LEWISTON – The YWCA of Central Maine held its annual meeting on Nov. 16 in the Wade Center, 130 East Ave.

Departing board members were honored for their service and newly appointed board members were welcomed. Diane McManus, president of the board of directors, told those gathered that the YWCA had a year of successes.

She thanked long-term members of the organization, some of whom have been members of the YWCA for more than 40 years. She also thanked donors who contributed to the strong financial position the YWCA has been able to establish over the previous two years.

Tammy Paradis, who manages the financial operations, reviewed the year. The YWCA has improved its financial position through the maintenance of prudent staff levels. The bottom line improved by $90,000 from June of 2004 to 2005.

The YWCA receives 70 percent of its revenue from program fees, which is a large percentage for a nonprofit. Paradis said, “We are fortunate to have strong programs that attract these revenues.”

In addition to the improvement in revenues, organizational expenses decreased by $25,000. While occupancy and operating expenses increased over the previous year, this increase was more than offset by savings realized in personnel expenses.

Anne Craigs, executive director, announced a new initiative called the YWCA Academy of Women. The academy will have the mission of supporting the YWCA in the community.

Craigs said, “These women help us to better understand how to hone our programming to meet community needs, they bring new members through our doors, and they represent the YWCA within their networks of friends, colleagues and through their civic engagement.”

The inductees were Lee Young, Barbara Trafton, Susan Boyd, Barbara Randall, Tonie Ramsey, Elizabeth Hoy, Pamela Gallant and Martha Breunig.

“Each of these women has contributed to the YWCA in a special way. Instead of etching their names into a plaque, we decided to honor them with an annual celebration, the first of which will be in May of next year,” said Craigs.

To learn more about the YWCA Academy of Women, contact Craigs at the YWCA, 795-4050.