New faces at SOS
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.
