REGINA — The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities says Ray Orb will be stepping down as president at the end of August.
The acting president will be William (Bill) Huber, SARM’s current vice-president.
The official search for an elected president will begin in January 2025 and conclude with an election during the SARM Annual Convention in March 2025. All nominees for president must be elected officials in a rural municipality. Until then, Huber says he is confident stepping into the role and is looking forward to the challenge.
Orb, elected to the SARM board in 2004, says the decision not to finish out his term comes after 20 years of dedicated service, good timing and a desire to start experiencing life in a different way.
“After 20 years of proudly serving SARM, the timing just feels right,” says Orb. “Since announcing back in March that I wouldn’t be seeking re-election, the transition has gone so smoothly that there wasn’t any real reason to delay stepping down. SARM is in incredibly capable hands with Bill Huber as acting president, and I’m looking forward to more family time, so it just makes sense.”
“My passions in life are people, rural Saskatchewan and farming,” says Huber, “so I couldn’t be more honoured to step into this acting position. Having held the role of vice-president for the last four years, I know first-hand what a great leader Ray Orb is and how significant his contributions have been. It’s my privilege to continue that work.”
As for Orb, he’s looking back — and forward — with immense gratitude.
“It’s been a tremendous privilege to listen to and learn from all the people I’ve worked with and represented. That strength of community and pride in rural Saskatchewan is something I took with me everywhere I went. That’s something that will never change.”
