The Arvika Swedish Peace, a local association of the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Association, held its first annual meeting on February 27, according to multiple reports. At the meeting, the local association's statutes were adopted. The following board was elected: Chairperson Lena Waldau, Secretary Lennart Blix, Treasurer Johanna Fors, and other members Rolf Marling, Åsa Österman-Jaworowski, Birgitta Amoroso, and Lennart Olsson.
Arvika Swedish Peace does not share the view that increased militarization and weapons deterrence are the most powerful means to avoid war and achieve lasting peace, the association stated. It has the ambition to gather its members and others with the same position to be more present in the local public discussion. Information about upcoming activities will be available on the local association's website, according to the association.
During the meeting, two board members left their positions, and the nomination committee proposed two new candidates, which were approved by the annual meeting. New board members were elected: Bertil Eriksson as treasurer and Bengt-Erik Björch as secretary. The financial balance sheet, activity report, and audit were approved, and the board was granted discharge from liability. The membership fee remained unchanged.
After the formal proceedings, there was a music session with Eva and Tage Lundquist playing accordion music, and Tage playing the Jämtland song on harmonica in both major and minor keys. The evening ended traditionally with coffee and dipping, and six scratch lottery tickets were raffled off. Meeting chairperson Steffen Johansson thanked for the trust to lead the annual meeting and invited attendees to good sandwich cake and coffee.
In choir updates, Berthold Ögren has turned 95. Due to illness, two members have been forced to leave the choir. The choir restart took place at Björnforsen. A spring concert will be held in Själevad Church on May 3, and a Christmas concert is planned around Advent time in Själevad Church.
The new choir board was elected as follows: Chairperson Tage Söderlind for one year, Secretary Georg Nordin with one year remaining, Treasurer Lars-Åke Åkerlund for two years, members Tommy Eriksson for two years in a new election, and Mårten Sellin for one year in a new election, with substitutes Ivan Berglund and Bengt Näslund each for one year in new elections.
Separately, ABF's dance guild held its annual meeting in Ladan on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, according to multiple reports. The meeting was opened by chairperson Margit Johansson, who welcomed the members, and a minute of silence was held for members who died in 2025: Inga Sandgren, Stig Sandström, Sigurd Jonsson, Gerd Andersson, and Sture Marklund. Håkan Almqvist was elected as chairperson to lead the meeting.