We have been through some interesting and trying times, but hopefully we are springing towards a healthy, welcoming Centre full of great meals, activities, and friendly interactions.
On February 16th, we held our AGM in a unique two-session format to ensure we were following Covid safety protocols of 50% capacity in the auditorium. Thank you to Linda and Tony Stroud for chairing the meeting and to everyone who came out to support the Centre.
Another thank you to our interim board members who stepped up in December to ensure the continuation of the Centre until the new board could be sworn in at the AGM. These members are Linda Stroud, Roy Wren, Tony Stroud, Kit Artus, Marni Mulloy, Doug Smith, Christine O’Brennan, Wilma Lorimer, and Sylvia Graber. Thank you to all who have offered to be a resource for the new board.
Disappointingly, Centre Manager Lori Stemmler, resigned her position effective immediately via email on Family Day.
Without a Centre Manager, or any notice period to assist the new board to navigate the systems in place, there will be a challenging adjustment period as the board learns about the day to day running of the Centre and possibly recruiting a new manager. Your board will be meeting regularly to successfully navigate these changes and are committed to keeping the Centre running well and communicating regularly with the membership.
Before introducing your new board members, I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank everyone who has been so supportive during the past few months. It is truly appreciated.
Thank you to ALL of the Centre volunteers who have stepped up to keep the Centre running!
The 2022 SSAC Board of Directors – (standing, left to right) Viktor Kiss, Tony Stroud, Roy Wren, Fred Baines, Jim Quirk, Ken Legge, Mark Garland; (seated, left to right): Alison Kowalewski, Sylvia Hockley, Maureen Parker, Gill Smith. (not in picture: Val Galat)
Here is a bit of information about your new board:
SIX DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Fred Baines
Fred is a professional engineer involved primarily in project management. By virtue of his training and experience, Fred is organized and methodical and a problem solver. Possessing strong interpersonal skills, management of time and costs and understand the importance of developing a strong team environment and providing open communication.
Mark Garland
Mark started visiting Sechelt when he was 11 years old and moved here permanently in 2018. Mark worked in the computer division of B.C. Hydro for 35 years.
A former board member of St. Michael’s Centre (seniors care home) in Burnaby and an executive on the Board of the Royal City Power and Sail Squadron and the Royal City Yacht Club.
Mark joined the SSAC with his wife within a month of moving back to the Coast and were involved with Memory Café and Minds in Motion until Lyn passed away in June 2020 from complications with Alzheimer’s. Mark has recently taken up Pickleball and enjoys the comradery of the game.
Sylvia Hockley
Sylvia was employed as manager of RCMP Victim Services for over 25 years, first in North Vancouver and then on the Sunshine Coast. Providing crisis intervention services to victims of crime and other traumatic events, Sylvia felt privileged to help members of the community through what was often the worst time of their lives.
A SSAC member for over 10 years, Sylvia played pickleball most of that time and volunteered as a pickleball coordinator with two other members for several years as well as assisting in the office with counting activities fees weekly. As well, Sylvia took on a new challenge—ukulele, and loves it.
Viktor Kiss
Viktor is a Ryerson Graduate in Electrical Engineering Technology. Viktor has worked for Canadian Press, Alcatel (train control division– skytrain), University of Waterloo, MDS Labs, Secure Computing, MKS, Cisco, SAP. Viktor enjoys collaboration and has strong organizational, computer and communication skills. Viktor designed the “SSACSign” sign in program for Pickleball during Covid to help the activity run safely and generate income for the Centre.
Maureen Parker
Maureen was employed in various hospitals for over 30 years and has been a Lions’ member for many years. As well as volunteering in the office, Maureen is also involved in different activities such as carpet bowling and is interested in possible new activities such as badminton.
James Quirk
Jim is a retired high school teacher. Jim and family have lived on and off the Coast since 1984. Jim is a long- time volunteer at the Centre, especially in the kitchen including the much needed dishwasher position.
EXECUTIVE
President – Gillian Smith
Gill has been Board President of many Coast organizations including Sunshine Coast Community Services, SC – Canadian Federation of University Women, SC-CFUW Bursary Society, SC Branch SPCA and Friends of the Sechelt Public Library. Gill has also served on the Board of the Sechelt Library and the SSAC.
Gill was an Intellectual Property Lawyer in Toronto and Vancouver and has the ability to solve problems, think critically and negotiate solutions when necessary.
Gill has extensive knowledge about the Centre due to her time as a Day Director, as the Rental and Activity Coordinator and as an Activity Co-chair.
Vice-President – Roy Wren
Roy is a retired adult educator at BCIT. Roy was a board member of the Gibsons Curling Club, member of the ElderCollege Program Committee and board member of the SSAC who enjoyed Bridge and helping in the office.
Past-President – Antony Stroud
Antony has served on the SSAC board as Interim President, “Treasurer” and Director at Large and was Maintenance Director during the renovation of the auditorium several years ago. In addition, Tony has been responsible for AV and IT management. Tony has technical, mechanical and safety standards management experience.
Treasurer – Alison Kowalewski
Alison has lived on the Coast for nearly 39 years and has been involved in many organized groups. Alison has volunteered for the food bank, Planned Parenthood, and was on the executive of the Gibsons Business and Professional Women’s Association. Alison still volunteers at the loan cupboard with the hospital auxiliary. After moving to Sechelt with her husband six years ago, Alison joined the SSAC and has enjoyed many activities and has volunteered in the dining room.
Alison’s working career was in dentistry, a dental assistant, receptionist, office management and then practice management. Alison did the books, payroll and year-end reports to hand over to the accountant.
Secretary – Val Galat
Val joined SSAC over five years ago and has been an active member, both as a participant in activities and as a volunteer. Val worked at the Treasure Chest Toonie Draw, on the fundraising committee for the renovation and chaired the Donor Wall committee. Val enthusiastically plays pickleball and has helped coach beginner groups.
Val has a background in business and includes organizational skills, minute taking, plus computer and financial experience. Val is approachable and a problem solver and brings her unique skill set to the SSAC to enhance its goals.
Maintenance Director – Ken Legge
President of Cycling BC and on the Board of Directors of Cycling Canada for 14 years. Ken has two degrees from UBC and ran his own business building custom bicycles for 25 years. While working, Ken also built four homes and the first covered Velodrome in North America. Ken was responsible for fundraising all the money for the Velodrome and acted as the General Contractor for the Velodrome. Ken has been a member of SSAC for over ten years.
You’ll be seeing your new board members around the Centre and we hope to be holding regular information sessions or town halls, hopefully starting in April. We are committed to working hard to ensure the continued success of this amazing organization with lots of opportunities for communicating with us, lots of opportunities to share your experience and expertise on Committees and volunteer roles and of course, opportunities to enjoy the Centre as we open up even more (touch wood).
Gillian Smith
