About us

A Legacy of Community on Hornby Island

Hornby Island has a rich history of forming organizations focused on the intellectual, moral, and social improvement of Hornby Islanders, dating back to the 1890s. In the 1970s, New Horizons was a federal government initiative aimed at providing opportunities for older people through projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities.

The Beginning of New Horizons

The first meeting of the Hornby Island New Horizons Society took place on March 2, 1977, at the McPhersons’ home. It was attended by Hilary Brown, Betty Smith, Elrita Hoegi, Olive Bennett, Monica Phillips, Lincoln Painter, Muriel Rogers, and Moffet and Lorna McPherson. The Society was officially registered as a charitable society on December 7, 1977, and the New Horizons meeting hall hosted its first meeting on May 3, 1978.

A Thriving Community Hub Today

Today, the New Horizons Society of Hornby Island is a thriving organization with 195 members aged 50 and older. The Society supports the Vancouver Island Regional Library by providing leased space. This non-profit organization also supports and houses the Hornby Island Community Archives.

Programs, Partnerships, and Rentals

In a separate building, the Society supports the Fabricators, a spinning and weaving group. The main hall is open for a variety of activities, from a weekly Literary Lunch to all kinds of fun, creative, and engaging programs. We also rent the hall for community and private events.

Constitutions & Bylaws

The New Horizons Society of Hornby Island operates under a Constitution and Bylaws that guide how the Society is governed and how it serves its members and the community. These documents outline the Society’s purpose, structure, decision-making processes, and the responsibilities of its directors and members.

Together, the Constitution and Bylaws help ensure that the Society remains transparent, accountable, and true to its mission. They provide a framework for effective governance while supporting the organization’s continued growth and sustainability.

Members are encouraged to review these documents to better understand how the Society operates and how they can participate in its ongoing success.

Constitution & Bylaws