proud of was serving as a Big Sister for 30 years. Building meaningful relationships and mentoring young people over such a long period was incredibly rewarding and remains one of the highlights of my volunteer journey. I also served as President of the Catholic Women's League at Holy Family Catholic Church for four years, where I had the opportunity to support community initiatives, members and connect with others who shared a passion for service.
Volunteering has been a significant part of my life for many years. I have volunteered with Edmonton Police Victim Services, supported individuals through crisis, Suicide Distress Line, and assisted newcomers by reading and providing support through the Edmonton Public Library. More recently, I have enjoyed volunteering my time and resources at the lake, organizing and leading programs and activities for children with the help of lake friends. Each of these experiences has been rewarding in its own way and has reinforced my belief in the importance of giving back to the community.
What would you say to anyone considering applying to sit on a St. Albert Committee or Board?
I would highly encourage them to apply. Serving on a committee or board is a wonderful opportunity to learn about your community, contribute your perspective, and help shape decisions that make a positive difference and of course meet new friends. You don't need to be an expert, just someone who cares and is willing to participate and share ideas.
Do you have any other hobbies or things you like to do when not busy serving your community?
Outside of volunteering, I enjoy spending time outdoors at the lake paddleboarding, playing board games, travelling, and staying active as Service Credit Union Place which I am a member. I have always loved horses and horseback riding, and I enjoy activities that allow me to connect with nature. I also value spending time with family and friends and exploring new experiences.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Serving on the Seniors Advisory Committee has been a rewarding experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a community that has given me so much. Volunteering has been an important part of my life, and I believe that even small contributions can have a meaningful impact. I would encourage others to get involved and discover the many rewarding ways they can help strengthen our community.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t share that I have enjoyed working collaboratively with fellow committee members, City staff and Councillors to ensure seniors' voices are heard and represented.
Lori Jack
How long have you been on the Seniors Advisory Committee? What positions have you held during this time?
This is my third year serving as a member of the Seniors’ Advisory Committee (SAC). During my second year, I had the honor of serving as Vice-Chair, where I represented SAC at various events and made numerous contributions through community service and advocacy on behalf of seniors in St. Albert.
In addition to my work with SAC, I also volunteered to represent the committee as a member of the Older Adult Collaborative (SAOAC), formerly known as the Older Adult Working Group. Through this role, I have had the opportunity to contribute to important conversations and initiatives that support and enhance the lives of older adults in our community.
This year, I am privileged to continue my volunteer service on the Seniors Advisory Committee in the role of Chair. I look forward to building on the work we have accomplished and continuing to advocate for, support, and serve the senior community in St. Albert.
Why did you initially apply to be on the Seniors Advisory Committee?
After more than 40 years of nursing experience in Saskatchewan and Alberta, I developed a strong passion for serving my community and improving the quality of life for seniors and older adults. Most of my nursing career has been spent working in the community with seniors as a home care nurse and manager, and acting as a role model to others in different leadership capacities (as an educator, clinical manager, falls prevention coordinator, wound care and geriatric nurse specialist and community assessor). I truly value working with seniors and their families, and helping older adults remain safe, healthy, independent, and connected to the resources and services available to them.
When I learned about the opportunity to serve on the Seniors’ Advisory Committee, I felt it would be an excellent way to continue using the nursing skills, attributes and knowledge I have developed throughout my career from a health care perspective, and to share that learning and experience with others.
During the time I was employed at the St. Albert and Sturgeon Primary Care Network, I was a member of the Seniors Working Group for more than five years and served as co-chair for several of those years. This working group was a precursor to the current St. Albert Older Adult Collaborative. I also participated on several subcommittees, including the Elder Abuse Committee and the Transportation Subcommittee. These experiences gave me a deeper understanding of the issues facing seniors in our community and the importance of collaboration among health care providers, community organizations and other agencies. Many of these challenges still exist today.
Through all of my varied roles as a clinician and a community leader, I gained a wide-ranging understanding of the healthcare system and the challenges that seniors and their families face when trying to navigate it. I still feel my experience, knowledge, excellent communication skills and passion for working with older adults allows me to make a meaningful contribution to the Seniors’ Advisory Committee.
Most important, I wanted to use the knowledge and skills I’ve developed throughout my nursing career to help me continue to make a difference to seniors in their lives. This includes acting as an advocate for them, increasing their awareness of available healthcare and community resources, and helping ensure they have information, support, and opportunities they need to live safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
How long have you been a resident of St. Albert?
I have been a resident of St. Albert for 27 years. My husband and I moved here from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in 1999 when I accepted a position as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. A year later my husband joined me after transferring from Saskatoon with Deloitte.
What is your favourite part about your community?
What I appreciate most about our community is the friendliness and strong sense of belonging that makes St. Albert such a wonderful place to live. We are fortunate to have beautiful parks, trails, and natural spaces throughout the city. Our extensive Red Willow Trail network connects neighbourhoods, parks, and the Sturgeon Valley making it easy for residents to walk or cycle, enjoy the River Valley, visit the beautiful Botanic Park, take advantage of our recreational facilities, or explore nearby natural areas such as the Lois Hole Provincial Park.
St. Albert also has a distinctive culture and a strong emphasis on neighbourhood connections. Our community events have a welcoming family-friendly and inclusive atmosphere. Our City promotes and encourages neighbourhoods to hold block parties throughout the year including our cul-du-sac which holds one yearly, usually in September. This year it was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with neighbours and to meet new ones.
And our volunteers working and serving in the community make such a difference to residents of all ages. Everyone is so passionate about their work!
I also love our distinctive downtown with its mix of independent shops, restaurants, cultural attractions and the exciting and well-known Farmers’ Market. All of these things – the natural beauty, recreational opportunities, the people – are what make St. Albert feel like such a special community.
Have you done any other volunteer work in St. Albert that you’re proud of?
In addition to my service on the SAC and as a representative from SAC, I am serving for a second term and the past three years, on the Older Adult Working Group, now the Older Adult Collaborative (SAOAC). The name was changed this summer to better reflect the committee’s work and the support it provides to older adults in our community. I am proud of the meaningful work that the 12 organizations representing SAOAC perform and the positive impact we have in St. Albert.
As a volunteer, I have attended and assisted with numerous community events and initiatives, including the 2025 Seniors Golden Expo and activities during Seniors’ week 2026. I have also participated in transportation and housing meetings, attended Indigenous events, and supported the liaison and Chair of SAOAC with a variety of community projects. These projects have included revising our 2026 and 2027 St. Albert 211 Resources for Older Adults and Seniors, developing the new 2027 St. Albert Resource Calendar, contributing to housing brochures, attending events through the Healthy Aging Alberta program, and helping revise the SAOAC Terms of Reference. All of these resources are excellent means to assist our residents in keeping up to date with events and increasing awareness of our wonderful city.
Another volunteer role I am passionate about is providing educational presentations at the St. Albert Public Library, several churches throughout St. Albert this past year, and one for SASHA. Topics I have presented include fall prevention, understanding arthritis, enriching your memory, and caring for the caregiver. Through these programs, I enjoy sharing information, networking, supporting caregivers, meeting other community residents and helping older adults maintain their health, independence and quality of life.
What would you say to anyone considering applying to sit on a St. Albert Committee or Board?
I would strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about applying to a City of St, Albert committee or board to take that initiative and become involved. Serving on a committee or board provides a wonderful opportunity to learn more about municipal government processes, how it works, learn about the issues and challenges facing our community, and to have a voice, with opportunities to develop and strengthen your leadership skills. For those who have a passion for supporting seniors and their families, it is a particularly rewarding way to help improve quality of life and make our community a better place to live, work and age.
But perhaps the greatest benefit is the sense of connection that comes from becoming more involved in your community. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to contribute, build relationships and take a greater sense of ownership in the community you call home.
St. Albert provides a friendly, welcoming and inclusive environment where volunteers are valued and where different life experiences are welcomed.
You don’t have to have all the answers or be an expert to participate on civic committees. You can bring your passion, your life experience, skills, your ideas, and your willingness to listen and contribute. Most importantly, your voice matters, and you truly can make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the community you serve.
Do you have any other hobbies or things you like to do when not busy serving your community?
Absolutely! I love to relax, by golfing in my spare time. I’m a member of a ladies’ league out at Seba beach, and I really enjoy the opportunity to get out on the course, meet other women, and like fresh air and exercise. Golf is a wonderful way to stay active while spending time outdoors and appreciating nature.
I also enjoy walking and hiking with my husband and dog, Charley. Charley is an Australian Shepherd and he is very energetic, so he keeps us moving and makes sure we get outside for walks every day.
Lastly, I appreciate meeting new people, networking with colleagues and travelling whenever I have the opportunity. We have three children who reside in different parts of Canada; so much of our travel involves visiting family and friends. It’s a wonderful way to stay connected with people who are important to me while exploring different parts of the country.
Want to join a City of St. Albert board or committee? Put your passion into action, apply today at: stalbert.ca/civicagencies
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Last edited: October 15, 2026