Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.10, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site.

# Board Voice

Leadership. Collaboration. Community.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://boardvoice.ca/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [BC mandate letters now posted](https://boardvoice.ca/2025/01/18/bc-mandate-letters-now-posted/) - Premier David Eby issued mandate letters to his new cabinet on Jan. 16. You can find the mandates for the key cabinet ministers relevant to the community non-profit social services sector in our Resources section, and click here for the BC Government page listing all cabinet ministers and their mandates. With the exception of the
- [Happy New Year! Greetings from our Co-Chairs](https://boardvoice.ca/2025/01/08/happy-new-year-greetings-from-our-co-chairs/) - On behalf of all the Directors of Board Voice, we would like to wish you a very happy 2025. May this new year, be one of success and prosperity for you and your organizations. To our new members, welcome to the Board Voice family. To our returning members, we thank you for your loyalty. We
- [Meet your new BC cabinet members](https://boardvoice.ca/2024/11/25/meet-your-new-cabinet-members/) - Premier David Eby has appointed a new cabinet, so sharpen up your advocacy skills for a new round of meetings for getting to know a (mostly) brand-new team. Board Voice will be posting key cabinet ministers' mandate letters under our Resources link as soon as they're available. But in the meantime, here's some broad strokes
- [Intimate partner violence can be life sentence for victim](https://boardvoice.ca/2024/05/06/intimate-partner-violence-too-often-a-life-sentence-for-victim/) - This opinion piece from Board Voice advocate (and former executive director) Jody Paterson appeared in the Victoria Times Colonist in March. Board Voice has partnered with The Cridge Centre for the Family on the important work of advocating for awareness and services for victims of intimate partner violence who have incurred a brain injury as
- [Huge cost to lack of support for Indigenous youth aging out of care](https://boardvoice.ca/2023/10/13/huge-cost-to-lack-of-support-for-indigenous-youth-aging-out-of-care/) - A new report from the Conference Board of Canada warns that failure to improve programs for young Indigenous adults transitioning out of government care could cost the Canadian economy billions, reports CBC. The report, Empowering Indigenous Youth in Care as They Transition to Adulthood: Critical Actions for Philanthropy and Policy, found that "if investments weren't
- [Opinion: A harsh dilemma for BC transition houses](https://boardvoice.ca/2023/06/29/opinion-a-harsh-dilemma-for-bc-transition-houses/) - When news broke in The Tyee this month of women having to leave a BC transition house into homelessness, the story on the surface appeared to be about an unwieldy transition house treating people unfairly. But community social services know that there's much more to those kinds of stories. For transition houses in particular, they
- [Powerful Trevor Linden video highlights concussion in intimate partner violence](https://boardvoice.ca/2023/05/16/powerful-trevor-linden-video-highlights-concussion-in-intimate-partner-violence/) - There's nothing like a plot twist to get people's attention, and this 50-second video featuring former Canucks player Trevor Linden certainly does that. The video revealing the stunning statistics on intimate partner violence and brain injury was released today by the YWCA Metro Vancouver as part of its work to raise awareness of this significant
- ['I got a brain injury & a life sentence': The hidden legacy of male violence against women](https://boardvoice.ca/2023/04/02/i-got-a-brain-injury-a-life-sentence-the-hidden-legacy-of-male-violence-against-women/) - Board Voice continues to advocate here in BC on the little-known issue of intimate partner violence and brain injury, a life-changing tragedy that affects as many as 90 per cent of women who have experienced intimate partner violence. It's so hopeful to see the world waking up to this worrying issue, as evidenced by this
- [Brain injury diagnosis risks being weaponized in family courts](https://boardvoice.ca/2023/02/10/brain-injury-diagnosis-risks-being-weaponized-in-family-courts/) - One of the most essential steps in supporting women with brain injuries caused by intimate partner violence is that they are able to get an assessment or diagnosis that confirms those injuries. They won't be eligible for provincially funded brain-injury supports until they do. But as the latest research emerges from the Okanagan-based SOAR initiative
- [Brain injury a common impact in intimate partner violence](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/11/26/brain-injury-a-common-impact-in-intimate-partner-violence/) - The international awareness campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is Nov. 25 through Dec. 10, and we're sharing this CTV story on The Cridge Centre for the Family's leading work to bring attention and services to the women who suffer brain injuries as a result of intimate partner violence. Up to 90 per
- [Welcome to our new Executive Director - Tim Agg](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/11/01/welcome-to-our-new-executive-director-tim-agg/) - Board Voice is excited to announce the appointment of Tim Agg as our new executive director as of Dec. 1. As an early champion for the creation of Board Voice, Tim has an in-depth understanding of the organization, its past work, and its continued relevance for communities and community based social services. Tim brings executive
- [Leslie Welin: Board Voice's first lifetime member!](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/10/24/leslie-welin-board-voices-first-lifetime-member/) - Board Voice is delighted to announce that our organization's long-serving co-chair and community champion Leslie Welin is our first honorary life member. Leslie has long been committed to working with others to bring community-based social services together in finding innovative ways to meet the increasingly complex needs in community, and to build upon the strengths
- [Embrace Clinic gathers data at intersection of intimate partner violence & brain injury](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/10/17/embrace-clinic-jumps-in-at-intersection-of-intimate-partner-violence-brain-injury/) - A unique care clinic in Surrey has partnered with BC researchers to start gathering data on the rate of brain injury among victims of intimate partner violence. The Embrace Clinic is part of the Fraser Health Authority's forensic nursing service. As noted in a Vancouver Sun article last week, it is the only clinic of
- [Burgundy is the colour of death in BC](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/10/11/burgundy-is-the-colour-of-death-in-bc/) - Board Voice Executive Director Jody Paterson spotted a series of eight maps in the latest BC Centre for Disease Control report on the illicit toxic drug crisis and was so alarmed at the story they were telling that she made a two-minute video to bring home this staggering social catastrophe. The devastating rise in illicit
- [Proposed Mastercard rules will challenge charities](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/09/16/proposed-mastercard-rules-will-challenge-charities/) - The latest edition of Imagine Canada's Early Alert newsletter brings a new worry for charities with donors who have automatic monthly donations set up on their Mastercards. "Mastercard recently announced global changes to transaction processing rules," notes the Sept 13 Early Alert. "The new rules would, among other things, require charities and non-profits to send
- [Towards a Violence-Free Canada: Report from federal Standing Committee on the Status of Women](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/06/28/towards-a-violence-free-canada-report-from-federal-standing-committee-on-the-status-of-women/) - A must-read for any community service organization (or any Canadian, for that matter), this report from the Standing Committee on the Status of Women was tabled June 17 in Ottawa. The report is packed with important statistics for understanding the issues and impact of intimate partner violence. Board Voice has been advocating for a year
- [Strengthening the board-CEO partnership](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/06/23/strengthening-the-board-ceo-partnership/) - The most important relationship in a non-profit organization is the one between its board and the ED/CEO. It's a relationship that tests a board's understanding of its governance role and fiduciary duties, and is foundational to the success of the ED and the organization. This article from the Non-Profit Risk Management Centre shares some excellent
- [New BC framework for Children and Youth with Support Needs](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/05/05/new-bc-framework-for-children-and-youth-with-support-needs/) - The long-awaited framework that will guide services and supports for Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) in the province has now been released by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The framework was originally to be released in 2019, but was delayed by the COVID pandemic and a provincial election, among other things.
- [Board Voice scores proclamation for all those hard-working non-profit boards!](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/04/10/board-voice-scores-proclamation-for-all-those-hard-working-non-profit-boards/) - We're delighted to announce that Board Voice has successfully worked to have the first day of Volunteer Week in BC declared Non-Profit Volunteer Boards Day! April 24 will be the first ever Non-Profit Volunteer Boards Day in BC. The proclamation is now up on the BC Laws site, where it can be downloaded and shared
- [Brief requests changes to Lobbyist Transparency Act for non-profits](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/03/25/brief-requests-changes-to-lobbyist-transparency-act-for-non-profits/) - Board Voice - in collaboration with the Vancouver Foundation and the United Way of BC - participated in the creation of the brief below recommending changes to BC's Lobbyist Transparency Act. In particular, Board Voice is asking for a much clearer definition of the language around "government funding" and "coalitions," as the Act uses those
- [A little love for Community Social Services Month](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/03/17/a-little-love-for-community-social-services-month/) - Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, and Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development, have issued the following statement in recognition of Community Social Services Awareness Month, March 1-31: “This year, during Community Social Services Awareness Month, please take the time to recognize more than 42,000 individuals who work in B.C.’s
- [BC Budget 2022: The highlights](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/02/24/bc-budget-2022-the-highlights/) - Finance Minister Selina Robinson tabled the 2022 budget in the BC Legislature this week. Let's take a look at some of the highlights noted in Tyee journalist Andrew Macleod's coverage of the budget, which the Tyee describes as a "stay-the-course" budget. The budget includes stable funding for about 50 community-based sexual assault response organizations and
- [COVID-19 Information for Social Services Sector](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/03/19/covid-19-information-for-social-services-sector/) - We're updating this page regularly during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep our community social services sector informed with the latest developments affecting our work, employees, clients and communities. Workplace safety orders from BC government - updated to February 2022 COVID-19 page on BC government site with all current orders, regulations, vaccination information and more Stages
- [Vicarious liability and non-profit boards](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/02/18/cautionary-tale-for-non-profit-boards/) - A cautionary and very expensive tale for any non-profit board recently played out in BC Supreme Court, where the board of Literacy Alberni Society failed to convince the court that they were wrongly found "vicariously libel" in a defamation judgment levelled against their former executive director. The court threw out the society's case, and now they and
- [Shining a light on intimate partner violence & brain injury](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/02/01/shining-a-light-on-intimate-partner-violence-brain-injury/) - An important read on increasing awareness and action around the intersection of intimate partner violence and brain injury. Read the full piece on the University of Toronto website. People who live with brain injury from intimate partner violence face massive chasms in health care and support systems, says University of Toronto researcher Angela Colantonio. Most of
- [Explainer: Child welfare compensation for First Nations people](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/01/17/explainer-child-welfare-compensation-for-first-nations-people/) - The Canadian government and lawyers representing First Nations plaintiffs in a class-action suit have now reached agreements in principle on compensation and long-term reform of First Nations child and family services and Jordan’s Principle systems. What does that mean? The Aboriginal Peoples' Television Network (APTN) has a useful explainer here that details what this agreement
- [Crisis line services spared from open-bid process](https://boardvoice.ca/2022/01/14/crisis-line-services-spared-from-open-bid-process/) - We're delighted to be sharing this letter below received by Board Voice today from Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson. It brings the very good news that government has opted not to proceed with an open bid planned for BC's vital crisis line services. We are so appreciative that government acted on the impressive
- [Federal politics: Cabinet, shadow cabinet & critics](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/11/16/federal-politics-cabinet-and-shadow-cabinet/) - The federal government and the federal Conservative Party have now announced their respective cabinet and shadow cabinet. Board Voice will be reaching out to the leaders and Opposition critics of the key social ministries with letters of introduction - we want to ensure federal MPs know about the non-profit community social services sector as well
- [Board Voice 2018 submissions to Select Standing Committee](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/10/09/board-voice-oral-submission-to-select-standing-committee/) - Board Voice executive director Jody Paterson gave this oral presentation Oct. 9 to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Governance today in Esquimalt. We also put in a written submission as well that follows the government's format for those submissions - find that submission here. Presented Oct. 9, 2018 at the Songhees Wellness Centre,
- [Presentation to Select Standing Committee on Finance and Governance](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/06/11/presentation-to-select-standing-committee-on-finance-and-governance/) - Board Voice presents every year to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Governance, which consults annually around the province in the runup to the coming year's provincial budget. Here's what we had to say at this year's consultations, which were in June rather than the usual October. Presented on June 10, 2019, by Board
- [Our sector was heard!](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/08/07/our-sector-was-heard/) - The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Governance Services has released its recommendations for Budget 2020, and it's heartening to see that the committee members were clearly listening to submissions from Board Voice and our many members and allies in the sector who presented at public hearings in June. We remember committee reports from days
- [A better way: Board Voice submission for Budget 2021](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/06/29/a-better-way-board-voice-submission-for-budget-2021/) - Board Voice puts in a submission every year to the BC Select Standing Committee on Finance and Governance, which seeks engagement leading up to the planning of the following year's budget. Here's what we had to say this time, which is such a revelatory year around social care because of the impact of the pandemic.
- [Submission for Budget 2022: Board Voice](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/10/01/submission-for-budget-2022-board-voice/) - Board Voice wasn't able to land a live presentation with the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services this year, despite calling in within hours of the announcement of the consultations. So we just had to make do with a written submission, this one building on the two themes that were singled out for
- [Province Needs a Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/01/28/province-needs-a-social-policy-framework/) - Find the link to a January 2017 opinion piece in the Victoria Times Colonist here on the need for a provincial social policy framework. The article explores how agencies can work together to help support the complex needs of families.
- [Great non-profit board resources for all!](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/09/03/great-non-profit-board-resources-for-all/) - If you haven't yet discovered our Governance Resources section on our website, please do have a browse. While Board Voice is an umbrella organization that supports itself through membership fees, our resources page is wide open to any non-profit board looking for some help with the various issues that come up for volunteer boards. We're
- [It's always the right time for strategic planning](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/07/23/its-always-the-right-time-for-strategic-planning/) - So much change going on in all directions - this must be the time to hold tight to the status quo for your non-profit organization and ride it out until things calm down, right? Wrong, says strategic planning consultant Belinda Lyons-Newman in this Board Source blog post. She advocates "scenario planning," and provides some steps
- [Making it Easier to Do Good: More on Sen. Ratna Omidvar and Bill S-222](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/06/18/making-it-easier-to-do-good-more-on-sen-ratna-omidvar-and-bill-s-222/) - We've been following Canadian Senator Ratna Omidvar's efforts to change Income Tax Act legislation around requirements for charities that have ended up restricting their ability to give funding to non-charities whose work they support. The bill is now in third reading in the Senate. Here's a post on the Rabble website on what these proposed
- [On residential school impact: Start with listening](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/06/04/on-residential-schools-start-with-listening/) - This piece was written by Board Voice Co-Chair Leslie Welin, who is also Chair of the Board of the Clements Centre Society. On May 31 in the Legislature of British Columbia, Adam Olsen, a member of the Tsartlip First Nation and MLA for Saanich and the Gulf Islands, responded to the horrifying discovery of the
- [Spotlight on our members for Community Social Services Month](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/03/08/spotlight-on-our-members-for-community-social-services-month/) - We were delighted at the opportunity to see the work of our member organizations profiled by the BC government for Community Social Services Month in March 2021. Eleven of the 12 agency profiles posted here were shared via the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction website. This government initiative provided us with the chance
- [StatsCan: Face of non-profit sector is well-educated, female, aging and unequally paid](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/05/04/statscan-face-of-non-profit-sector-is-well-educated-female-aging-and-unequally-paid/) - Statistics Canada has just released 2019 data providing insight into Canada's non-profit workforce, which now accounts for almost 13 per cent of all jobs in Canada. No surprises to see that the majority of workers in these 2.5 million jobs are female (77 per cent), getting older (23 per cent of the jobs are held
- [Mandate Letters for new BC Cabinet Ministers](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/07/28/mandate-letters-for-new-bc-cabinet-ministers/) - BC's new government was sworn in last week. Premier John Horgan issued mandate letters to his ministers this week. Board Voice is working hard on the There is a Better Way: A BC Framework for Wellbeing project and we hope to meet with the new ministers soon to discuss a social policy framework for the
- [Social Procurement: Moving from ‘Do no harm’ to ‘Do some good’](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/07/28/social-procurement-moving-from-do-no-harm-to-do-some-good/) - What is social procurement? Sandra Hamilton explains it in-depth in her paper Social Procurement The Olympic, Commonwealth & Pan Am Games, and the growing case for Social Procurement Policy in Canada, but in a nutshell, it's a leveraging of procurement dollars to generate a value-added social impact. Vancouver City Council has woven social procurement into its Healthy
- [Analysis of federal budget impact on our sector](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/04/21/analysis-of-federal-budget-impact-on-our-sector/) - If you're looking to really go deep on the details of the federal budget tabled this week as it applies to charities and non-profits in Canada, this article from law firm Miller Thomson ought to do it. The article was featured in the company's Social Impact newsletter. The most significant changes are consultation with the
- [2021 budget highlights for our sector from BC and federal governments](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/04/20/2021-budget-highlights-for-our-sector-from-bc-and-federal-governments/) - The federal government’s first budget in two years was tabled Monday, followed by BC Budget day on Tuesday. Here are some highlights for the community social services sector from those two budgets. For our sector, the Supplement to the Estimates is the low-key home to the numbers that matter most to our sector - the
- [On becoming an Active Ally: Anthony Ostler](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/04/01/on-becoming-an-active-ally-anthony-ostler/) - Anthony Ostler is an important name in Board Voice history, having been integral to the work of founding our non-profit and leading our board in its early years in 2009-10. He's now living in Boston, Massachusetts, where he's head of Stakeholder Engagement, Global Marketing at State Street Corporation. He was named State Street Pride Ally
- [One year on: COVID's impact on charitable sector](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/02/18/one-year-on-covids-impact-on-charitable-sector/) - The charitable sector is famously resilient and up for a challenge. But a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to bounce back is being sorely tested. Imagine Canada's latest Sector Monitor report details the strain the sector is under these days. The results are from a November-December 2020 survey of almost 1,100 Canadian charities.
- [StatsCan board diversity survey reveals long road ahead](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/02/12/statscan-board-diversity-survey-reveals-long-road-ahead/) - The latest figures from a recent crowdsourcing survey done by Statistics Canada indicate that Canadian non-profits have a long way to go to ensure diversity on their boards - including even having a written policy on board diversity. StatsCan underlines that crowdsourcing data is not the same as probability-based sampling, and that “no inferences about
- [The 5 Ws of non-profit mergers](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/02/03/the-5-ws-of-non-profit-mergers/) - Vantage Point CEO Alison Brewin shares her thoughts in a post on the Charity Village blog on the five most important considerations to think about when two non-profits are exploring whether they should become one. Brewin notes that everyone from government, funders and community members often wonder out loud why there are quite so many
- [How COVID-19 could transform non-profits: The Conversation](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/02/01/how-covid-19-could-transform-non-profits-the-conversation/) - The pandemic has been far from easy for non-profit organizations, especially those providing critically important social services. But as this piece from The Conversation points out, our organizations' ability to respond, pivot and even expand our services during such a time certainly did highlight the power and creativity of our sector. We've always known we
- [Compensation decreases in 2021 for non-profit senior managers](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/01/25/compensation-decreases-in-2021-for-non-profit-senior-managers/) - Results of Charity Village's annual Canadian Nonprofit Sector Salary and Benefits Study are in, showing an increase in cash compensation across all positions in the charitable sector with the notable exception of senior management. "This group saw a decrease in compensation of 1.4 per cent," the report notes in the executive summary of the report,
- [Federal mandate letters updated](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/01/18/federal-mandate-letters-updated/) - The world has changed in so many ways since the federal government first issued mandate letters to its ministries in December 2019. Those letters have now been updated as of Jan. 15, 2021. Here's the new letter for the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, which has much relevance to our sector. The minister
- [Three new board members for Board Voice](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/11/06/three-new-board-members-for-board-voice/) - A big Board Voice welcome to our newest board members, elected to the Board Voice board at our annual general meeting on Nov. 2. We are pleased to welcome Sandra Micheals, whose home board is the Greater Vancouver Community Services Society. She is replacing outgoing board member Susan Witter as a rep of GVCSS on
- [Board Voice in the news: WorkBC procurement](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/02/05/board-voice-in-the-news-workbc-procurement/) - Board Voice executive director Jody Paterson is featured in this Jan. 31 news story in The Tyee about the many concerns in the non-profit sector over how the procurement process unfolded for WorkBC employment training contracts. Here's an excerpt: ...Paterson said that since 2011, the provincial government has divided the province into fewer and larger
- [WorkBC procurement: Successful proponents, Shane Simpson response](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/02/27/workbc-procurement-successful-proponents-shane-simpson-response/) - Board Voice continues to have many concerns with the WorkBC procurement process, which led to a fairly significant change in employment-training providers throughout BC as regions went from 73 to 45 and a number of high-performing non-profit providers lost their bids. We've had a meeting with Social Development Minister Shane Simpson and have also sent
- [Speech by Claire Trevena - NDP Critic for MCFD](https://boardvoice.ca/2011/12/02/speech-by-claire-trevena-ndp-critic-for-mcfd/) - Click here for the presentation of MLA and MCFD critic Claire Trevena at the Board Voice conference in 2011.
- [Changes at Board Voice](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/05/02/1645-2/) - At a recent strategic planning session in Vancouver, Board Voice elected Doug Hayman as the new Chair of Board Voice,, replacing Michael Davis, who is off to Ottawa and an exciting new job. I was honoured to accept. Our great good wishes to Michael, whose work on behalf of this organization has been outstanding. Many
- [Board Voice is in the House!](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/10/30/2823/) - Many thanks to MLA Linda Reid for her statement in the BC Legislature on Oct. 23 about Board Voice and executive director Jody Paterson. In September we had sent around packages on our There is a Better Way social policy initiative to all 84 MLAs, and upon receiving her package, Linda contacted Jody and said she'd
- [Join us for 2018 conference](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/09/20/conference-2018-up-to-all-of-us/) - Nov. 16-17, 2018, Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, Richmond Join Board Voice for an engaging, enlightening and informative day and a half of workshops, panels, and facilitated conversations that will increase your effectiveness as a board member, provide insights and strategies into the major issues affecting BC’s community social-benefit sector, and offer opportunity to network and share
- [Farewell to former Board Voice coordinator](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/01/10/farewell-to-former-board-voice-coordinator/) - We're sending heartfelt wishes to the many loved ones and animal friends of Christine Thomas, who died this month. Christine worked with Board Voice up until last May as executive coordinator. She was a great help to new executive director Jody Paterson in those early weeks of transition, and Board Voice had many plans to
- [Radio interview with Board Voice ED on procurement concerns](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/04/25/radio-interview-with-board-voice-ed-on-procurement-concerns/) - Board Voice executive director Jody Paterson was interviewed recently by RedEye co-op radio in Vancouver about BC's procurement process and our concerns that it's creating a playing field that tips the provision of vital social care services in the province toward multinational corporations. Listen to that interview here. The WorkBC contracts awarded in December 2018
- [Presentation to BC Fair Wages Commission](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/06/14/presentation-to-bc-fair-wages-commission/) - It has been a busy spring for presenting to governments. Here's the presentation that Board Voice Co-Chair Leslie Welin made to BC's Fair Wages Commission on May 31. Commission members showed much interest in Leslie's presentation, and spent another half-hour with her after she presented asking follow-up questions. Presentation to Fair Wages Commission May 31,
- [Charity Village article on procurement - featuring us!](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/07/02/charity-village-article-on-procurement-featuring-us/) - This Charity Village article carries on a conversation that Board Voice has been working very hard to start and keep going, on the risk of governments inadvertently letting social care slip into the hands of multinationals instead of the community non-profits that invented this work. Board Voice is pleased to be featured so prominently in
- [Presentation to Social Services Forum](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/11/18/presentation-to-social-services-forum/) - Board Voice was honoured to be chosen as one of six panelists to speak at the Provincial Social Services Forum in Richmond on Nov. 15. Board Voice sits at the Provincial Social Services Roundtable, and the intent of this forum was to introduce more people to the work of the roundtable and its goals for
- [Board Voice opinion: COVID illuminates critical role of social services in BC](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/04/29/board-voice-opinion-covid-illuminates-necessity-of-social-services-in-bc/) - Our executive director Jody Paterson writes of the hard lessons of the pandemic in revealing just how important social services are in BC, even though this vital work too often goes unseen. With the chaos of the pandemic fresh in our minds, there hasn't been a better time than now to finally elevate this sector
- [Multinationals increase hold in BC social care](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/12/04/multinationals-increase-hold-in-bc-social-care/) - Unsettling rumours that Victoria-owned GT Hiring was bought by the US multinational Maximus Inc have now been confirmed. This now means that two multinationals have 30 per cent of the provincial funding for employment training in BC, in multi-year contracts that could last up to 2028. As if BC seniors' care facilities ending up owned by
- [So you want to join a board...](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/01/26/so-you-want-to-join-a-board/) - If you're thinking of joining a non-profit board, this checklist on questions to explore about the organization before joining provides a useful list of things you will want to think about when trying to decide whether the board you're intrigued with is effective, connected and making good on its mission. Being a board member for
- [BoardSource: 12 tips for strengthening board governance](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/04/15/boardsource-12-tips-for-strengthening-board-governance/) - We're all feeling overwhelmed with the COVID-19 pandemic, but that's all the more reason to make sure our non-profit boards are functioning well, says BoardSource (an American non-profit that produces great resources for non-profit boards in any country). "Our nonprofits need good boards more than ever, and our boards need their good governance practices to
- [Equity, Power and the Future of the Non-Profit Sector](https://boardvoice.ca/2021/01/04/equity-power-and-the-future-of-the-non-profit-sector/) - How can we create what we need rather than simply work with what we were given? This thought-provoking blog post from the Ontario Non-Profit Network raises some interesting questions about the readiness of our governance models in the non-profit sector for chaging times. "Research shows that there is a big opportunity for real transformation. So, where to
- [Meet the new BC cabinet](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/11/27/meet-the-new-bc-cabinet/) - Premier John Horgan unveiled his new cabinet on Nov. 26, with a number of MLAs now leading ministries relevant to our sector who have personal work backgrounds in community-based social care. We're excited about the creation of a new Parliamentary Secretary position for community development and non-profits, and will be telling you more about that
- [Report finds widespread racism in BC's health care system](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/11/30/report-finds-widespread-racism-in-bcs-health-care-system/) - An investigation that set out to unravel a racist guessing game rumoured to be happening in one BC hospital's emergency ward has revealed massive racism against Indigenous people around the province, both as consumers of health care and as health-care employees. In Plain Sight, a report from BC's former child and youth representative Mary Ellen
- [Five steps to strengthen your board during the pandemic](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/11/18/five-steps-to-strengthen-your-board-during-the-pandemic/) - This great series of five blog posts to help boards stay focused, strong and unified during the extraordinary pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic was written by Brian Saber, a fundraising consultant and president of New York City-based Asking Matters, a web-based company that specializes in training non-profits in how to ask for money, and how
- ["Safe" or suffering? The impact of pandemic measures on seniors](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/11/04/safe-or-suffering-the-impact-of-pandemic-measures-on-seniors/) - BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie released heart-wrenching findings Nov. 3 about the ongoing impact of pandemic social-distancing measures on the lives of 15,000 seniors in long-term care and assisted living facilities. Her findings are a wrenching reminder that a goal of "keeping seniors safe" at all costs is in fact leaving them isolated, denied of
- [Charities wary of social finance](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/10/27/charities-wary-of-social-finance/) - The results are in from an Imagine Canada survey on social finance for charities - and unsurprisingly, it turns out that it's not going to work for a lot of charities. Social finance is basically like getting a loan from someone who likes what you're doing but still wants to be paid back. "The key
- [Non-profit survey provides pandemic baseline](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/10/13/non-profit-survey-provides-pandemic-baseline/) - Back in April, Imagine Canada launched a survey into how the pandemic was impacting charitable and non-profit organizations across the country. Those survey results were released in May and provide a good baseline for our sector at this point in the "new normal" to understand where things have improved and where they've worsened as the
- [Curious about accreditation?](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/10/06/curious-about-accreditation/) - Regardless of whether your non-profit is ready to seek accreditation, this handbook detailing the standards and three levels of accreditation used by Imagine Canada in its accreditation process will help your organization get a sense of the kinds of requirements that matter in certification. In BC, any agency with a contract of $500,000 or more
- [Notes from the Throne Speech](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/09/25/notes-from-the-throne-speech/) - In Canada, every new session of Parliament opens with a Speech from the Throne. The most recent was this week, when Governor General Julie Payette presented the Throne Speech as the Queen’s representative in Canada. Traditionally, the government indicates its priorities for the coming session through this speech. Unsurprisingly, Wednesday's speech confirms the COVID pandemic
- [Provincial pandemic report: Building BC's Recovery Together](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/09/21/provincial-pandemic-report-building-bcs-recovery-together/) - Board Voice was one of the many organizations and individuals who participated in BC government consultations over the summer about how to get our pandemic-impacted province back on the road to recovery. Here's the government's September 2020 report, "Building BC's Recovery Together," summarizing findings from those consultations. As you will see, people essentially identified everything
- [Board Voice virtual AGM](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/09/17/board-voice-virtual-agm/) - Like many non-profits dealing with life in a pandemic, Board Voice will be moving our annual general meeting online for 2020. We're looking forward to connecting with our members at our Sept. 22 AGM, even if it is just via Zoom. In more typical years, our AGM is part of our two-day conference, which brings
- [On the upside: Board Voice members share stories of pandemic innovation](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/07/21/on-the-upside-board-voice-members-share-stories-of-pandemic-innovation/) - There's an upside to everything, even a global pandemic. After Board Voice started hearing of some of the amazing innovation coming out of our sector as we adapted to the tremendous impact of the pandemic, we set out to capture that upside. The result is this fascinating and inspiring collection of thoughts from nine of
- [Tribute in BC legislature for Terry Moist](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/07/16/tribute-in-bc-legislature-for-terry-moist/) - Much thanks to North Island MLA Claire Trevena for this wonderful tribute to the late Terry Moist, a passionate community advocate and former Board Voice board member. Here is Terry's obituary in the Campbell River Mirror. This is the transcript of Trevena's remarks in the BC legislature this week: It is with great sadness that
- [Vital non-profit programs collapse in wait for Ottawa](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/06/26/vital-non-profit-programs-collapse-in-wait-for-ottawa/) - An article by columnist John Ivison in the National Post this week, which we're sharing here so you can have a smooth read of some important words rather than the chopped-up and ad-heavy version that is on the Post's site! By John Ivison La Maison des Collines is a six-bed palliative care home for residents
- [Report: MCFD contract management](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/06/03/report-mcfd-contract-management/) - The provincial government has released the Ernst & Young review of Ministry of Children and Family Development contract processes with its 6,500 contractors around BC. It's an eye-opener - and an opportunity for the social services sector to work with government to improve the process to the benefit of all. The review looked at how
- [Update: Social Services Health & Safety Council](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/05/26/update-social-services-health-safety-council/) - BC's new Community Social Services Health and Safety Council is now operational, building on the work of a pilot project focused on reducing significant injury rates in the social services sector. It's the first of its kind in Canada. Our sector contributes approximately $10 million per year to WorkSafeBC in assessment (insurance) premiums. As increasing
- [Ontario covid stats finds up to 3x higher death rate in for-profit long-term care](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/05/07/ontario-covid-stats-finds-up-to-3x-higher-death-rate-in-for-profit-long-term-care/) - The Ontario Health Authority has released an analysis of deaths due to the coronavirus at Ontario long-term care homes, and how they compare at for-profit facilities, non-profit facilities, and publicly owned (government-run) facilities. It's an eye-opener, finding that deaths were up to three times higher in the for-profit facilities. The data tracks 1,057 deaths -
- [Give charities federal relief now for COVID impact: CCPA](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/04/02/give-charities-federal-relief-now-ccpa/) - The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives makes a case here for why charities should immediately be eligible for the new federal wage subsidy program that will cover 75 per cent of wages for employers hit by the COVID-19 crisis, specifically those who’ve seen a 30 per cent drop in revenues compared to this time last
- [Imagine Canada asks for $8 billion COVID-19 response package from government](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/03/26/imagine-canada-asks-for-8-billion-covid-19-response-package-from-government/) - Nobody needs to tell the charitable sector that COVID-19 is a hard, hard hit. Whether the issue is trying to maintain services during a global pandemic or having to cancel vital fundraisers, this one's coming at us from all directions - and will continue to have a big impact on our services and financial health
- [Budget 2020: The lowdown for our sector](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/02/19/budget-2020-the-lowdown-for-our-sector/) - Budget 2020 was presented Feb. 18 by Finance Minister Carole James. Coming in the third year of a three-year plan, it's a "no surprises" budget. Recruitment and retention in the community social services sector was singled out in budget documents. There are no details yet, but the budget notes “new funding to support recruitment and
- [Conference 2019](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/11/10/conference-2019/) - We marked our 10th anniversary in 2019, and our Nov 1-2 conference at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University campus in Richmond was a great way to celebrate. We were delighted to have Kwantlen joining us as a Board Voice partner and Charity Village joining us as sponsor for the conference, “Circles of Engagement.” Find bios of our 2019 presenters here.
- [In the news: Why profit & social care don't mix](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/02/10/in-the-news-why-profit-social-care-dont-mix/) - "The system is broken when for-profit operators get to keep the money when they don't deliver the long-term care the government pays them to provide. And that's just one example of what's going wrong. " Vancouver Sun opinion writer Daphne Bramham weighs in on BC Seniors' Representative Isobel Mackenzie's February 2020 report, "A Billion Reasons
- [Still wondering if non-profit is better?](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/02/04/still-wondering-if-non-profit-is-better/) - Once upon a time, all social care belonged to community-based non-profits and charitable organizations, which invented social services as a means of helping citizens in need. Take a look at this Feb. 4 news release from the Office of the Seniors Advocate in BC to remind yourself why non-profits remain the absolute gold standard for
- [Are you a lobbyist?](https://boardvoice.ca/2020/01/26/are-you-a-lobbyist/) - Many more of us will be saying yes to that after May 4, when provincial policy changes around which organizations are required to report monthly on their efforts to influence the BC government. That’s the date when the new Lobbyists Transparency Regulations take effect. Most non-profits to this point haven’t had to register, because their
- [Social services exempt from trade agreements: CCPA](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/10/04/social-services-exempt-from-trade-agreements-ccpa/) - Are our governments’ hands tied by international trade agreements when they put social-care services out to bid? That was a question we really wanted the answer to at Board Voice, as that would be a complicating factor in working toward a better procurement process for BC’s non-profits and the communities we serve. So we reached
- [Evaluation and the social services sector: Imagine Canada report](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/09/18/evaluation-and-the-social-services-sector-imagine-canada-report/) - There's much to reflect on in Imagine Canada's new series of reports on evaluation in the Canadian non-profit sector. Social services was one of four sectors surveyed. (Interesting fact: With 15,200 social service non-profits active in Canada, we're the second-largest sub-sector next to religious organizations.) Each of the short reports explores a specific sub-sector and
- [Why BC Needs a Framework for Well-being](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/11/24/why-bc-needs-a-framework-for-well-being/) - Published in the Vancouver Sun on Thursday, November 24, 2016 By Doug Hayman It wouldn’t be tough for most of us to put together a list of problems people are struggling with in BC. Child poverty, long waits for vital services,...click here to read more Doug Hayman is the Chair and former Executive Coordinator of
- [Our Place Model](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/02/04/our-place-model/) - The 'Our Place' model is "place-based, which means programs and services are holistic in nature and tailored to meet the unique needs of the neighbourhoods being served." The coalition grew out of an almost tragic situation where authorities prevented a suicide pact of "24 mainly Indigenous youth aged 13 to 15." Using the idea of
- [Our Collective Responsibility](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/02/22/our-collective-responsibility/) - In the Vancouver Sun, Ian Mulgrew states that "any honest conversation about child welfare in B.C., especially around aboriginal children, needs to include our collective responsibility." We have 7100 children in care in BC. Aboriginal children make up more than half of that number. Adoption could be a great solution for many of the children
- [Life in BC Snapshot](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/03/09/life-in-bc-snapshot/) - The Federation of Social Services of BC (FCSSBC) has recently expanded its series: Life in BC Snapshot: 2017. Begun in 2015, this project looked at several critical aspects of social care in BC and found that outcomes for people did not measure up in "day-to-day life that has been overlooked by a government focused on economic
- [Toward a B.C. framework for well-being](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/03/16/toward-a-b-c-framework-for-well-being/) - In today's Victoria Times Colonist, Trevor Hancock argues in favour of a framework for wellbeing in BC. Check it out here.
- [In the news: Low-Wage Redress goes to unionized workers only](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/04/11/in-the-news-low-wage-redress-goes-to-unionized-workers-only/) - The Tyee's Andrew MacLeod continues to write on issues important to our sector - one of the few BC journalists taking these issues on. Here he is in today's Tyee writing about the stunning decision to use the $40 million Low Wage Redress Fund to benefit only unionized workers. In our sector, there are roughly
- [Board Voice presents to Senate Special Committee](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/04/09/board-voice-presents-to-senate-special-committee/) - Board Voice was delighted to receive an invitation this month to present to the Senate Special Committee on the Charitable Sector. Our co-chair Terry Anne Boyles was able to attend the presentation day in Ottawa on April 8. Here's the text of the presentation, which the Senate asked to be focused on volunteerism. Presentation to
- [Cridge Centre: ICBC changes pose serious risk to brain injury survivors](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/04/02/cridge-centre-icbc-changes-pose-serious-risk-to-brain-injury-survivors/) - Our member organization Cridge Centre for the Family issued a news release today on the significant impact that some of the ICBC policy changes this week will have on survivors of brain injury. April 2, 2019 Online-only ICBC appeals shut out survivors of brain injury Changes announced to ICBC policy this week will come at
- [Wage inequity: Standing still for 30 years](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/04/01/wage-inequity-standing-still-for-30-years/) - A few highlights from the BC newspaper archives to remind us that wage inequity in the community social services sector has a LONG history. Board Voice hopes you’ll find reasons to use some of this history in making your arguments for why we are way, way past needing to resolve this issue. It also provides
- [Today's Question Period: The return of home support to health authorities](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/03/26/todays-question-period-the-return-of-home-support-to-health-authorities/) - For those seeking more understanding of the decision to return home support services to the provincial government's health authorities, this morning's Question Period is a must-read. It's important for all of us to see how these issues that affect our sector play out at the political level, and how we can be a part of
- [Opinion piece on BC non-profit sector: You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/03/24/opinion-piece-on-bc-non-profit-sector-you-dont-know-what-youve-got-til-its-gone/) - Here's our executive director Jody Paterson writing an opinion piece in the Vancouver Sun on just how much is at risk in social care when we neglect to value the non-profit community-based organizations that do this work so well. By Jody Paterson I work in the non-profit community social-services sector. If your eyes glazed over when
- [Getting heard: Green Party raises WorkBC contracts in House](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/03/05/getting-heard-green-party-raises-workbc-contracts-in-house/) - Board Voice and other allies who have raised major concerns with the Work BC procurement process continue to be heard by BC political leaders. Here's Green Party leader Andrew Weaver bringing up the issue in Question Period yesterday (March 4) after connecting with one of our member organizations about the worrying developments evident in this
- [Reducing Elder Abuse in BC: May 2-3 conference details](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/02/27/reducing-elder-abuse-in-bc-may-2-3-conference-details/) - Our member agency the BC Association of Community Response Networks has a great conference coming up May 2-3 in Richmond, "Reducing Elder Abuse in BC: Together In Action." Check out the lineup of speakers and presentations below. The conference brings together leaders in the field, local project representatives and front-line experts from non-profits, police services,
- [Highlights: BC Budget 2019](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/02/20/highlights-bc-budget-2019/) - Thank you to our allies at the Federation of Community Social Services of BC, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Surrey Board of Trade for their quick analysis of BC Budget 2019 this week. As the CCPA notes in its analysis, the government is clearly taking action to reduce poverty, homelessness and growing
- [Board Voice meets with Hon. Shane Simpson re: WorkBC procurement](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/01/24/board-voice-meets-with-hon-shane-simpson-re-workbc-procurement/) - Board Voice executive director Jody Paterson was invited by the Hon. Shane Simpson to meet Jan. 23 with the minister and the ADM in charge of the recent WorkBC procurement process, Chris Brown. Board Voice has many concerns about the procurement process for these contracts. The concept of a "level playing field" for the bids
- [Death of director a big loss to Vernon community](https://boardvoice.ca/2019/01/15/death-of-director-a-big-loss-to-vernon-community/) - The Okanagan has lost a community champion with the death of Board Voice director Ron Birch on Jan. 9 in Vernon. Ron has been with Board Voice from our inception, a founding director and social-care enthusiast who had just begun his fourth three-year term with Board Voice. He represented our member organization North Okanagan Youth
- [Alex Nelson keynote address: Board Voice Conference 2018](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/11/21/alex-nelson-keynote-address-board-voice-conference-2018/) - Many thanks to Alex Nelson for his powerful keynote address at the Board Voice conference in Richmond on Nov. 16. Here is a short video that we've made that compiles excerpts of his presentation, including Alex performing a song written by his late brother Frank Nelson. Alex is a member of the Musgamagwx Dzawada’enuwx First
- [Board Voice messages were heard in SSC consultations](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/11/16/board-voice-was-heard-in-ssc-consultations/) - Board Voice was delighted to see budget recommendations from the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Governance that came out Nov. 14. The all-party committee held online consultations and hearings around the province this fall to gather input for Budget 2019. Board Voice participated, and we were definitely heard based on committee comments in the report.
- [Lack of funding cuts deeply into family support program](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/11/10/lack-of-funding-cuts-deeply-into-family-support-program/) - Unsettling news from our member organization, the BC Schizophrenia Society, which will be significantly reducing its family support program in the Fraser Valley at the end of November 2018. The program had been funded by the Fraser Health Authority up until October 2017, and then kept going for another year through short-term funding cobbled together
- [CRA amends controversial 'political activity' clause](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/10/30/cra-amends-controversial-political-activity-clause/) - The federal government has tabled planned changes to the Income Tax Act, including amendments that will allow charities to engage in advocacy and programs to influence public policy without risking their charitable status. The changes follow controversy about past Canada Revenue Agency audits that targeted charities engaged in advocacy and public awareness campaigns on issues
- [Board Voice written submission: Select Standing Committee on Finance and Governance, October 2018](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/10/01/board-voice-written-submission-select-standing-committee-on-finance-and-governance-october-2018/) - Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services Written Submission Template This template is provided as a guide to individuals and organizations making a submission to the annual budget consultation. Please adapt as needed for your submission. Name: Jody Paterson Organization (if applicable): Board Voice Society of BC Contact Information: jpaterson@boardvoice.ca Brief Summary or Rationale
- [Poverty reduction legislation lacks targets](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/10/04/poverty-reduction-legislation-lacks-targets/) - Here's the media release from the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition this week noting the urgent need to set timelines and targets for the government's newly introduced poverty reduction legislation, and to include prevention in any plan. The government has committed to have a plan in place by March 2019. Board Voice is working with our
- [Get heard! More Select Standing Committee details](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/09/20/get-heard-select-standing-committee-dates/) - Community non-profits throughout BC have their annual chance to provide input to the provincial government on Budget 2019. Don't miss this opportunity! The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Governance began the first of 14 community consultations this week, and you'll need to book soon if you hope to get a spot. If the committee
- [Funding: Help your municipality become age-friendly](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/09/10/funding-help-your-municipality-become-age-friendly/) - The BC government has just announced an additional $500,000 in age-friendly grants to municipal governments - a perfect time for Board Voice members to put forward ideas to their local governments for working with them in making our communities more welcoming for older adults. Local governments have until Friday, Nov. 2 to submit proposals to
- [Get your voice heard for Budget 2019](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/08/30/get-your-voice-heard-for-budget-2019/) - Online registration for public submissions to BC's Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government opens Friday, Sept. 7. Don't miss your chance to help shape Budget 2019 - visit the Finance Committee website for information on how to get your voice heard. Nothing is better than a face-to-face presentation in the mind of Board Voice,
- [Opinion: Foundry is model for social policy planning](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/08/15/opinion-foundry-is-model-for-social-policy-planning/) - An opinion piece by Board Voice co-chair Leslie Welin and community lead Terry Moist appeared in the Vancouver Sun on Aug. 11. The piece highlighted how the province-wide Foundry initiative presents a model and an opportunity to create a social policy strategy for all of BC. An excerpt: Social needs tend to pile on top
- [Kelowna campaign for youth recovery beds](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/08/10/kelowna-campaign-for-youth-recovery-beds/) - Our member organization The Bridge Youth and Family Services in Kelowna has embarked on an ambitious and important campaign in 2018 to raise $10 million for a youth recovery house. Watch their powerful video here to see why this campaign matters: BC has a scarce 50 beds for youth seeking help with alcohol and substance
- [Charlesworth an inspired choice for BC child/youth rep](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/07/17/new-child-rep-an-inspired-choice/) - July 17, 2018 It's heartening news to everyone with a passion for better social health and more opportunity and connection for BC children and youth to see that community-sector champion Jennifer Charlesworth has been unanimously endorsed to become BC's next Representative for Children and Youth. Jennifer has a great deal of depth and breadth of
- [Poverty reduction: A-B-C](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/07/18/poverty-reduction-a-b-c/) - July 18, 2018 Add your voice to BC Poverty Reduction Coalition efforts to create a better life for the more than half a million British Columbians living in poverty. As the coalition notes in its action plan, reducing poverty is as easy as ABC: We need a strategy that is Accountable, Bold and Comprehensive. The
- [BC to research & test basic income](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/07/04/bc-to-research-test-basic-income/) - Discussions of the need to replace BC's income-assistance system with a "living wage" date back decades, but the BC government will be moving from talk to action this summer with a plan to research and pilot a basic wage. The work is the result of an agreement struck in the runup to the 2017 election
- [Social innovation in action](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/06/21/social-innovation-in-action/) - An open house June 20 at the new Victoria Social Innovation Centre provided a welcome glimpse of social policy planning at the community level. Three Greater Victoria community non-profits have now moved into shared space in a 14,000-square-foot building that will remain a home for such non-profits long into the future. More local non-profits who
- [Message from executive director](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/05/17/message-from-our-new-executive-director/) - Hello to Board Voice members! I wanted to introduce myself as the new executive director of Board Voice. My name is Jody Paterson, and I’ll be working hard to fulfill Board Voice’s role in supporting the volunteer boards of BC non-profits dedicated to providing community social services. A key aspect of Board Voice is to
- [Funding opportunity: Island Health community wellness grants](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/05/01/funding-opportunity-island-health-community-wellness-grants/) - Great 2018/19 project opportunity for our Vancouver Island members, all of which are non-profits dedicated to services that strengthen and enhance community wellbeing. Island Health community wellness grants of up to $150,000 are available in each of four Island regions: Comox Valley north; Port Alberni west; Cowichan Valley, Saanich and the Gulf Islands; and Greater
- [Impact of Employer Health Tax is now](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/05/11/msp-premiums-and-the-employer-health-tax/) - March 7, 2018 To: The Honourable Carole James, Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier Dear Minister: We are writing to express the deep concern of Board Voice’s member Boards with respect to the impact of the new Employer Health Tax on January 1, 2019. While we understand that you have allowed for the next several
- [Update: Employer Health Tax](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/05/16/update-employer-health-tax/) - For those of us intently following the issue of the pending Employer Health Tax, there was encouraging news from the legislature this week. Finance Minister Carole James was asked by the Opposition about non-profits and the EHT, based on Board Voice's submission to her and its letter to the editor in the Victoria Times Colonist.
- [Letter to editor: Employer Health Tax](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/05/12/letter-to-editor-employer-health-tax/) - Board Voice continues to urge the provincial government to understand the implications of the coming Employer Health Tax on the non-profit sector. Our letter to the editor by Board Voice co-chairs Leslie Welin and Terry Anne Boyles appeared May 12 in the Victoria Times Colonist. Read it here, or go to the link to the letter
- [Poverty Reduction Strategy Meetings Begin](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/01/11/poverty-reduction-strategy-meetings-begin/) - The BC Poverty Reduction Strategy Consultation's 2018 meetings began in January in Prince Rupert. Find a list of the communities with dates and locations here. For more information about poverty check out the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition. Board Voice has been calling for a social policy framework through our initiative There is a Better Way:
- [BC Society Act Changes](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/02/17/bc-society-act-changes/) - The Government of BC passed new legislation governing societies that came into effect Nov. 28, 2016. All 27,000 non-profit societies must be in compliance by November 2018. Here are the regulations and resources relevant to this change from the Law For Non-Profits website.
- [Ripple Effects from Community Boards in Action](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/09/29/ripple-effects-from-community-boards-in-action/) - Board Voice received a grant in 2013 from the Vancouver Foundation to help bring community social service agency boards of directors together to share experiences and improved overall governance skills for members. Boards of directors in many communities have held joint events to focus on skills development. In the South Cariboo, these activities have continued
- [Board Voice appoints Jody Paterson as Executive Director](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/04/30/the-board-of-directors-of-board-voice-announces-the-appointment-of-jody-paterson-as-executive-director/) - We are pleased to announce the appointment of the Society’s new Executive Director, Jody Paterson, effective May 1, 2018. Jody is a communications specialist, journalist, former not-for-profit executive director and community advocate. She values listening to community and partner voices to help organizations and communities create successful strategies and projects. We look forward to benefiting
- [Lieutenant-Governor Janet Austin a community champion](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/04/03/congratulations-to-lieutenant-governor-designate/) - Board Voice co-chairs Terry Anne Boyles and Leslie Welin wrote the following letter to BC's new Lieutenant Governor, Janet Austin, upon her appointment in spring 2018. She gave us some wonderfully wise words when we embarked on our campaign for a social policy framework for BC. On behalf of Board Voice Society of British Columbia,
- [The BC Social Reports: a Concept](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/06/08/the-bc-social-reports-a-concept/) - What is measured matters. And conversely, what is not measured rarely gets the attention or resources to correct it. With this in mind, BoardVoice is proposing that the Community Social Service sector and others work together to aggregate available data into a single point annual report to help draw attention to some of BC’s most
- [Innovative Proposal for Riverview Lands](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/02/27/innovative-proposal-for-riverview-lands/) - The Riverview Intentional Community Society has launched a proposal that would see a mix of housing for people living with mental illness and market rate housing. An 'intentional community' would see coffee shops, art centres and other amenities, along with medical staff to help support those living with mental illness. The society argues that this kind
- [Imagine Canada's Open Letter to the Prime Minister](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/02/22/imagine-canadas-open-letter-to-the-prime-minister/) - Please check out this open letter, from Imagine Canada's Bruce MacDonald, about the government's progress in meeting the policy goals contained in the mandate letters. MacDonald notes that modernizing the legal and regulatory framework within which charities operate is critically important as [l]imits on charities and nonprofits income-generating and investment activities have been identified as a
- [Myriad of Social Problems](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/02/01/myriad-of-social-problems/) - Today is Let's Talk Day - a day set aside for individuals to talk about their mental health issues. Reducing the stigma around mental health is the primary goal of the campaign. A report in the Richmond News today addresses the new face of homelessness in the city: seniors and families. The article tells the
- [Penticton Youth Engagement Strategy Gets a Building](https://boardvoice.ca/2018/01/19/penticton-youth-engagement-strategy-gets-a-building/) - Earlier this week, the Youth Engagement Strategy (YES) Project received the keys to their new building in Penticton. The YES Project, initiated by the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan and the Similkameen in response to a bequest directed at increasing youth self-esteem, received the keys to their new building. The Community Foundation, along with
- [There is a Better Way: A BC Framework for Wellbeing Op-Ed in Vancouver Sun](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/12/19/there-is-a-better-way-a-bc-framework-for-wellbeing-op-ed-in-vancouver-sun/) - The Vancouver Sun has published a new op-ed by past Board Voice Chair, Doug Hayman. Please check out the article here. You can download the report here.
- [Poverty Reduction Strategy Community Schedule](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/12/15/poverty-reduction-strategy-community-schedule/) - The government's Poverty Reduction Strategy Committee will be travelling across the province in early 2018 to gather information from citizens. Here is the schedule for early 2018: Prince Rupert: Thursday, Jan. 11 Terrace / Kitimat: Friday, Jan. 12 Smithers: Saturday, Jan. 13 Kamloops: Thursday, Jan. 18 Kelowna: Friday, Jan. 19 Nanaimo: Monday, Jan. 22 Port Alberni: Tuesday, Jan.
- [Report on the Opioid Crisis](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/12/14/report-on-the-opioid-crisis/) - The Central City Foundation released a report this week on the toll of the opioid epidemic on front-line workers in Vancouver. As Mebrat Beyene from the Wish Drop in Centre, noted that "Our staff are doing the real frontline work every single day. They are there before the first responders, and they are there after
- [Happy Holidays](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/12/12/happy-holidays-3/)
- [Fair Wages Commission](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/12/02/fair-wages-commission/) - In response to the province's Fair Wage Commission, Board Voice's new Co-Chair's, Leslie Welin and Terry Anne Boyles have developed a submission: Board Voice Fair Wages Commission Submission. We would like to encourage you to submit your strategic advice to the Fair Wages Commission based on the issues and needs of your individual agencies. The
- [There is a Better Way: A BC Framework for Wellbeing Report Release](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/11/16/there-is-a-better-way-a-bc-framework-for-wellbeing-report-release/) - For immediate release There is a Better Way: A BC Framework for Wellbeing Project Report Nov. 17, 2017 Ask British Columbians how they define wellbeing, and their answers turn out to be strikingly similar no matter where they live in the province. The non-profit Board Voice Society of BC released a report today on
- [8th Annual Conference Updates](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/11/03/8th-annual-conference-updates/) - The Board Voice conference committee is pleased to announce that Health Minister Adrian Dix will be speaking at our upcoming conference. We are very excited that Minister Dix has made time to speak to our group of board governors. We are also pleased to announce that former Board Voice Chair, Michael Davis (Principal, PublicAffair), will lead
- [Youth Advocating for Change in BC](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/10/26/youth-advocating-for-change-in-bc/) - Yesterday, First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition held a rally and met with representatives of the new NDP government in Victoria. Former youth in care and organizer, Dylan Cohen who is 22 and a former youth in care, stated that he felt heard in the meeting that included the new MCFD Minister -
- [New Member: Cowichan Hospice Society](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/10/06/new-member-cowichan-hospice-society/) - We would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest member: Cowichan Hospice Society. Located in Duncan, the Cowichan Hospice Society's mission: We are a dedicated, compassionate, client-centered team collaborating to offer accessible, high quality, end-of-life care that meets the physical, spiritual, emotional, and social needs of our clients in a respectful and caring
- [Register for the Annual Board Voice Conference: When Innovation Meets Action](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/09/07/register-for-the-annual-board-voice-conference-when-innovation-meets-action/) - Board Voice would like to welcome everyone to attend our 8th Annual Conference and AGM - November 17th and 18th. We have some excellent speakers, panels and guests lined up to inform and engage with you: Friday morning keynote - Engage with Kelly Lendsay, one of Canada’s foremost innovators of Indigenous social and economic inclusion, corporate
- [Save the Date - November 17 and 18](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/08/31/save-the-date-november-17-and-18/) - The upcoming 8th Annual Board Voice Conference and AGM will be held on November 17 and 18, 2017. We have an amazing line up of speakers addressing issues from board governance to the opioid crisis. We know that this event is not to be missed! Fundraising is a critical task for all non-profits. Sometimes it seems
- [Board Voice 8th Annual Conference and AGM](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/08/23/board-voice-8th-annual-conference-and-agm/) - We have been working hard to bring you one of our best conferences. Over the next bit, we will be posting descriptions of the workshops and some of the keynote presenters. We hope you will save the date: November 17 and 18 at the Coast Plaza Hotel, 1763 Comox St, Vancouver, BC. We will be releasing
- [Complex problems need robust solutions](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/08/18/complex-problems-need-robust-solutions/) - In a recent column in the Victoria Times Colonist, Trevor Hancock notes that some of the new government's policies are welcome. However, Hancock notes that "[p]overty is one of the most important contributors to ill health and premature death." Poverty in childhood however is especially pernicious as it can "set children up for a lifetime
- [Senate Charitable Sector Review](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/06/22/senate-charitable-sector-review/) - Senator Terry Mercer has tabled a motion in the Senate that would allow the Senate to from a Special Committee that would determine the state of the charitable sector in Canada. Imagine Canada has created some sample letters, in English and French, to assist the sector in advocating for this motion. There is also a
- [BC Chamber of Commerce Approves Framework Policy](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/06/13/bc-chamber-of-commerce-approves-framework-policy/) - On May 27, 2017, another milestone was reached in the support for a made in BC social policy framework. At the annual BC Chamber of Commerce Conference and AGM, the following motion was put forward: “That the provincial government implement a framework to deal with social issues similar to that of the BC Jobs Plan
- [How to get the most out of your Board Voice Membership](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/05/30/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-board-voice-membership/) - Board Voice is a unique organization: we are the only group dedicated to supporting the board members of community benefit organizations. We do this in three main ways: advocacy, governance and networking. Here are some suggestions for getting the most out of your Board Voice membership: Email: Our emails are sent to the ED, voting representative and alternate
- [The Value of Coordinated Care](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/05/25/the-value-of-coordinated-care/) - Marcus Beg lives in a shed on the deck of his daughter's grandmother, Marguerite MacDougall. Beg has undiagnosed mental health issues. His erratic and sometimes threatening behaviour has landed him in jail where he is often in solitary confinement as his behaviour upsets other inmates. According to Katie DeRosa, Beg's life has been a cycle of
- [New Resource on Board Voice Website](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/05/10/new-resource-on-board-voice-website/) - We are pleased to announce that a new section has been created on our website. We have published a page of links to reputable resources for boards of directors. We hope that you find this useful. If you have any other suggestions please let us know by emailing Christine. Many thanks to Meghan Currie, one
- [Plan-Y in Pemberton](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/05/02/plan-y-in-pemberton/) - Part of a robust social policy framework is ensuring that citizens have access to the services they need, delivered in a relevant manner. Service delivery looks very different depending upon who you are and where you live in our vast province. Youth, in particular, will learn about and access services in a different way. Plan-Y
- [Child Poverty](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/04/13/child-poverty/) - Like homelessness, child poverty is another multi-faceted social issue that cuts across many different governmental ministries. While politicians agree that child poverty should be eradicated, none of them seem to be able to tackle the problem in any meaningful way. In a column in the Times Colonist, Trevor Hancock states that BC has "levels of
- [The True Cost of Inadequate Housing](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/03/30/the-true-cost-of-inadequate-housing/) - Precarious housing is one of the most complex social issues facing our province. It cuts across all 3 levels of government and it is very expensive to address properly. If there is one issue that is crying out for social policy framework - it's housing. The Province is running a series this week on the working
- [Investments in social infrastructure made without vision, goals or planning](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/03/15/investments-in-social-infrastructure-made-without-vision-goals-or-planning/) - Check out Board Voice's latest opinion piece in the Vancouver Sun!
- [Crisis of Homelessness](https://boardvoice.ca/2017/03/02/1871/) - Nicole Read, mayor of Maple Ridge, says that homelessness has reached crisis levels in the province. She argues that "simply spending money" is not going to solve the problem. She further states that "there needs to be a plan" that uses evidence-based decision making to improve outcomes. Homelessness is a complex, intersectional issue that exists
- [Happy Holidays](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/12/16/happy-holidays-2/) - Board Voice wishes all of you a happy and peaceful holiday season and a great new year! See you in 2017!
- [Integrated Services for Youth](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/12/14/integrated-services-for-youth/) - At our 2016 Conference and AGM, Board Voice featured a workshop by Dr. Steve Mathias, the Executive Director of the BC Integrated Services for Youth Initiative (BCISYI). In his workshop, Dr. Mathias, presented the model of integrated services for youth. This model exemplifies how social policy could operate under a social policy or wellness framework.
- [Board Voice 7th Annual Conference/AGM Wrap up](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/12/02/board-voice-7th-annual-conferenceagm-wrap-up/) - On behalf of the Board Voice Board of Directors, I would like to thank all of our presenters and conference participants for making this year’s event truly memorable. Conference Our first presenters came from Understanding the Village. This experiential workshop is put on by four Aboriginal Elders and a Canadian. The journey begins at pre-contact
- [Early-Bird Rate Extension](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/11/07/early-bird-rate-extension/) - We are happy to tell you that we extended Early Bird prices until Monday, November 14, 2016. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of our workshops: Find out what coordinated and integrated service looks like on the ground from Dr. Steve Mathias who is the Executive Director of the BCIYSI, a
- [Register now for the 7th Annual Board Voice Conference](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/10/18/register-now-for-the-7th-annual-board-voice-conference/) - We have talked a great deal about our main presentation this year, Understanding the Village, which we are very excited to bring to you. We also have a great line up of workshops to round out Friday: What are the Challenges Facing Families in BC What are the challenges facing families throughout the province of
- [7th Annual Board Voice Society of BC Conference & AGM](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/09/29/7th-annual-board-voice-society-of-bc-conference-agm/) - It's that time of year again! The registration for our annual conference and AGM is up. The board of directors is very excited about this year's line up. The main session is going to be Understanding the Village. This workshop explores the effects of government policy on Canada's Aboriginal peoples. The impact of Residential Schools and assimilationist
- [Think Piece](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/09/16/think-piece/) - Here is a list for you to reflect upon: A collective and unified voice for local governors Strength in numbers Frustrations of too few resources and too little authority Increasing obligations Sound familiar? Not only are these the challenges board directors of community benefit organizations face in British Columbia, but they are also the
- [Save the Date!](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/09/14/save-the-date/) - Board Voice's 8th Annual conference is just around the corner. This year's conference will be held on November 25 and 26, 2016 at the lovely Coast Plaza Hotel in the heart of Vancouver. This year's conference will be a bit different. We are bringing the amazing, transformative program called Understanding the Village. This experiential presentation
- [Conference Board of Canada on Mental Health](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/09/06/conference-board-of-canada-on-mental-health/) - A new report, from the Conference Board of Canada, on the costs of depression and anxiety to the Canadian economy. Get the report here. Our mailing address has changed! Please note the new one: Board Voice 102 – 739 Kings Road Victoria, BC V8T 1W4
- [Disappointing Disability Benefit Increase](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/08/23/disappointing-disability-benefit-increase/) - On September 1, the benefit rates for people with disabilities will increase by a paltry $77 per month. However, as Paul Willocks argues in The Tyee, this increase would not even keep up with inflation. When you add in the fact that persons with disabilities will now have to pay $52 a month for bus pass
- [Investment in People Pays Dividends](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/08/19/investment-in-people-pays-dividends/) - In an opinion piece, in the Victoria Times Colonist, Dr. Ryan Meili and James Hughes argue that investment in social spending does not adversely affect economic growth. Citing a study done in 15 European countries showed that for every dollar spent on education and health can result in a return of 1.7 times. Currently, we
- [Change](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/08/05/1683-2/) - Trevor Hancock shares a timely metaphor regarding change. Over the past couple of years, people have seen a lot of information on this web site about a vision of a BC in which all British Columbians experience a high quality of life and are able to contribute to the best of their abilities. To get
- [BC Integrated Youth Services Initiative](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/08/04/bc-integrated-youth-services-initiative/) - Congratulations to the Innerchange Foundation, Graham Boeckh Foundation, St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and the Ministry of Health for coming up with a better way for delivering youth services. A better way is exactly what the directors of Board Voice think of the recently announced provincial Integrated Youth Services Initiative projects.
- [Visions of a Healthy Community](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/07/28/visions-of-a-healthy-community/) - Last week I described what people talked about when they reflected on their experience of a healthy community. This week I describe what they drew in small groups after envisioning a healthy community. While these drawings appear childlike in their simplicity and lack of sophistication, they are actually quite profound. Both what they include and
- [Trevor Hancock: Poverty Serious Detriment to Public Health](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/07/19/trevor-hancock-poverty-serious-detriment-to-public-health/) - Dr. Trevor Hancock will be familiar to many of our members. In a recent column in the Times Colonist, he discusses the very real consequences of poverty to public health. Dr. Hancock notes that while close to 10% of the population of BC lives in poverty (along with 1 in 5 children) BC is the
- [Cowichan Board Meets Board](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/06/20/cowichan-board-meets-board-2/) - On May 17th, thirty board directors, executive directors, municipal politicians and other interested parties gathered in Duncan for our sixteenth Board Meets Board conversation. This time, the gathering was to celebrate some of the innovative successes achieved by four Cowichan Valley agencies, under the title “Weaving the Threads: When Social Innovation Meets Economic Development”. After
- [Craig East – Celebrated by Business in Vancouver](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/06/06/craig-east-celebrated-by-business-in-vancouver/) - Board Voice’s Treasurer and Fundraiser, extraordinaire, has been recognized by Business in Vancouver for his outstanding skills as the Chief Financial Officer for Primex Manufacturing Ltd. The article states that East’s acumen, as a financial steward at Primex, as the reason the company is enjoying its largest ever profits after being hammered in the economic
- [Board Voice Society of BC releases SFU School of Public Policy Paper: “Building the Case for an Explicit Social Policy Framework in British Columbia”](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/06/02/board-voice-society-of-bc-releases-sfu-school-of-public-policy-paper-building-the-case-for-an-explicit-social-policy-framework-in-british-columbia/) - June 2, 2016 For Immediate Release Board Voice Society of BC releases SFU School of Public Policy Paper: “Building the Case for an Explicit Social Policy Framework in British Columbia” Vancouver, BC - In work that extends the findings of "Making the Case: A Social Policy Framework for BC," SFU Public Policy students Adam Finch,
- [2015 Conference Review & Presentations](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/03/23/2015-conference-review-presentations/) - We apologize for our tardiness in getting the conference review up on the website. We wanted to make sure that we had all of the presentations so that we could pass them on to you! Our 2015 Conference was held over November 27 and 28th. We had a traditional First Nations opening and welcoming
- [Farewell to Michael Davis](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/03/22/farewell-to-michael-davis/) - It is with heavy hearts that the Board Voice Board of Directors says good-bye to Michael Davis. Michael has accepted a new job with the federal government as Director of Communications for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Michael first joined Board Voice in late 2012 at the Annual General Meeting and
- [Social Worker Week](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/03/14/social-worker-week/) - It’s Social Worker Week in BC. Board Voice has many community benefit organizations that employ social workers across the province. We would like to take this opportunity to recognized and thank social workers who do such important work in our province. Whether they work with children, families, seniors and/or other marginalized populations, life would be
- [Personal Reflection](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/02/04/personal-reflection/) - As the work of community benefit organizations becomes more complex and diverse, it can be easy to get caught up in going from meeting to meeting and focusing on action. At the same time, I think it is important to take a deep breath and reflect upon what is happening; how things connect to my
- [Charities and Political Activity](https://boardvoice.ca/2016/02/02/charities-and-political-activity/) - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given direction to his new Revenue Minister, Diane Lebouthillier, with regard to Canadian charities and political activity. Not only has he disbanded the former government’s ‘anti-charity hit squad’ that focused on charities and political activity that saw certain charities targeted for audits but he has asked for a modernization of
- [Happy Holidays](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/12/23/happy-holidays/) - It’s that time of year again when we look to those around us to give thanks and express our appreciation. Board Voice would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you: our members. Without you and your passion for the work you do in your agencies and organizations, we would not exist. Thank
- [We need your help](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/12/10/we-need-your-help/) - Board members and CEOs—time to tell the government we have no more fat to trim. The Federation of Community Social Services of BC is doing a survey of agencies to provide information they can use in advocating on your behalf. See the letter below and encourage your ED/CEO to fill out the survey. Dear
- [Introducing the new Board Voice Board of Directors](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/12/07/introducing-the-new-board-voice-board-of-directors/) - At our recent conference (a post will be coming on this soon) and AGM, the members of Board Voice elected our new Board of Directors. We would like to welcome our new board members: Doug Hayman, Susan Witter, Kera McArthur, and Holly Kavanaugh. We will be introducing you to them over the next month. A
- [Impact of Voluntary Sector in Cowichan Review](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/10/13/impact-of-voluntary-sector-in-cowichan-review/) - A recent report developed in the Cowichan Valley found that the economic impact of charitable organizations in the Cowichan Region is significant. Collectively, these organizations accounted for over $119 million in annual revenue and employed nearly 1800 individuals in 2013. Most of this revenue is expended locally and is an important feature of the local
- [Vernon Mayor Rob Sawatzky speaks out for Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/10/16/vernon-mayor-rob-sawatzky-speaks-out-for-social-policy-framework/) - by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Oct 15, 2014 at 1:00 AM There are growing demands on the provincial government to tackle social issues head-on. Vernon council unanimously decided Tuesday to ask the provincial government to consult with British Colombians as part of developing a social policy framework. “Without a plan, there will be gaping holes or
- [Board Voice Director Involved in Anti-poverty Rally in Prince George](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/12/10/board-voice-director-involved-in-anti-poverty-rally-in-prince-george/) - Dawn Hemmingway, Board Voice Director and Chair of the School of Social Work at UNBC participated in the 'Chili Blanket 12 Rally' in Prince George on Saturday Dec. 6th, to bring attention to poverty and violence against women. Hosted by the 'The Northern Women’s Forum' of which Dawn is also a founding member, the rally
- [BV Board member Dawn Hemingway and ChiliBlanket project](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/12/07/bv-board-member-dawn-hemingway-and-chiliblanket-project/) - Founding member of the Northern Women’s Forum and Board Voice board member Dawn Hemingway helped organize the 13th annual Chili Blanket event in Prince George on Saturday. ChiliBlanket seeks to address poverty in the city and province, while helping those who struggle to keep warm and fed on a daily basis. The Northern Women’s Forum (NWF)
- [Canadian government moving to address determinants of health](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/12/02/canadian-government-moving-to-address-determinants-of-health/) - It appears the new federal government is moving to factor the social determinants of health into policy making across a range of issues: Read the article in iPolitics
- [Changes in Charitable Sector](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/11/24/changes-in-charitable-sector/) - The voice of charities and non-profits is critical in a democratic society. Board Voice, as a non-profit and not a charity, has been at the forefront of political advocacy efforts in BC. When the new Society Act was proposed in 2014, it contained a very troubling section that would have allowed interested parties to apply
- [Former Alberta Premier to talk social policy in BC](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/11/15/former-alberta-premier-to-talk-social-policy-in-bc/) - Alberta’s 15th Premier and past Minister of Human Resources Dave Hancock will explain how and why Alberta created a Social Policy Framework to a gathering of BC community social service agencies in Vancouver on November 27. Hancock served as Premier in 2014 between Premier Redford and Premier Prentice. During 18 years in the Alberta government
- [Conference Speaker in Times Colonnist](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/11/04/conference-speaker-in-times-colonnist/) - Dr. Trevor Hancock has a column in today's Victoria Times Colonist: We need to measure what matters in B.C. Dr. Hancock will be delivering a talk at our upcoming Board Voice Conference on November 27th titled Putting people first: Human and social development as if people mattered. You can register for the conference here.
- [Win a Grant—Start a movement!](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/09/23/win-a-grant-start-a-movement/) - Board Voice has partnered with The Federation of Community Social Services of BC (FCSSBC) who won a grant from the Vancouver Foundation to engage with businesses, municipalities, community partners and citizens to spark interest in new ideas in the design and delivery of human services in BC and create the climate needed for change. Board
- [Your Input Needed: Designing the BC Social Reports](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/08/11/your-input-needed-designing-the-bc-social-reports/) - Back in November 2015 Board Voice began working on a concept we call the BC Social Reports, an annual publishing of very top-line measures drawing attention to some of BC’s most intractable and challenging social issues. Since then we have formed a working group, had many discussions and held two meetings. Out of all of
- [Report from the Chair September](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/09/08/report-from-the-chair-september/) - Hello all, It has been an exciting summer beginning with the appointment of our new executive coordinator Christine Thomas on June 1. Former EC Doug Hayman, has continued to assist the board over the transition period and is coordinating what we think will be a great conference this year. Thank you Doug. We submitted a
- [Open Data Strategy](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/08/05/open-data-strategy/) - There was an initial meeting of parties interested in better data sharing for the Community Benefits sector in BC on July 30. It stoked some interesting thinking. The idea behind this comes out of the US Based Markets for Good: Information to Drive Social Impact, whose beautifully stated vision is: Imagining a Social Sector Powered by Information.
- [Our new(ish) Executive Coordinator: Christine Thomas](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/08/05/our-newish-executive-coordinator-christine-thomas/) - Dear members, On behalf of the board of directors, I am pleased to announce that Christine Thomas has joined Board Voice as its new Executive Coordinator as of June 1 2015. Christine comes to us with a rich background in the government, social benefit and business sectors, most recently as the Executive Director of VAST.
- [Board Voice Calls for Coordinated Action to Address Number of Aboriginal Children in Child Welfare System](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/07/20/board-voice-calls-for-coordinated-action-to-address-number-of-aboriginal-children-in-child-welfare-system/) - Vancouver, BC – Board Voice Society of BC (Board Voice) is renewing its call to the Premier and other elected officials to develop a social policy framework to take coordinated action to improve the lives of Aboriginal children and families. The call comes in the wake of the release of The Aboriginal Children in Care Working
- [Social Policy Framework Needed for Growing Up in BC say social workers](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/07/19/social-policy-framework-needed-for-growing-up-in-bc-say-social-workers/) - The BC Association of Social Workers (BCASW) is the latest organization to call for a Social Policy Framework for British Columbia. The Growing up in BC-2015 (produced by Representative for Youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall) report highlights the realities of life for children in the care of the Ministry
- [Congratulations to Dr. William McMichael](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/07/10/congratulations-to-dr-william-mcmichael/) - Board Voice would like to congratulate Dr. William McMichael on his recent award. Dr. McMichael has received the Vancouver Mayor’s Achievement Award for his work on the 2015 Vancouver-Yokohama Golden Jubilee. Fostering relationships between different nationalities has been a hallmark of the great work Dr. McMichael has done over his life. Dr. McMichael has a long history
- [BC Government's 2015 Mandate Letters: the View from 30,000 Feet](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/07/01/government-mandate-letters-the-view-from-30000-feet/) - Premier Clark first issued ministry mandate letters on June 7, 2013. These letters are designed to act as ongoing work plans for each ministry, updated annually. The content here is from the mandate letters issued June 12, 2015. Considered together, they give strong indications of where this government sees its priorities. As Community Social Services
- [Growing Up in B.C. - 2015](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/06/22/growing-up-in-b-c-2015/) - A new report by the Representative for Children and Youth and the Provincial Health Officer examines the question, “How are our children doing right now?” While there have been some improvements, vulnerable children and youth, especially Aboriginal children and those in government care, continue to lag behind their peers. They also report that changes to
- [Civil society coalition takes aim at Harper government for stifling dissent](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/06/16/civil-society-coalition-takes-aim-at-harper-government-for-stifling-dissent/) - A coalition of 200 civil society organizations says its wants all political parties to explain to voters how they will ensure that criticism and dissent of the government is not punished by those in power. Read more... The groups paper is Human Rights, an Enabling Environment and a Vibrant Democracy
- [It's Membership Sign Up Time!](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/02/20/its-membership-sign-up-time/) - It's that time of year again for Board Voice's annual membership drive. A huge thanks goes out to our many members for believing in BoardVoice and we ask you now to either renew your membership or sign on as new members so that together we can keep moving forward on our important work. Download our
- [May Update from the Chair](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/05/19/may-update-from-the-chair/) - Hello all, We have been a bit quiet on our updates because much of our work has been planning and preparing. Even so, there is a lot going on. Our membership sign-up is underway. We need your support if we are to continue to hold open this space where board members can come together and
- [Carol James Thanks Board Voice for Advocating Against 'Section 99'](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/04/21/carol-james-thanks-board-voice-for-advocating-against-section-99/) - "I am writing to thank you for your work advocating against section 99 in Bill 24’s proposed changes to the Societies Act. This section would have allowed any member of the public or a corporation to bring legal action against a society on the basis that it is acting against an undefined public interest. By
- [Support your local charity — reform the law](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/04/16/support-your-local-charity-reform-the-law/) - Ottawa's tax audits against select charities across the country has created the great “advocacy chill”and many are now afraid to speak out... Read more at the Times Colonist
- [Section 99 removed from Proposed Societies Act](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/03/25/section-99-removed-from-proposed-societies-act/) - We have just been informed through the Federation of Community Social Services of BC that 'Section 99' has been removed from the Societies Act bill that will be presented to the BC Legislature. In August 2014, the Provincial Government released The Societies Act White Paper: Draft Legislation with Annotations, announcing their intention to table a bill making
- [Tell Your MLA What You Think of Proposed Changes to the BC Society Act](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/03/16/tell-your-mla-what-you-think-of-proposed-changes-to-the-bc-society-act/) - A draft of the new Societies Act is coming before the BC Legislature during this sitting. Section 99 of the proposed Act would allow any member of the public or a corporation to bring legal action against a society on the basis that it is acting against an undefined “public interest”? Take Action! Board Voice is urging members
- [BC's Poverty Reduction Plan?](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/03/19/bcs-poverty-reduction-plan/) - Justine Hunter at the Globe & Mail is reporting that the BC Liberals have a "plan-without-a-name" that happens to take aim at child poverty. She writes, the BC "Liberals do not want to be measured against targets – perhaps having learned from their unmet job-creation goals." and "They have not bundled these changes into a slogan-ready program. But
- [Rules of Speaking Up: Registrar of Lobbyists BC & the CRA](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/03/10/rules-of-speaking-up-registrar-of-lobbyists-bc-the-cra/) - Non-profits and charities have an essential role and voice in shaping public policy in Canada and BC. We should not be intimidated out of that role, and certainly not because of misconceptions about the rules. There are two big questions for boards of non-profits and charities operating within BC: Are we lobbying according the the
- [Imagine Canada: Advocacy and Charities](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/02/24/imagine-canada-advocacy-and-charities/) - On January 17th Imagine Canada hosted a Public Policy Session in Vancouver, designed to inform board directors on the impacts of recent changes to the federal government’s approach to charities and the effects that is having on charities. There has been a lot of talk about the Canadian Revenue Agency’s (CRA) political activity audits. Some
- [Imagine Canada's Public Policy Roadshow Coming to  Vancouver Feb. 17th](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/02/10/imagine-canadas-public-policy-roadshow-coming-to-vancouver-feb-17th/) - On Tuesday February 17th from 2 to 4pm, Imagine Canada, the national umbrella organization for Canadian charities, will deliver a public policy workshop at the Vancouver Public Library. The workshop is aimed at local charity leaders and Board members in order to explain the why and how of charities’ participation in public policy. Imagine Canada
- [Update on Proposed Changes to BC Society Act ](https://boardvoice.ca/2015/02/04/member-update-on-the-bc-society-act-issue/) - Andrew Gage from the West Coast Environmental Law Society attended a roundtable discussion on the proposed Societies Act in Vancouver on January 26th, led by Minister Michael De Jong. Andrew reported that Minister De Jong ran the meeting himself and confirmed the changes to the Society Act would likely be introduced to the legislature in late March. "He
- [North Vancouver District Council Endorses idea of a B.C. Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/06/02/north-vancouver-city-council-endorses-social-policy-framework-idea/) - Community agencies are facing "increasingly complex social challenges," according to a report written by Mayor Richard Walton. On May 26th North Vancouver District Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution calling on the Premeir to begin a consultation process leading to the development of a social policy framework for B.C. (Read more)
- [More Municipalities Support Resolution to Premier Clark](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/06/11/more-municipalities-support-resolution-to-premier-clark/) - The Cities of Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Kamloops and the North Vancouver District join long list of municipalities calling on Premier Clark to begin a consultation process leading to the development of a "made in B.C." social policy framework. A resolution in this regard will be on the table at UBCM this September. Municipalities get the idea that a framework is
- [Community Boards in Action - In Spades!](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/08/13/community-boards-in-action-in-spades/) - Report on the Community Boards in Action Project – August 2014 New ground has been broken through the successful implementation of the Community Boards in Action project. A report on this project follows. Our thanks to the Vancouver Foundation and the efforts of local. community board members and agency E.D.s for helping us to fulfil one of
- [CEO Network Supports Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/10/06/ceo-network-supports-social-policy-framework/) - Board Voice recently received this bulletin from the CEO Network Board of Directors: "On September 26th 2014 with a resounding show of support, the membership of the BC CEO Network voted to support and encourage the outstanding work being done by Board Voice in the implementation of a "Social Policy Framework" in BC." The CEO
- [Cowichan Contemplates Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/12/16/cowichan-contemplates-social-policy-framework/) - On October 21, 2014, 39 board and executive directors from community based social service organizations joined with business leaders in Duncan B.C. to hear from a panel on “A Social Policy Framework: What are the possibilities for the Cowichan region?” Panelists included Jennifer Jones (a Lyackson Nation community member); Cathy Robertson (Executive Director of Community
- [2014 Annual Report from the Chair](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/12/02/annual-report-from-the-chair/) - I think we can say, looking back on 2014, that it was a rather remarkable year. We were focused on four thing. Three are the ways we deliver value to our members: Creating opportunities for board Skills development Connecting boards to boards Advocating for the Social Service sector The fourth was continuing to explore our
- [Janet Austin & the Interaction of Social and Economic Policy](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/12/05/agm-2014-interaction-of-social-and-economic-policy/) - Janet Austin is the CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver and responsible for one of BC’s largest and most diversified non-profits, delivering services to tens of thousands of people each year in more than 30 locations across Metro Vancouver. Janet is also the Chair of the Vancouver Board of Trade. It is her unique view of both
- [Michael Prince Power Point](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/12/01/michael-prince-power-point/) - Dr. Michael Prince, Lansdowne Professor of Social Policy, participated in a panel discussion called What a Social Policy Framework Could Mean for BC along with Frank Elsner, Chief of Police, Victoria Police Department, and Anita Huberman, CEO Surrey Board of Trade. Michael had prepared a PowerPoint presentation which, regrettably, was not available at the conference. The presentation is very
- [Doug Hayman's Farewell Speech](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/12/03/doug-haymans-farewell-speech/) - Thank you to all the speakers here tonight. And to everyone for your generous words. I am honoured to be a part of Board Voice and immensely grateful for the experience of working with some wonderful people to create something new, generative and forward looking. Have you ever had that experience of talking to someone
- [2014 AGM: Welcome Speech](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/12/06/2014-agm-welcome-speech/) - Good morning everyone, my name is Michael Davis, and I am the Chair of Board Voice. I am here to welcome you to the 5th Annual Board Voice conference held on the traditional, unceded territories of the Muqueam people. We are unique in that we are a gathering of board members from all these Community
- [Eden Yesh: Collective Impact](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/12/04/eden-yesh-collective-impact/) - Eden Yesh presented a workshop called Collective Impact--Theory and Practice. A case study in BC. The PowerPoint Slides are here. Collective Impact Presentation - Eden Yesh Nov 28 14 Eden's speaking notes are below. Eden is the Community Development branch manager at Kootenay Employment Services Society, a 24yr registered charity dedicated to dynamic employment and
- [Carol](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/12/07/carol/) - On Friday, many of us got a note from Maureen, Lou and Jennifer at Child Health BC: “Carol Matusicky peacefully passed away this morning [December 5th] at her home and in the presence of her family.” They added, “We all valued her passion and can-do attitude, as well her knowledge and experience, around our BC Healthy
- [NDP Launches Petition to Stop Changes to Societies Act](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/11/26/ndp-launches-petition-to-stop-changes-to-societies-act/) - While the public comment period on the BC Government's proposed changes to the BC Societies Act is over, the BC NDP has launched an online petition to collect as many names as possible to oppose the proposed changes. The online petition is here: http://www.bcndp.ca/christy-clark-dont-muzzle-bc Board Voice signed the letter put together by the The
- [October Report from the Chair](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/10/20/october-report-from-the-chair/) - Dear members and friends, With our heads down in the daily rush to advocate for the sector, we sometime slip right by major wins. So let’s pause for a moment and celebrate the unanimous endorsement of a call for a made in BC Social Policy Framework (SPF) at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). Yay!
- [56 Societies Sign Letter Opposing 'Section 99'](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/10/15/56-societies-sign-letter-opposing-section-99/) - 56 BC societies--including Board Voice--have signed and submitted a letter opposing proposed changes to the BC Societies Act that would allow any "interested party” to apply to the courts to have the actions of the society ruled “not in the public interest.” The letter was drafted by the West Coast Environmental Law Society and submitted to
- [Proposed Changes to Act Open Societies to Attack](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/10/08/proposed-changes-to-act-open-societies-to-attack/) - The BC Government is proposing changes to the Societies Act that would allow any “interested party" to apply to the courts to have the actions of the society ruled “not in the public interest.” This single change could tie up enormous amounts of time and money as non-profits are forced to defend themselves against any
- [Vancouver Sun: Social Policy Has Big Economic Implications](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/09/26/vancouver-sun-social-policy-has-big-economic-implications/) - BoardVoice and the Social Policy Framework are in today's Vancouver Sun: Social Policy Has Big Economic Implications
- [September Report from the Chair](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/09/22/september-report-from-the-chair/) - Hello all, Board Voice continues to make rather surprising headway on the Social Policy Framework (SPF) front, all while laying plans for our 5th Annual Board Voice conference November 28/29. Let me begin this update by thanking so many of our members for reaching out to municipal councils, MLAs, and local boards to talk about
- [SPF in the Media](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/09/17/spf-in-the-media/) - The launch of the SFU School of Public Policy's report Making the Case: a Social Policy Framework for British Columbia made it onto CBC Radio's The Early Edition on Monday at 6:12 AM. You can listen to the clip here.
- [SFU Study makes the case for new approach to BC social policy](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/09/15/sfu-study-makes-the-case-for-new-approach-to-bc-social-policy/) - A new study by Simon Fraser University’s School of Public Policy, Making the Case, claims the way BC makes social policy needs reform and that a Social Policy Framework is the best way to do it. The study, commissioned by the Board Voice Society of BC, draws on the government’s own reports to show that
- [Cities From A to V Support Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/08/30/cities-from-a-to-v-support-social-policy-framework/) - Two more cities have passed resolutions calling on the Premier to begin creating a Social Policy Framework: Abbotsford and Victoria. Kudos to Rod Santiago in the valley and Doug Hayman on the island for moving these forward. These follow on the heels of Prince George joining the call. The Mayor and BoardVoice's Dawn Hemmingway were
- [Prince George Joins Call for SPF](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/08/26/prince-george-joins-call-for-spf/) - Prince George has joined the call for a BC Social Policy Framework. Council unanimously passed a resolution endorsing the call on August 25. Kudos to Dawn Hemingway and Kerry Pateman for getting this in front of council.
- [Call for Social Policy Framework in Vancouver Sun](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/08/14/call-for-social-policy-framework-in-vancouver-sun/) - Social service agencies collective call for the Government of BC to begin developing a Social Policy Framework made the Opinion page of the Vancouver Sun today: Social service agencies call for policy framework Common purpose: Public consultation needed to streamline, improve services On May 14, Vancouver City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling on B.
- [Federation of Community Social Services of BC Joins Call for SPF](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/07/23/federation-of-community-social-services-of-bc-joins-call-for-spf/) - The Federation of Community Social Services of BC has joined 34 other community social service groups in calling on the Premier of BC to start a process that would lead to a Social Policy Framework for BC. The Federation passed the motion on July 22, 2014. The community social service agencies calling for a SPF to
- [July Report from the Chair](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/07/07/july-report-from-the-chair/) - Hello all I must first apologize for the lack of updates from me over the last couple of months; I was somewhat overwhelmed with my day job. I was asked to step into the role of Director of Communications for the Canadian Men's Health Foundation a month and a half before their national launch in Ottawa
- [Board Voice Strategic Planning 2014](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/05/20/board-voice-strategic-planning-2014/) - Vice Chair Leslie Welin Reports - “We want a province where every individual and every community can achieve to their highest potential.” With those words, Board Voice chair, Michael Davis, launched the board into a two day session to plan how Board Voice will move forward to help create this future. This is the only
- [26 Community Social Service Agencies Sign Call for SPF](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/03/10/26-community-social-service-agencies-sign-call-for-spf/) - As of March 8, 2014 26 Community Social Service Agencies have signed the "There Is a Better Way" call to action. If your agency has endorsed the call and you are not on the list, let us know and we will add you. If you have not endorsed it, please ask your board to consider
- [BCASW Calls for a Social Policy Framework for B.C.](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/05/13/bcasw-calls-for-a-social-policy-framework-for-b-c/) - The board of the British Columbia Association of Social Workers has passed a motion supporting the call for a social policy framework for B.C. Barb Keith, President of the BC Association of Social Workers: “BCASW is pleased to join Board Voice in calling for the development and adoption of a Social Policy Framework for BC.
- [Unaimous vote at Vancouver City Council for Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/05/15/unaimous-vote-at-vancouver-city-council-for-social-policy-framework/) - For immediate release May 15, 2014 Cities of Vancouver and New Westminster call for BC Social Policy Framework Vancouver— May 14, 2014 the Vancouver City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling “upon the premier to begin a consultation with British Columbians to initiate the development of a Social Policy Framework that will set out
- [From Foster Care to Homelessness - We Must Do More](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/10/22/from-foster-care-to-homelessness-we-must-do-more/) - Remember when you were 18 years old? You were living at home with your family, thinking about that first full-time job and planning to save money to go to college. You weren't sure what the future would hold, but hey, you were almost 19, and there was lots to look forward to ... life was good.
- [Central Okanagan Bringing Boards Together](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/04/07/central-okanagan-bringing-boards-together/) - April 3, 2014 For Immediate Release: Board Voice has collaborated with a number of Central Okanagan organizations to bring boards together to disucss issues of concern in the Region. In particular, the upcoming Board Impact Forum will explore the Influence and Issues of Volunteer Governance Anyone on a board or thinking of joining a board
- [National Volunteer Week Celebrates 13.3 Million Volunteers](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/04/10/national-volunteer-week-celebrates-13-3-million-volunteers/) - National Volunteer Week celebrates Canada’s 13.3 million volunteers. In British Columbia, we have a vital and innovative non-profit (community benefits) sector. There are some 26,000 community benefit organizations in B.C., each with a board of directors. That means there are between 100,000 and 200,000 of us making decisions every day that affect the lives of millions
- [More Local Governments Join Call for Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/04/16/more-local-governments-recommend-ubcm-endorse-call-for-social-policy-framework/) - At their Annual General Meeting held April 9 - 11, 2014, in Creston, the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) supported a resolution from the City of Nelson going forward to the Union of BC Municipalities calling for a province-wide consultation on the development of a social policy framework in BC. The resolution
- [Surrey Board of Trade Calls for Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/05/08/845/) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 2014 Surrey Board of Trade Calls for Social Policy Framework The Surrey Board of Trade voted in April to adopt a resolution calling on the provincial government to begin a consultation to design a Social Policy Framework for British Columbia and will join Board Voice in presenting this idea to
- [April Report from the Chair](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/04/20/april-report-from-the-chair/) - April has been a very positive month with the Board Impact Forum: The Influence and The Issues held in Kelowna on April 14 and the call for a BC Social Policy Framework gathering momentum. The early part of the month was less positive as the Portland Hotel Society story began to affect public perceptions of other
- [AVICC Recommends UBCM Endorse Call for Social Policy Framework ](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/04/15/avicc-recommends-ubcm-endorse-call-for-social-policy-framework/) - The Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) has recommended that the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) call on the Premier to begin designing a Social Policy Framework for BC. The resolution was presented by the City of Duncan and passed at AVICC's annual convention in Qualicum on April 12. The resolution reads: R26 SOCIAL
- [Campbell River Supports Social Policy Resolution](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/04/06/campbell-river-supports-social-policy-resolution/) - The Courier Islander is reporting that Campbell River city council will support a resolution by the City of Duncan to begin establishing a social policy framework for B.C. The motion was made by councillor Ron Kerr, in response to a letter from John Howard Society of North Island president and Director of the Board of
- [Boards Weigh In On DownTown Eastside Audit Issue](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/04/02/boards-weigh-in-on-downtown-eastside-audit-issue/) - Family Services of Greater Vancouver Board Chair Joanne Haucsh and Lookout Society Director Jim Frankish have weighed into the media discussion on the audit scandal that has engulfed the Portland Hotel Society (PHS). Hausch and Frankish spoke to the Globe & Mail about creating strong oversight through regular board meetings, skilled board members, transparency and
- [Big Idea: A New Narrative for the Sector](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/03/28/big-idea-a-new-narrative-for-the-sector/) - Imagine Canada is an umbrella organization for Canada's charities and non-profit organizations (or Community Benefit organizations as I like to think of them). They have been working in partnership with others to "start a New Narrative – a conversation with Canadians about our ’sector’ – who we are, what we do and how we are
- [March Report from the Chair](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/03/21/march-report-from-the-chair/) - Advocacy We have a total of 28 community social service organizations signed onto the There is a Better Way call to action. If your board has not signed on yet, please ask them to consider it. We are working with a Duncan City Councillor to present the resolution for a Social Policy Framework to the
- [Leslie Welin: Why a social-policy framework is needed in B.C.](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/03/19/leslie-welin-why-a-social-policy-framework-is-needed-in-b-c/) - BoardVoice Vice Chair Leslie Welin penned an article on why we need a Social Policy Framework in BC. It has run in the Parksville News, the Georgia Straight and a couple of other community papers.
- [Big Idea: The Way We Think About Charity Is Dead Wrong](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/03/15/big-idea-the-way-we-think-about-charity-is-dead-wrong/) - TED Talks opens in Vancouver this week and they are all about Big Ideas! In this TED Talk video, Dan Pallotta turns our thinking about charity assessment, fundraising and 'admin costs' on its head. Dan Pallotta is best known for creating the multi-day charitable event industry with the long-distance Breast Cancer 3-Day walks, AIDS Rides bicycle journeys, and Out of
- [City of Duncan Calls for Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/01/21/city-of-duncan-calls-for-social-policy-framework/) - On January 20th, Duncan City Council voted to adopt a resolution calling on the provincial government to begin a consultation to design a Social Policy Framework for British Columbia. They will present this resolution to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) for their consideration in April 2014, and eventually take it to the
- [Big Idea: Collective Impact](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/02/26/big-idea-collective-impact/) - Collective Impact is in approach to solving 'wicked social problems' with Five Conditions of Collective Success: common agenda; shared measurement systems; mutually reinforcing activities; continuous communications; and backbone support organizations. Collective impact is explained in a paper by John Kania & Mark Kramer, published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review. They cite numerous examples of success: "Strive, a
- [February Report from the Chair ](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/02/19/february-report-from-the-chair/) - Hello all, The past month has seen some extraordinary strides on the Social Policy Framework: two municipalities have passed resolutions calling on the provincial government to begin a process to create a SPF. We are working hard to keep this momentum going. Advocacy We have a total of 23 orgs signed onto the There is
- [New Community Boards in Action for Kamloops](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/02/17/new-community-boards-in-action-for-kamloops/) - BoardVoice has approved one more Community Boards in Action Grant, this one in Kamloops. The Kamloops Non-Profit Community Social Plan will develop a non-profit sector social plan, enhancing the strength of the non-profit sector as a voice for the populations they serve by collaborating across boards. The plan will be contextualized within the Kamloops City Social plan, and
- [Former MLAs Get a Peek at Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/02/10/ex-mlas-get-a-peek-at-social-policy-framework/) - Former MLAs are getting a peek at BoardVoice's Social Policy Framework initiative. The newsletter that goes to all retired MLAs has published a story by Craig East, Treasurer of BoardVoce, on the signing of the "There Is A Better Way" declaration. You can read the story here: Orders of the Day (Former MLAs) Feb 2014 Edition
- [Nelson Joins Call for Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/02/06/nelson-joins-call-for-social-policy-framework/) - Nelson City Council has unanimously passed a resolution calling on BC's premier to begin creating a Social Policy Framework. Nelson's resolution will be now be considered at the 2014 Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) Conference in Creston, April 9 to 11. If passed there, it will go on to the Union of BC Municipalities
- [Presentation on Creating Alberta's Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/02/04/presentation-on-creating-albertas-social-policy-framework/) - One of our keynote speakers at the BoardVoice AGM in November 2013 was Leanne Wagner. She was integral to the public engagement and subsequent development of Alberta's Social Policy Framework. This is a video of her presentation. It is quite long (1:15) but we wanted to share it as a reference piece. You can see
- [Duncan wants decision-making made through a new lens](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/01/30/duncan-wants-decision-making-made-through-a-new-lens/) - The City of Duncan's decision to call for a province-wide Social Policy Framework is in the latest edition of the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial: Read it here
- [Making The Connections: Our City, Our Society, Our Health](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/01/23/making-the-connections-our-city-our-society-our-health/) - We often talk about the social determinants of health, and how we could do a much better job of allocating scarce resources by paying more attention to preventative measures rather than only dealing with health issues once people are sick. This short video by Wellesley Institute does a good job of illustrating the basics. Making
- [Report from the Chair January 2014](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/01/22/report-from-the-chair-january-2014/) - Hello all, It has been a surprisingly busy month across the Christmas holidays. Our Communications Working Group have completed a few projects to date: they set up our YouTube channel and drafted two news releases announcing our new board members. They have just finished linking all our members’ websites to our BV membership list. They will
- [Hope for 2014 Op-ed](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/01/15/hope-for-2014-op-ed/) - During the holidays, many of us think of those with less and give our time or money to help. This year’s season of giving happens in the context of the 2013 Child Poverty Report Card, showing BC has the highest child poverty rate in Canada: one in every five children lives in poverty. Nearly
- [Three new Community Boards in Action](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/01/08/three-new-community-boards-in-action/) - BoardVoice approved three new Community Boards in Action projects yesterday: Options Community Services Society in Surrey will hold nine collaboration and board training sessions for agencies in the Surrey area over the next two years. The Sessions will consist of: Dinner and networking time A two-hour board training session, using and external trainer, focused on priority training
- [Victoria Boards Together](https://boardvoice.ca/2014/01/07/victoria-boards-together/) - A Victoria Community Boards in Action pilot project is being led by Boards Together in collaboration with Volunteer Victoria. The project recognizes that including young people under the age of 35 (young community leaders) allows greater interagency collaboration and improved governance for social service agencies in the greater Victoria area. Through a series of workshops, events and an online platform
- [BoardVoice Report from the Chair](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/12/21/boardvoice-report-from-the-chair/) - This is the first in a monthly series: BV Report from the Chair that should help make you and your boards more aware of our activities across our various committees, regions of our province, and among our member boards. I hope it will stimulate better outcomes from BoardVoice by sharing the ideas and activities we
- [ Hlidy Gottlieb at BV Annual Conference on Huffington Post](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/12/17/hlide-gottlieb-at-bv-annual-conference-on-huffington-post/) - The first day of the BoardVoice 2013 Annual conference was culminating in an rousing reception with conference speaker Hildy Gottlieb discussing inspiring change. BV host Doug Hayman asks Hildy what keeps her energized. "That's easy," she says. "It's when I watch people realize they can create the future right now, simply by being what they
- [Sunshine Coast: Fierce Conversations](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/12/01/sunshine-coast-fierce-conversations/) - “Fierce Conversations” is a Sunshine Coast Community Services Society (SCCSS) program to: a) develop/enhance skills of board members around having difficult conversations and reaching a positive outcome around real/current concerns, and b) to build capacity on the Coast for facilitating community service based workshops. The goal is to embed these skills on the Coast so we
- [Central Okanagan: A Collective Voice](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/12/01/central-okanagan-a-collective-voice/) - In early in 2013 we distributed an email survey to 25 community-based social service agencies, establishing that all the agencies are interested in exploring the benefits of a collective voice for Central Okanagan Boards. Since then, we've held four meeting, submitted a funding proposal, developed an action plan to June, 2014 and established partnerships with
- [Cowichan Board Meets Board](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/12/02/cowichan-board-meets-board/) - The Cowichan Board Meets Board project started before there were any funds available to communities. In June 2010, an invitation went out to thirty-six community social service agencies. Twenty-three board members and executive directors from twelve different agencies came together. The purpose of that first gathering was to have a conversation about what were the
- [Youth On Board in Prince George](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/12/02/youth-on-board-in-prince-george/) - Over the Fall 2013, a successful 4-part initiative to promote the multiple benefits of having young people involved with community social service agencies was undertaken by Board Voice member agencies in Prince George in partnership with other local community social service providers, the United Way of Northern BC and the University of Northern BC School
- [Governing for What Matters ](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/12/17/governing-for-what-matters/) - Hilde Gottlieb, founder of Creating the Future, was one of the presenters at our annual conference in 2013. She got everyone stirred up about different way of thinking about our roles as directors and redefining what is possible. Dimitri Petropolis, cofounder of Creating the Future, has provide a session handbook that summarizes Hilde's presentation: BoardVoiceConference2013-GoverningforWhatMatters-Handbook
- [Vancouver: Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/11/27/vancouver-social-policy-framework/) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkKw0FmzOfw The Vancouver area community boards in action project sprang out of several conversation we were having around a discussion paper put out by the Federation of Community social services called Social Policy Frameworks in Canada. When Doug mentioned how hard it was to find common projects to bring the Vancouver area agencies together, we
- [Alberta: Creating a Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/12/16/alberta-creating-a-social-policy-framework/) - Leann Wagner had a lead role in designing the engagement strategy for Alberta’s Social Policy Framework and the ongoing engagement to create: a poverty reduction strategy, a Children’s Charter, an approach to early childhood development collectively referred to as Together We Raise Tomorrow. Leann Wagner was BoardVoice's guest speaker at our 2013 Annual Conference. You can
- [Report from the Chair November 2013](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/12/02/report-from-the-chair-november-2013/) - Hello everyone and welcome to the early morning Board Voice Annual General meeting. I hope that you enjoyed yesterday as much as I did and was as inspired as I by Hildy and Dimitri. We recently heard from Hildy that a big organization in the US, called Board Source, is now thinking of creating something
- [Mental health services under fire](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/09/03/mental-health-services-under-fire/) - The Vancouver Sun reports that Metro mayors and police are calling for the province to support intervention centres for mentally ill, addicts. Read more...
- [Treating mentally ill as criminals wrong solution](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/09/03/treating-mentally-ill-as-criminals-wrong-solution/) - Ian Mulgrew writes that politicians opted to hand more money to police services and courts, instead of toward programs to aid mental health and fight addiction. Now we are all paying the price. Read more...
- [B.C. advocacy groups fear social-service cuts over wage increases ](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/09/23/b-c-advocacy-groups-fear-social-service-cuts-over-wage-increases/) - Social Development Minister Don McRae says the B.C. government never committed to covering the three per cent wage increase reached in a deal with social-service workers. Photograph by: DARREN STONE, Times Colonist The B.C. government’s refusal to cover negotiated wage increases for front-line social-service workers poses a growing threat to people with developmental disabilities, advocacy groups
- [Board Voice Conference 2013 - A Province that Works for Everyone](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/10/02/board-voice-conference-2013-a-province-that-works-for-everyone/) - Please register for the Board Voice AGM and Conference here! This year's Board Voice Conference and AGM promises to be a fabulous event with great speakers and important conversations planned. Politicians Michelle Mungall, NDP Critic for MSD and Andrew Weaver, MLA from the Green Party will be speaking. Alberta Executive Director of Strategic Policy
- [Police call for more mental health services](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/10/16/police-call-for-more-mental-health-services/) - Across Canada, police are bearing the brunt of broken mental health care systems and are calling for increased funding for mental health and social services. Read more.. .
- [Board Voice Chair Addresses Select Standing committee on Finance](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/10/22/board-voice-chair-addresses-select-standing-committee-on-finance/) - Dr. Carol Matusicky made a strong plea to the government to introduce a Social Policy Framework for B.C…. Read More
- [KPMG on "The Integration Imperative"](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/11/05/kpmg-on-the-integration-imperative/) - International accounting firm KPMG has published a report looking at integrating the delivery of human and social services, something we at Board Voice have been advocating for through the development of a made in BC Social Policy Framework. Their conclusions: Integration offers exciting potential gains, but governments need to consider carefully when and where it will work. The report, called The
- [Children and Youth report highlights need for  BC Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/11/12/children-and-youth-report-highlights-need-for-bc-social-policy-framework/) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 12, 2013 Vancouver—The most recent report by the Representative for Children and Youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, When Talk Trumps Service, A Decade of Lost Opportunity for Aboriginal Children in B.C., is a sad reminder that good intentions are not enough when tackling complex social issues. Board Voice, a provincial group of community social
- [How long must poor kids in B.C. wait for action?](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/11/26/how-long-must-poor-kids-in-b-c-wait-for-action/) - BY ADRIENNE MONTANI AND DR. JOHN MILLAR, THE PROVINCE NOVEMBER 26, 2013 The 2013 B.C. Child Poverty Report Card, published by First Call: B.C. Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition, again contains a list of shameful statistics for our wealthy province compared with the rest of the country: highest child-poverty rate (18.6 per cent); highest under-age-six
- [SFU Masters Students To Look at Social Policy Framework for BC](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/11/29/sfu-masters-students-to-look-at-social-policy-framework-for-bc/) - Masters Students at the Graduate School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University are beginning a six month project to review BC’s current approach to social policy development and examine how a social policy framework could facilitate effective policy decision-making. BC currently has no overarching framework to guide the work of social ministries and related community organizations.
- [Board Voice Elects new Chair and two New Directors](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/12/03/board-voice-elects-new-chair-and-two-new-directors/) - Richmond—Board Voice members elected Michael Davis as chair of the board and Kerry Pateman and Lynn Malinsky as new board directors at the Annual General Meeting on November 23. Michael Davis is an award-winning communications strategist who directs major accounts for the Vancouver based firm, Reputations. Specializing in complex project management, he has experience designing and implementing
- [A Glimpse of the Future](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/12/10/a-glimpse-of-the-future/) - Thoughts from new BoardVoice Chair Michael Davis on what's next. When Carol and some other board members asked me if I would consider taking on the role of Chair of BoardVoice, my response was I am Honoured… and horrified. Honoured that they would trust me enough to try and fill this role, and horrified at
- [Social Policy Framework in the Vancouver Sun](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/07/04/social-policy-framework-in-the-vancouver-sun/) - The Vancouver Sun ran an opinion piece submitted by Family Services of Greater Vancouver board member and Board Voice board member, Michael Davis today. You can read the article here.
- [ Mayors calling for re-opening of Riverview Hospital](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/08/27/mayors-calling-for-re-opening-of-riverview-hospital/) - CTV News reports a group of B.C. mayors are calling on the provincial government to re-open Coquitlam’s Riverview Hospital for mental health patients. Read more: http://bc.ctvnews.ca/mayors-calling-for-re-opening-of-riverview-hospital-1.1428007#ixzz2dBy9dEIC
- [Co-ops and Social Care](https://boardvoice.ca/2011/12/02/co-ops-and-social-care/) - Co-ops and Social Care: A new future for Community Agencies was presented at the Board Voice COnference in December 2011 co-ops future of community agencies
- [Social Policy and the Agency Board Member](https://boardvoice.ca/2011/12/02/social-policy-and-the-agency-board-member/) - Social Policy and the Agency Board Member: What Do We Need to Know? Presented at the December 2011 Conference: social policy and the agency board member 2
- [Board Governance Essentials - A Primer ](https://boardvoice.ca/2011/12/02/board-governance-essentials-a-primer/) - Board Governance Essentials - A Primer for New Board Members was presented by Lyn Policha at the 2011 Board Voice Conference. It is in PowerPoint format: gainful governance - lyn policha bv
- [How to Host Conversations That Matter](https://boardvoice.ca/2011/12/02/how-to-host-conversations-that-matter/) - How to Host Conversations That Matter was presented at the December 20112 Board Voice Conference: How To Host Conversations That Matter
- [Letter from BV Chair Dave Stigant](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/01/04/letter-from-bv-chair-dave-stigant/) - All Aboard, Indeed It’s New Years Day 2012 - a good time for reflecting backwards, and looking forward. Thank goodness for a warm fire to kindle the thought processes. Two recent newspaper references caused me to think back on the words of my friend Leonard Alexee, an aboriginal elder from the Nisga’a territories married into... Read
- [Response to the BC Advisory Council on Social Entrepeneurship](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/03/01/response-to-the-bc-advisory-council-on-social-entrepeneurship/) - Date: March 7, 2012 To: The BC Advisory Council on Social Entrepreneurship Re: Together: Respecting Our Future Board Voice BC congratulates the Council on its creation and make-up, and the stimulating and insightful report Together: Respecting Our Future. Board Voice is pleased to become part of a widening conversation read more: bv response to social innovation
- [Newsletter April 2012](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/04/12/newsletter-april-2012/) - Welcome to Spring! Welcome to the Spring Edition of Boards Onboard for 2012! This promises to be a very interesting year for community social services. Recently the Ministry of Child and Family Development launched a new community planning process with the Union of BC Municipalities... Read more: newsletter april 12 final
- [Newsletter October 2012](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/10/12/newsletter-october-2012/) - We Want You To Join Board Voice Yes it sounds repetitive, but we need to keep asking. If you haven’t already, we want you to join Board Voice. These days, when money is tight and EDs and boards are combing through their budgets to find every efficiency possible, we believe that Board Voice continues to be... Read
- [Four ways to  Raise funds](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/11/12/four-ways-to-raise-funds/) - "Four ways to Raise funds: A Guide for Board Members" was presented by Judy Drinkwater at the November 2012 Board Voce Conference. These are her speaking notes: board 4 ways to help raise funds
- [Introduction To Social Enterprise](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/11/23/introduction-to-social-enterprise/) - Introduction To Social Enterprise was presented by David Lepage at the November 2012 Board Voice Conference: intro_to_socent_dlp - board_voice_1123 (1)
- [Beyond the 1%](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/11/23/beyond-the-1/) - "Beyond the 1%: What British Columbians think about taxes, inequality and public services" was presented at the November 2012 Board Voice Conference. It is a poll of attitudes towards taxation. ccpa-bc_tax-poll-resultsnov 12
- [A Short History of Social Services](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/11/23/a-short-history-of-social-services/) - A Short History of Social Services was presented by Tim Beachy at the November 2012 Board Voice Conference. These are his speaking notes: notes for A short history of social services
- [A Decade of Eroding  Tax Fairness in BC](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/11/23/a-decade-of-eroding-tax-fairness-in-bc/) - A Decade of Eroding Tax Fairness in BC was presented by Seth Klein, Iglika Ivanova and Marc Lee tax-facts_a decade_of_eroding_tax_fairness.ccpa copy
- [Effective Fund Development](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/11/23/effective-fund-development/) - Effective Fund Development was presented by Judy Lightwater at the November 2012 Board Voice Conference. These are her speaking notes. effective fund development - judy lightwater
- [Facing the Financial Crisis: 10 Smart Things Your Board Can Do Now](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/11/23/facing-the-financial-crisis-10-smart-things-your-board-can-do-now/) - "Facing the Financial Crisis: 10 Smart Things Your Board Can Do Now" was presented by Judy Lightwater at the November 2012 Board Voice Conference. There are her speaking notes. board actions in difficult financial times-1
- [Newsletter: December 2012](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/12/12/newsletter-december-2012/) - We’ve all been reading lately about the great shift supposedly taking place on earth predicted by the Mayans and others. Some conjure a catastrophic future and others a benign flowering of a new spiritual age. Clearly we face some significant problems as a species... Read more: bv newsletter final dec2012 copy
- [News Letter April 2013](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/04/19/news-letter-april-2013/) - Spring is in the air--and politics--a heady mixture sure to stir the hearts and minds of all British Columbians. For the first time in a decade, we see the opportunity for a change in government...Read more:bv newsletter april 13 final copy
- [Social Policy Framework Statement](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/06/14/boardvoice-social-policy-framework-statement/) - BoardVoice began advocating for the creation of a province-wide Social Policy Framework in early May 2013, with the creation of a Community Boards in Action group composed of the five largest Community Social Service agencies in Vancouver. The working group invited board representatives from the 'Group of Five' and collectively drafted the following: Draft: May
- ["There is a Better Way" Endorsed by 5 Vancouver Agencies](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/06/24/there-is-a-better-way-endorsed-by-5-vancouver-agencies/) - Five Vancouver are social service agency boards have approved the There is a Better Way statement calling on the BC government to begin a consultation to create a BC Social Policy Framework: There is a better way. Social policy affects everyone: young families searching for day care; parents supporting a child with developmental disabilities; victims of
- [Social Policy Frameworks in Other Provinces](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/07/05/social-policy-frameworks-in-other-provinces/) - BoardVoice started advocating for a made in BC social policy framework after reviewing the Social Policy Frameworks in Canada paper prepared by the Federation of Community Social Services in BC. This paper shows the possibilities and the pitfalls of creating SPFs. It is an excellent bacgkrounder to the discussion.
- [Cash Crunch as Agencies Wait for Bridge Funding ](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/07/16/cash-crunch-as-agencies-wait-for-bridge-funding/) - The Prince George Citizen is reporting some provincial social service agencies are feeling a cash crunch as they wait for bridge funding from the provincial government to finance staff wage increases. Read more...
- [Hiring a New Executive Director](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/11/13/hiring-a-new-executive-director/) - “Hiring the Executive Director, Before, During & After" was presented by Terry J. Clark from Real Board Solutions at the November 2012 Board Voice Conference: rbs - hiring process before during after ppt vs 11.pptx
- [Authentic Leadership in Action](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/11/23/authentic-leadership-in-action/) - "Authentic Leadership in Action" was presented by Jennifer Charlesworth at the Board Voice 2012 conference. This is her presentation in PDF format: authentic leadership action
- [Community Development and Collaboration ](https://boardvoice.ca/2012/11/23/community-development-and-collaboration/) - Community Development and Collaboration in Rural and Northern Communities was presented by Greg Halseth and Marleen Morris at the AGM 23 November 2012. Click the link to review the PowerPoint. community development collaborative practice - halseth morris nov 22 13
- [Child Poverty in the Vancouver Sun](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/07/09/child-poverty-in-the-vancouver-sun/) - Daphne Bramham of the Vancouver Sun writes a sizzling article on the levels of child poverty in BC.
- [Maple Ridge News: More Seniors in the Workforce](https://boardvoice.ca/2013/08/14/maple-ridge-news-more-seniors-in-the-workforce/) - How are seniors managing and planning for the future? The report Seniors in the Lower Mainland: A Snapshot of Facts and Trends by the United Way and SPARC BC tells an interesting story. Read more...

## Pages

- [](https://boardvoice.ca/) - Recent Posts BC mandate letters now posted Happy New Year! Greetings from our Co-Chairs Meet your new BC cabinet members Intimate partner violence can be life sentence for victim Huge cost to lack of support for Indigenous youth aging out of care Opinion: A harsh dilemma for BC transition houses Powerful Trevor Linden video highlights
- [](https://boardvoice.ca/contact/) - The Board Voice Society of BC is a virtual organization with members all over the province. We do not have independent office space, as our Executive Director works from a home office, but we share a legal address in Victoria with the Federation of Community Social Services of BC. Here is our mailing address: Board
- [Board Voice newsletters](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/board-voice-newsletters/) - Board Voice newsletters and e-bulletins are sent to our members and other supporters who we think will want to stay in the loop on our work and the issues of our members, and are posted here. We love being able to share the news that matters with our members and their networks. Keep coming back
- [Newsletter archives](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/board-voice-newsletters/newsletter-archives/) - Newsletters 2022 Winter 2022 Fall 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 Newsletters 2021 Winter 2021 October 2021 September 2021 Summer 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 Newsletters 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 Newsletters 2019 September 2019 August
- [Become a Board Voice member](https://boardvoice.ca/membership/) - Making our voices heard Board Voice is the only pan-provincial community social services organization in BC working at the governance level. We are leading discussions in the non-profit community social services sector and collaborating with our members and other organizations to provide innovative approaches to challenges. We are an effective advocate for our members with
- [Ministry Mandate Letters](https://boardvoice.ca/initiatives/government-mandate-letters/) - The following are selected mandate letters for the Government of BC Executive Council for ministries that impact the non-profit community social services sector in the province, as of Jan. 16, 2025 when the letters were issued to the new cabinet under Premier David Eby. Click on the links to read the premier's mandate letter to
- [Our board members](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/) - Board Voice is fortunate to have some of the most experienced and engaged community leaders in the province as members of the Board Voice board of directors. Our board members are all also current volunteer board members of non-profits that are Board Voice member organizations and direct providers of community social services. Each director brings
- [Advocacy on brain injury caused by intimate partner violence](https://boardvoice.ca/advocacy-on-brain-injury-caused-by-intimate-partner-violence/) - Through the support of Board Voice member organization The Cridge Centre for the Family since 2021, Board Voice has been able to expand its advocacy efforts on the issue of brain injury caused by domestic violence. Brain injury from intimate partner violence - IPV-BI - is not a new issue by any means. But awareness
- [Building Better Boards](https://boardvoice.ca/building-better-boards/) - Board Voice operates a provincial peer-to-peer training initiative focused on strengthening and bringing together the volunteer boards that govern B.C.'s community social service non-profit organizations. "Building Better Boards: Governance for an Adaptable, Resilient Social Sector" was developed by Board Voice specifically for BC non-profit boards and their senior staff. The course provides five 90-minute modules
- [Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/initiatives/social-policy-framework/) - Board Voice is leading the call for the province to undertake a BC-wide public discussion on a provincial social policy framework - a plan for strengthening, prioritizing and consistently funding social health initiatives and services in our communities. (Find our summary report here.) At its essence, it's a question of the kinds of communities we
- [Board Voice Membership Forms](https://boardvoice.ca/membership-forms/) - Board Voice membership is open to any non-profit organization in BC that directly provides services within that very broad and diverse category known as "community social services." If you are an individual or an organization that does not directly provide such services but wants to support the work of Board Voice, we welcome you to
- [Annual conference](https://boardvoice.ca/initiatives/annual-conference/) - Mark your calendar for the Board Voice Conference and AGM 2024 coming up June 6-7 in Richmond! "Working Together" will be at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Richmond, and features two days of illuminating and relevant keynotes, presentations, panels and working tables focused on the issues that most matter to board directors and CEOs of non-profit
- [Our Members](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-members/) - Board Voice is proud to represent the volunteer boards of non-profit community organizations dedicated to strengthening social health in their communities through diverse and innovative services. Visit our members' sites for a powerful reminder of the many services British Columbians count on for social support. Click here for stories of the vital social services our
- [Effie Pow](https://boardvoice.ca/effie-pow/) - Effie is a development and communications professional and cultural connector working in Vancouver on the unceded traditional Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, and Musqueam territories. Since 2017, Effie has been on the Board of Directors of the Greater Vancouver Community Services Society, including as Board Chair and Committee Chair. Committed to purpose-driven governance, reconciliation, diversity, equity, and inclusion,
- [Terry Anne Boyles](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/terry-anne-boyles/) - Terry Anne is a past Co-Chair of the Board Voice Society of BC, and Past Chair of the board of directors for Family Services of Greater Vancouver. She served as a Vice-President, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan, formerly Association of Canadian Community Colleges) for over 20 years. She was responsible for the advocacy efforts of
- [Purpose and Bylaws](https://boardvoice.ca/about/bylaws/) - The Board Voice Society of BC revised its Purpose in 2021 and its Bylaws in 2022, and those revised documents were approved by the Board Voice membership at the 2021 and 2022 Annual General meetings. Purpose
- [Strategic Plans](https://boardvoice.ca/strategic-plans/) - Strategic Plan 2022-23 Year-end report on Strategic Plan 2021-22 Six-month report on Strategic Plan 2021-22 Strategic Plan 2021-22 Report to members on Strategic Plan 2020-21 Strategic plan 2020-21 Report to members on strategic plan, AGM 2019 Strategic plan 2019-20
- [Board meeting minutes 2022](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/documents-for-board-voice-board-of-directors-password-protected/board-meeting-minutes-2022/)
- [Committee membership & terms of reference](https://boardvoice.ca/committee-membership-terms-of-reference/)
- [Board Voice bylaws](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/documents-for-board-voice-board-of-directors-password-protected/board-voice-bylaws/)
- [Governance Resources](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/governance-resources/) - This page aims to provide you with diverse online board and governance resources relevant to the Canadian non-profit sector. Imagine Canada is a major resource for non-profit resources, so you'll find quite a bit of information from them on this page. This national charitable organization supports charities and non-profits in strengthening the communities they serve.
- [Louella Mathias](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/louella-mathias-2/) - Louella Mathias has more than 25 years of experience in the public, not-for-profit and post-secondary sectors. Currently Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Options Community Services, Louella is a strategic leader with a proven track record of building and leading effective cross-functional, multi-business teams, managing change while driving and implementing strategic and operational initiatives.
- [Jason Winkler](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/jason-winkler/) - Jason brings over 30 years of business experience including 16 years as a partner with Deloitte working across Canada, the US, Hong Kong (2 years living) and Iran encompassing membership on national Executive (Managing Partner, Talent), Consulting regional Leadership roles (Managing Director of Western Canada and Director of Operations, BC) as well as responsibility for
- [Eleanor Calder](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/eleanor-calder/) - Eleanor grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan, valuing community cooperation and connection to the land. Her nursing career was a vehicle that nurtured her desire to help people. As an adult learner she completed her degree in nursing and a master’s of science, focusing on Community Health Administration and Wellness Promotion. She worked in
- [David Halikowski](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/david-halikowski/) - David and his wife Ann have lived in Prince George since 1975. Prior to moving to Prince George he lived in Burnaby, BC where he was active in Provincial politics. He was appointed to the first Burnaby Landlord Tennant committee. David’s career spanned over 45 years in telecommunications and the labour movement, after his retirement
- [Carolyn Rhee-Thompson](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/carolyn-rhee-thompson/) - Carolyn is known for her values-driven and collaborative approach to identifying opportunities and process improvements and delivering strategic financial solutions primarily in non-profit environments. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA), a Certified Facilities Management professional and has completed certifications in Risk Management and Workplace Mental Health Leadership as well as holding a degree
- [Sarjeet Purewal](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/sarjeet-purewal/) - Sarjeet has worked at Pacific Community Resources Society since 2005 as a Family Counsellor/Immediate Response Program. She sits on the PCRS Board as a Staff Board Director. From 2018-2022, she was part of the Mayor's Task Force (SAFE)-Surrey Anti-Gang Family Empowerment Program. She initiated the ongoing South Asian Parents Together Program in 2005, and at
- [Understanding non-profit lobbying requirements](https://boardvoice.ca/initiatives/understanding-non-profit-lobbying-requirements/) - Requirements to report all lobbying activity involving the provincial government in BC have been in place for private businesses and corporations for a number of years, but expanded to include far more of the non-profit sector in 2020 when the old Lobbyists Registration Act was replaced by the Lobbyists Transparency Act and a new regulation
- [See you at the Board Voice conference!](https://boardvoice.ca/see-you-at-the-board-voice-conference/) - Thank you for your registration for the Board Voice 2022 conference, "Resilient Governance." We look forward to seeing you Sept. 23-24 at Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Richmond campus. Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Sept. 23 outside the Melville Centre for Dialogue. Look for the conference agenda and more details here. Got more questions? Send them
- [Board meeting minutes 2021](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/documents-for-board-voice-board-of-directors-password-protected/board-meeting-minutes-2021/)
- [Sandra Micheals](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/sandra-micheals/) - Sandra retired from WorkSafeBC after an 18-year career as a Case Manager and Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant. Prior to this work, she was employed as a Program Officer for the BC Provincial Government Women’s Secretariat, and prior to that she worked as a Rentalsman Officer for BC’s Office of the Rentalsman. Sandra held a CRCC accreditation
- [Reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples](https://boardvoice.ca/reconciliation-for-indigenous-peoples/) - Board Voice is committed to advancing reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples across our own services, processes and structures as well as through the supports and information we provide to our member organizations. As members of BC's Social Services Sector Roundtable, we report at each meeting on specific actions taken around reconciliation, using four key documents as
- [Vision, Mission and Principles](https://boardvoice.ca/about/vision-mission-and-principles/) - Vision A clear and effective voice for volunteer community-based boards supporting high-quality social services and strong, vibrant communities. Mission Statement The members of Board Voice create healthy communities and champion the value of collaborative, high quality, community-based social services to governments, communities and the social services sector. We advocate: Board Voice is an organization
- [Federal ministry mandate letters - 2022](https://boardvoice.ca/federal-ministry-mandate-letters-2022/) - Here are the mandate letters for federal cabinet ministers made available in January 2022.
- [Meeting Agenda Packages](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/documents-for-board-voice-board-of-directors-password-protected/meeting-agenda-packages/)
- [Leslie Welin](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/leslie-welin/) - Leslie’s career in education and social services spans more than 30 years, in both Alberta and BC. During that time, Leslie’s roles included coach, teacher, counsellor, board member, professor, and community leader. She believes that everyone has strengths and gifts to bring to communities and in the value of lifelong learning. Provincially, Leslie was part
- [About Board Voice](https://boardvoice.ca/about/) - The Board Voice Society of BC is a non-profit umbrella organization supporting the volunteer boards and senior staff of BC community non-profits and charities that provide the vital array of community social services aimed at well-being, inclusion, social health and connection for every British Columbian. Our members range from small non-profits to multi-million-dollar organizations, and
- [Our Work](https://boardvoice.ca/home-2/) - A voice for community Board Voice provides peer-led support, connection and advocacy for non-profit community boards throughout BC whose organizations are dedicated to supporting and strengthening social health in their communities. Together we speak out, share experiences and build on each other's strengths to make our communities better places to live, learn, work and play.
- [Manual for Board Voice Board of Directors](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/documents-for-board-voice-board-of-directors-password-protected/manual-for-board-voice-board-of-directors/) - We've uploaded the full manual below, or you can download it at this link.
- [Gerry Olund](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/gerry-olund/) - Since completing his post-secondary education, Gerry has been involved in his community and enjoys working to improve the lives of people of all ages, whether in his role as a teacher, counsellor, academic advisor, board member, coach, volunteer, mentor or community leader. His strengths are his organizational and problem-solving skills, ability to listen and to
- [Phyllis Nash](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/phyllis-nash/) - Phyllis was a practicing social worker for her entire professional career. She worked as a practitioner for 17 years (primarily in Northern BC) and as an instructor in the Social Service Worker program at Selkirk College for 22 years. She has always been interested in the work of non-profit organizations as responsive agents of change
- [Colin Gabelmann](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/colin-gabelmann/) - Colin was born in London, UK, during the Second World War. He emigrated with his mother in 1947 to join his grandfather in Osoyoos. Colin attended school in Osoyoos, Oliver and at the University of BC. Colin has had a lifelong interest in politics and was elected to the BC Legislature in 1972, representing North
- [Hardip Jhaj](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/hardip-jhaj/) - Hardip is currently a Director for two multidisciplinary healthcare companies that serve the needs of BC communities and beyond with the provision of movement-based therapeutic interventions and functional assessments. She has been recognized since 2015 as a BC Supreme Court expert witness in the fields of functional abilities evaluation and kinesiology. Hardip has more
- [Guy Duchaine](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/guy-duchaine/) - Guy’s story starts in Germany with the Canadian military, after the birth of his first daughter. She was born with cerebral damage and at one month of age, suffered a stroke that caused her to be mentally challenged. Once Guy and his spouse returned to Canada, they knew that it would be a challenge to
- [Initiatives](https://boardvoice.ca/initiatives/) - Board Voice engages in a number of province-wide initiatives that advocate for the community-based non-profit social services sector; develop and strengthen the partnership between government funders and our sector for better social care; increase the connection and collaboration of organizations in the sector; and provide peer-to-peer capacity-building for non-profit boards in BC. Ongoing and past
- [Banking documents for changing/removing signers](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/documents-for-board-voice-board-of-directors-password-protected/banking-documents-for-changing-removing-signers/) - Board Voice has a chequing account at Coast Capital Savings in Victoria. Changing/removing signers can be done at any Coast Capital branch in BC, but there are specific documents that must be taken to the bank by a director who is being added as a signer after they are signed off by two current signers.
- [Advocacy and Lobbying](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/rules-of-speaking-up-registrar-of-lobbyists-bc-the-cra/) - Non-profits and charities have an essential role and voice in shaping public policy in Canada and BC. We should not be intimidated out of that role, and certainly not because of misconceptions about the rules. Canada Revenue Agency rules limiting non-profit "political activities" were thrown out by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in July
- [Resources](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/) - Governance resources Newsletters BC social ministries mandate letters - 2021 Documents for Board Voice board of directors (password-protected) For members only (password-protected)
- [Rolling work calendar](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/documents-for-board-voice-board-of-directors-password-protected/rolling-work-calendar/) - Board work calendar 2021-22
- [Social Services Sector Roundtable](https://boardvoice.ca/initiatives/social-services-sector-roundtable/) - Board Voice is one of six BC non-profit umbrella organizations that sits at the multi-sector Social Services Sector Roundtable, formed in May 2019 under the leadership of then-Social Development and Poverty Reduction Minister Shane Simpson. The Roundtable continues to be co-ordinated and led by the SDPR Ministry. This Roundtable provides a forum for senior government
- [Community Boards in Action](https://boardvoice.ca/initiatives/community-boards-in-action/) - The Community Boards in Action Project was a two-year project (2014-16) funded by the Vancouver Foundation that involved six communities – Prince George, Victoria, Cowichan Valley, Sunshine Coast, Kelowna and Vancouver. In each of these communities, a local group of board members worked to develop a proposal for a collaborative project. A lead agency in each community directly supported the project
- [Board meeting minutes 2020](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/documents-for-board-voice-board-of-directors-password-protected/board-meeting-minutes/) - Minutes from 2020 meetings
- [Application forms and fee schedule](https://boardvoice.ca/membership/fees/) - Board Voice membership fees are based on agencies' annual revenues. Board Voice members are community-based BC non-profits providing direct services that address the social determinants of health and social care. Our associate members are organizations and individuals that support our mission and efforts to strengthen social care in BC communities under a non-profit service model,
- [Online form and payment process for Board Voice membership](https://boardvoice.ca/membership/online-form-and-payment-process-for-board-voice-membership/) - [forminator_form id="3944"]
- [Lori Gordon](https://boardvoice.ca/lori-gordon/) - Lori Gordon is a Chartered Investment Manager who lives and works in the Penticton region and has built a successful business using her perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. Providing value and professional advice to support her clients and their families has been a top priority throughout her career as an investment advisor. She is dedicated to
- [Opposition critics: Key social ministries](https://boardvoice.ca/opposition-critics-key-social-ministries/) - Here are biographies of the Opposition critics for key social ministries as announced by the BC Liberal party this week following on the heels of last week's cabinet appointments. Advanced Education, Skills Training and Sport – Coralee Oakes Coralee Oakes was elected MLA for Cariboo North in 2013, 2017, and 2020. She currently serves as
- [Craig East](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/craig-east/) - Craig is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Accountant with extensive business and public-practice experience. He is passionate about helping business, community-based organizations and individuals succeed. He became a Board Voice director in 2011 and stayed with the organization until 2020. He is the Chief Financial Officer for Primex Manufacturing Ltd. in Langley, and previously
- [History of Board Voice](https://boardvoice.ca/about/history-board-voice/) - Board Voice was incorporated as a new non-profit organization in British Columbia in 2010. Discussions regarding the role of volunteer boards of directors at the provincial level started in July 2008, when the Federation of Community Social Services (FCSSBC) called a meeting with several agency executive directors and board members to consider the creation of a non-profit
- [Barbara Brown](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/barbara-brown/) - Barbara began her professional life as a registered nurse, working in many different hospitals and clinical areas in Winnipeg, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Once her children passed toddler age, she enrolled at UBC and completed her BScN. She then began teaching at various places in the Lower Mainland - VCC, Vancouver General School of Nursing
- [Context: Heartbeat of Communities](https://boardvoice.ca/about/context-heartbeat-of-communities/) - Community-based social services are critical to the well being of children, adults, families and their communities. Governed by volunteer boards, community-based non-profit organizations provide threads of support that together weave a social fabric of safety, capacity and sustainability in towns and cities across our province. Community social services also make critical contributions to successful outcomes
- [Submissions to the BC and federal governments](https://boardvoice.ca/board-voice-submissions-to-the-provincial-government/) - June 10, 2019: Presentation to Select Standing Committee on Finance and Governance May 31, 2019: Presentation to BC Fair Wages Commission April 8, 2019: Presentation to Senate Special Committee on the Charitable Sector October 2018: Oral and written submissions to Select Standing Committee on Finance and Governance March 2018: Letter to Finance Minister Carole James re:
- [Health Ministry briefing on home support contracts](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/for-members-only/health-ministry-briefing-on-home-support-contracts/) - Board Voice executive director was invited to a briefing with the Health Ministry on April 16, 2019, to learn more about the return of home support services to health authorities. This is the information she shared with Board Voice members following that briefing. Good morning, members. Thanks to our board member Bill McMichael's broad circle
- [What Just Happened: Changes to WorkBC contracts](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/for-members-only/what-just-happened-changes-to-workbc-contracts/) - What just happened: Changes to WorkBC contracts A report to Board Voice members prepared March 13, 2019, by Board Voice Executive Director Jody Paterson The current contracts governing WorkBC employment services in the province wrap up at the end of March. When new services begin April 1, they will bring dramatic changes - to the
- [Ajit Sinha](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/ajit-sinha/) - Ajit has an extensive background in human resources in both Canada and India, having moved to Abbotsford, BC, in 2012 after working in human resources in India with companies including Alcatel-Lucent and IBM. He has been the Human Resources Manager for Home Depot Canada in South Surrey since October 2017. Previously, he was in HR
- [Beverley Rundell](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/beverley-rundell/) - Bev Rundell has worked in the British Columbia public education system for over 30 years. She began her teaching career in the Kamloops School District teaching French as a second language. Bev has had a variety of leadership experiences over her career. She was a vice principal of Vernon Secondary and was a secondary school
- [Ajit Mehat](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/ajit-mehat/) - I have a long career in leadership in both the public and private sectors, with a record of formulating strategic directions, developing key policy initiatives, and building stakeholder consensus for innovation. I live in Surrey and am on the board of the BC Association of Community Response Networks. I have a lifelong commitment to social
- [Conference 2018](https://boardvoice.ca/initiatives/annual-conference/conference-2018-highlights/) - Up to All of Us Nov. 16-17, 2018, Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, Richmond Join Board Voice for an engaging, enlightening and informative day and a half of workshops, panels, and facilitated conversations that will increase your effectiveness as a board member, provide insights and strategies into the major issues affecting BC’s community social-benefit sector, and offer
- [Community Engagement](https://boardvoice.ca/community-engagement/) - Board Voice's efforts around the development of a social policy planning framework have moved forward significantly since we wrote the following in a proposal to the Vancouver Foundation in October 2015. The foundation asked us to summarize and detail the social innovation project around community engagement that we were proposing. We think what we
- [Social Procurement](https://boardvoice.ca/resources/about-social-procurement/) - Social procurement in a nutshell is the leveraging of procurement dollars to generate a value-added social impact. Here's how Imagine Canada defines it: Social procurement (often referred to as social purchasing) is essentially buying contracts for goods and services from social enterprises, with the intention of making a positive social impact, be it job creation
- [Dawn Hemingway](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/dawn-hemingway/) - Dawn Hemingway is a long time community activist who has resided in Prince George for more than 20 years. Dawn is Chair and Associate Professor in the University of Northern BC School of Social Work, focusing her research and teaching on community-based organizing and policy development, including health and quality of life in northern communities.
- [Supporting documents - Social Policy Planning Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/initiatives/social-policy-framework/supporting-documents-social-policy-planning-framework/) - Here are links to supporting and background documents and media coverage in Board Voice's ongoing efforts to see a social policy planning framework developed for British Columbia: "There is a Better Way," the declaration drafted by five Vancouver area Community Social Service organizations in June 2013. SPF Statement on Letterhead Canadian Index of Wellbeing - University
- [William (Bill) McMichael](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/william-bill-mcmichael/) - Bill retired from UBC in 2012, after 35 years teaching socio-linguistics and research methodology in the Faculty of Education. It was a calculated move from the ivory towers of academia back to the front line of his 40-year involvement as a community educator at the local, regional, national and international levels of the voluntary sector.
- [Terry Moist](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/terry-moist/) - Terry Moist has been an active board member with the John Howard Society of North Island for more than three decades, and is currently chair of the board. Centred in Campbell River with an office in Courtenay, JHSNI provides preventive and supportive services primarily to youth in those communities, as well as some services
- [Susan Witter](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/susan-witter/) - Susan Witter worked in the British Columbia public post-secondary system for more than 30 years within four BC colleges and universities, where she held a number of senior leadership positions. She was appointed President of Douglas College in 1997 and held this position for 14 years. During her time at Douglas College, Susan had the
- [Brenda Benedict](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/brenda-benedict/) - Brenda was born in North Vancouver and now lives in Mission, BC. She is married with two children. She has worked at Vancity Credit Union since 1982, in a number of positions from teller to Assistant Branch Manager. She is currently a regional compliance analyst with Vancity. She has been a board member with Abbotsford Community
- [David Rand](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/david-rand/) - David has served many years as a Board Director of the Cridge Centre for the Family, as well as the James Bay Community Project in Victoria. He has also served as Director of Food Distribution for the Living Edge Community Church Society in cooperation with a local Community Centre. He was founding chair of the
- [Meghan Currie](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/meghan-currie/) - Meghan Currie, BA (Human Geography), is a passionate advocate who works with diverse cultural populations and multi-generational groups toward promoting greater equity, diversity and inclusion for all. Meghan is the Inclusive Technology Lab Coordinator at the University of BC, and the Research & Enforcement Officer for the New Tree Fruit Varieties Development (Ambrosia) Council. Her
- [Ron Birch](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/ron-birch/) - Ron Birch, who represents North Okanagan Youth and Family Services on the Board Voice Board of Directors, recalls his introduction to social services as occurring when he responded to an article in his local paper about a program for the street clinic in his community of Vernon. They were asking for donations to support the
- [Doug Hayman](https://boardvoice.ca/doug-hayman/) - Doug Hayman is the former - and founding - executive coordinator of the Board Voice Society of B.C. After attending Carleton University and the University of Stockholm, Doug received his MSW from the University of British Columbia.Doug had a long career with the Ministry of Community and Social Services in Ontario where he became the
- [Michael Davis](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/michael-davis/) - An award-winning strategist, Michael is focused on the conversations that take place in the public realm, at the intersection of government and public, non-profit and corporate. He specializes in assisting organizations at the governance level, with their strategic planning for communicating and engaging, and ensuring these high level deliberations translate into action. Michael has experience designing and
- [Robin Turnill](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/robin-turnill/) - Robin has 15 years of management and consulting experience in both the public and private sector. She was the previous Chief Operating Officer of Greater Vancouver Community Services Society, and has held a number of senior level Human Resources and Labour Relations roles in her career. She is currently an Instructor in the School of
- [Rick Marshall](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/rick-marshall/) - Rick Marshall has been with the Ministry of Health for more than twenty years and is currently the Associate Director of Policy. Prior to this Rick worked for several years in non-profit service agencies in Manitoba and Victoria. Rick has served on Boards of various non-profit social service organizations, including the Victoria Native Friendship Centre,
- [Lynn Malinsky](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/lynn-malinsky/) - Lynn Malinsky lives her passion for health promotion through community-based initiatives, teaching, and consultation in the areas of community capacity building, research and evaluation, community activism and strategic planning. She believes promoting health is as much about changing social relations and enabling people to increase control over the determinants of health, as it is about
- [Lynn Carter](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/lynn-carter/) - Ms. Carter is a long-term board member and President of the Board of Greater Vancouver Community Social Services. She has successfully guided that Society through significant growth and change. Ms. Carter has over 30 years experience in the social services and educational sectors, and has worked at Langara College since 1982 as an Instructor and Chair
- [Judy Pollard](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/judy-pollard/) - Judy Pollard has more than 40 years of a teacher, Early Childhood Educator, college instructor, program director, and department head, as well as on numerous local, provincial and national organizations have given Judy rich opportunities to see the world from many perspectives and to develop and practice leadership in a variety of ways. Since
- [Alyson Hagen Johnson](https://boardvoice.ca/about/our-board-members/alyson-hagen-johnson-2/) - Alyson Hagen Johnson has been president of North Island Community Services Society in Port McNeill, which operates a volunteer transportation system and the public transit system, for more than 11 years. She is active in other community organizations, including the Mount Waddington Health Network, a grassroots with at least 200 participants that works on the
- [BC Social Reports](https://boardvoice.ca/initiatives/bc-social-reports/) - The Concept What is measured matters. And conversely, what is not measured rarely gets the attention or resources to correct it. With this in mind, Board Voice is proposing that the Community Social Service sector and others work together to aggregate available data into a single point annual report to help draw attention to some
- [There is a Better Way: A BC Framework for Wellbeing](https://boardvoice.ca/there-is-a-better-way-a-bc-framework-for-wellbeing/) - Starting in early 2017, Board Voice and our Partners (FCSSBC, BCASW, UBCM, Volunteer BC, BCCRN, BCGEU), will be in 15 communities conducting our community consultations! More information about the project can be found here: There is a Better Way A BC Framework for Wellbeing Click here for more information on the project and social policy frameworks.
- [Cancellation Policy](https://boardvoice.ca/cancellation-policy/) - CANCELLATION POLICY The last day to cancel registration and receive a refund is November 4, 2017. After this date, registrants who cancel OR do not attend will remain responsible for payment of the full registration fee and will be invoiced as needed. PLEASE NOTE: Credit Card payment is not accepted at the door. There will be
- [Community Leads](https://boardvoice.ca/community-leads/) - Board Voice Recruitment Documents BV Two-pager: BV Two-Pager final Aug 2015 BV One-pager: BV Join Up Letter - Final (July 8, 2015) Setting up a Meeting in your Community Toolkit for Community Engagement June 07, 2015 Meeting Contact Information Sheet Examples and Templates for your meetings: AFSA-Board-Pres-Invitation Boards Together Agenda - Nov 30, 2014 Revised Membership
- [Regional News](https://boardvoice.ca/regional-news/)
- [Christine Thomas](https://boardvoice.ca/christine-thomas/) - Christine Thomas is the Executive Coordinator of the Board Voice Society of BC. As a native Calgarian (a very rare thing), Christine grew up spending lots of time in the Rocky Mountains in both winter and summer. Christine completed her BA in History at the University of Calgary. She then went on to complete an

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://boardvoice.ca/category/uncategorized/)
- [Social Policy Framework](https://boardvoice.ca/category/social-policy-framework/)
- [Governance](https://boardvoice.ca/category/governance/)
- [Board Voice Position Statements](https://boardvoice.ca/category/position-statement/)
- [Funding](https://boardvoice.ca/category/funding/)
- [In the Media](https://boardvoice.ca/category/in-the-media/)
- [Annual General Meetings](https://boardvoice.ca/category/agm/)
- [Conference 2014](https://boardvoice.ca/category/2014-annual-conference/)
- [BC Social Reports](https://boardvoice.ca/category/bc-social-reports/)
- [Conference 2015](https://boardvoice.ca/category/2015-conference/)
- [Political Activity](https://boardvoice.ca/category/political-activity/)
- [Conference 2016](https://boardvoice.ca/category/2016-annual-conference/)
- [Conference 2017](https://boardvoice.ca/category/2017-annual-conferenceagm/)
- [There is a Better Way: A BC Framework for Wellbeing](https://boardvoice.ca/category/there-is-a-better-way-a-bc-framework-for-wellbeing/)
- [Mandate Letters](https://boardvoice.ca/category/mandate-letters/)
- [Fair Wage Commission](https://boardvoice.ca/category/fair-wage-commission/)
- [Poverty Reduction Strategy Committee](https://boardvoice.ca/category/poverty-reduction-strategy-committee/)
- [BC Politics](https://boardvoice.ca/category/bc-politics/)
- [Charity sector news](https://boardvoice.ca/category/imagine-canada/)
- [Budget cuts](https://boardvoice.ca/category/budget-cuts/)
- [Conference 2018](https://boardvoice.ca/category/2018conference/)
- [Member conferences and events](https://boardvoice.ca/category/member-conferences-and-events/)
- [Procurement](https://boardvoice.ca/category/procurement/)
- [Wage inequity](https://boardvoice.ca/category/wage-inequity/)
- [Social Services Roundtable](https://boardvoice.ca/category/social-services-roundtable/) - Board Voice is one of six umbrella groups sitting at the Provincial Social Services Roundtable created by the BC government in May 2019.
- [Conference 2019](https://boardvoice.ca/category/2019-conference/)
- [#Nonprofitsdoitbetter](https://boardvoice.ca/category/nonprofitsdoitbetter/)
- [COVID-19](https://boardvoice.ca/category/covid-19/)
- [Work Safety](https://boardvoice.ca/category/work-safety/)
- [Our people](https://boardvoice.ca/category/our-people/)
- [Board Development](https://boardvoice.ca/category/board-development/)
- [Indigenous News](https://boardvoice.ca/category/indigenous-news/)
- [Federal Politics](https://boardvoice.ca/category/federal-politics/)
- [Truth and Reconciliation](https://boardvoice.ca/category/indigenous-news/truth-and-reconciliation/)
- [Intimate Partner Violence & Brain Injury](https://boardvoice.ca/category/intimate-partner-violence-brain-injury/)

## Tags

- [Social Determinants of Health](https://boardvoice.ca/tag/social-determinants-of-health/)
- [SPF](https://boardvoice.ca/tag/spf/)
- [BC](https://boardvoice.ca/tag/bc/)
- [Social Policy](https://boardvoice.ca/tag/social-policy/)
- [Dr. Trevor Hancock](https://boardvoice.ca/tag/dr-trevor-hancock/)
- [BC Chamber of Commerce](https://boardvoice.ca/tag/bc-chamber-of-commerce/)
- [Surrey Board of Trade](https://boardvoice.ca/tag/surrey-board-of-trade/)
- [Announcements](https://boardvoice.ca/tag/announcements/)
- [toxic drugs](https://boardvoice.ca/tag/toxic-drugs/)