Thank you for your support of SOS Thrift Shop, you are supporting vital SOS community programs! Thrift Shop Donation Drop-Off Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 am - 2 pm. Shopping Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 4 pm.
Your opportunity to make time for, and work on, yourself starts this Fall at SOS. There are two Personal Growth Sessions starting in September, 2017. The cost for both are $5 per session, and the remainder of the costs are subsidized by SOS. Call 250-248-2093 ext. 225 to register. For more information email counselling@sosd69.com
Women’s Personal Growth at SOS in Parksville. Sept. 6 – Nov. 22, 2017 6:30-8:30 pm. Exploring self-esteem, personal boundaries, communication, healthy relationships, forgiveness, conflict resolution, and problem solving.
Men’s Personal Growth at Qualicum Commons, Thursdays, Sept. 21-Dec.7, 2017, 7-9 pm. Discover four windows to self-exploration, understand your anger and conflict style, gain effective communication skills, find your voice within relationships, and develop a deeper sense of purpose.
The SOS has three new board members who will help set direction for the non-profit organization. SOS has been working for 49 years in Parksville Qualicum Beach to provide support to residents and deliver relevant, community-based programs and services.
New SOS director Joshua Dennis moved to the area from North Eastern BC and works as an IT Consultant. Some of the areas where he has previously volunteered include Thailand after the 2004 Tsunami, he recently set up a computer lab in a school in Myanmar, and he is working to retrofit dozens of other schools with modern computer technology.
Don Luke worked in telecommunications for 40 years, before moving to Parksville in 2000. While working in Ontario, he joined Revenue Canada’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, and has continued that work with SOS. Luke was presented with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers this year, in recognition of his contributions to this community.
Paul Ruffell was born and raised in the United Kingdom, where he received his engineering degree. He came to Canada in 1981 and worked in the Arctic for a decade. He became president and CEO of an Engineering Consulting firm based in Western Canada, and eventually led an Infrastructure group with 3,500 staff across Canada.
Garry Cox was re-elected to continue his role as the Chair of the SOS Board, Martin Fereday will continue to serve his two-year term and was elected as First Vice Chair, Elaine McKinlay was re-elected and will serve as Second Vice Chair. Jennifer Mullett was re-elected to the board, as well as Barbara Price. The following directors will continue to fulfil their two-year terms: Gordon Ball, Don Dempson and Pamela May-Straka. Renate Sutherland will stay on as Executive Director until January 2018.
Photo caption: Photo by Bill Trace The new SOS board, back row from left to right, Jennifer Mullett, Pamela May-Straka, Don Luke, Renate Sutherland, Paul Ruffell, Barbara Price and Elaine McKinlay. Front row from left, Don Dempson, Gordon Ball, Garry Cox, Joshua Dennis and Martin Fereday.
We won! Our thanks to all the amazing volunteers and program participants who joined us on Canada Day and helped us win 1st place in the Community Entry Category! And thanks to all of you in the crowd who cheered us on with so much enthusiasm. What a great way to celebrate our country.
Join SOS for our Annual General Meeting on June 22 at 7 p.m. Members will elect new directors, our new Annual Report will be revealed, and audited financial statements will be presented. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by June 16, 2017, to the SOS Administration Office 250-248-2093 ext. 0. The AGM will take place at the SOS Child, Youth & Family Centre at 245 West Hirst Ave.
It was a fun-filled day, packed with action at Qualicum Beach Family Day this year. We were thrilled to be part of the parade and win second place for Community Spirit! Thanks to all the families who came and had fun with us at our booth. What a wonderful event for our community.
SOS is celebrating Youth Week this week! We believe strongly in supporting our Youth and giving them the tools and resources they need to thrive. During Youth Week our School Nite Out Group checked out Airhouse Nanaimo Trampoline Centre and we had a blast (evident in our photos)! And our Teen Nite and Youth Open Space programs will be doing wonderfully crafty projects this week.
