Dear TLC Members,

I am pleased to invite you to TLC’s 2018 Annual General Meeting on Saturday, September 22 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  This year our AGM will be hosted at the Windsor Park Pavilion located at 2451 Windsor Road in Victoria.

In keeping with TLC’s bylaws, a Nominations Committee was struck to recruit candidates for the Board of Directors and to put forward candidates for the consideration of the membership. The maximum number of Directors is 13. Directors are elected for a three-year term with a limit of three consecutive terms. Terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of Directors are elected each year.

There are currently eleven Directors. Four Directors (whose terms are not ending) will be continuing. They include Fred Newhouse, Frances Pugh, Andrew Stewart and Tom Watson. There are nine positions open to nominations.  Marika Smith and Jeff Ward were appointed to the Board this spring and now stand for election. Mel Lehan, Briony Penn, Lori Roter and Frances Sloan Sainas have reached the end of their current terms and stand for re-election.

Please keep in mind the following election procedures and timetable:

·     In searching for candidates, the committee considered a range of factors, including knowledge of TLC, expertise and background, geographic location and strategic connections.

·     Following receipt of this letter, members may nominate other candidates. Further nominations are welcomed and must be received by TLC no later than July 27. They must be signed by five TLC Members and include a written confirmation from the nominee that he/she agrees to stand for election. A short biography of the nominee must also be included.

·     If we receive more nominations than the number of vacant positions, an election will be held. If the same number or fewer nominations are received than the number of vacant positions, those nominees will be elected by acclamation.

·     Should an election be required, election materials and ballots will be prepared and sent to all TLC Members in good standing. Ballots will be sent by email to each member for whom we have a valid email address and by mail to all others. Ballots will be sent by August 17. Ballots must be returned in the manner set out in the election materials. Successful candidates will be announced at the AGM.

·     Please note that to be eligible to vote you must be a member in good standing by July 3.

On behalf of the Nominations Committee I am pleased to announce the following candidates for your consideration:

Mel Lehan

Mel is a long time community activist who is interested in preserving and protecting special places. Some of his successful projects include; saving a heritage church from being torn down and then turning it into a thriving community space – St. James Community Square; preserving the character neighbourhood of West Kitsilano by getting a bylaw to stop demolition of houses in that area; helping to have part of the Point Grey Foreshore declared a a natural foreshore in perpetuity and thus not allowing development in this oasis of urban nature. Mel was also instrumental in bringing a Farmer’s Market to Kitsilano.

Briony Penn

Briony is a writer/researcher, resident of Salt Spring Island and founding Director of TLC. She has served several years on the Board of Directors; has extensive experience as volunteer, activist, attending and presenting workshops; is a regular donor and holder of Conservation Covenant on family property; and worked on Stewardship Committee developing legislation for B.C. land trusts. Briony brings to the Board her experience and skills as a consultant to land trusts for biological inventory, communications, environmental education, including 8 years with the National Trust in Britian, and a PhD in Geography on land conservation. Briony has been affiliated with many other organizations including Member of Land trust Alliance of BC; Director, Raincoast Conservation Foundation; member of Saltspring Conservancy; Environmental Advisory Committee, Islands Trust; Advisor, Child and Nature Alliance; Member, Sustainable Energy Association of B.C.

Lori Roter

Lori is a researcher, writer, project manager, artist, problem-solver and aspiring Accountant. She has over two decades of experience developing environmental land, water and public health policy for B.C. Her experience ranges from leading, coordinating and administering projects of varying sizes and scope, researching and analyzing issues to stakeholder engagement and overall human resources empowerment. She has a Masters Degree in Resources Management (Geography), Project and Risk Management Certifications enhanced with financial and accounting training from the Certified General Accountants of B.C. As current TLC Board Treasurer Lori works with the Board and staff to develop and maintain suitable practices to ensure timely forecasting and accurate reporting of cashflows and budgets, while ensuring that adequate safeguards are maintained to ensure TLC’s fiduciary responsibilities to members and donors. Lori’s other volunteer roles have included Director, UpCycle the Gyres (2013); Board Member/Chair Awareness and Development – Greater Victoria Police Victims Services (2010-12); Past President/Public Relations Director of the Vancouver Island Project Management Institute Chapter (2005-06). She is a current/past member of the World Parrot Trust, World Wildlife Fund and the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

Frances Sloan Sainas

Fran is a retired educator and former manager in the hospitality industry. Her relationship with TLC began in 2001 when she was working at the Open Learning Agency and completing her Masters Degree in Leadership and Training at Royal Roads University. TLC sponsored her major project, Building an Educational Strategy for TLC. Since 2001 Fran has been an active member, TLC Lower Mainland Committee representative and financial supporter of TLC. In 2015 Fran felt that the time had come to offer her skills, knowledge and time to help TLC explore and find a new, sustainable direction that was grounded in the organization’s founding principles and values. In 2017 she was voted Chair by TLC’s Board of Directors. Fran offers the TLC Board a variety of perspectives from TLC member, TLC donor and DIP (Debtor in Protection) funder during the CCAA Process.

Marika Smith

Marika is the Executive Director of the Victoria Compost Education Centre, a not-for-profit, charitable organization providing in-school and community educational programs for all ages on composting, soil conservation and environmental stewardship throughout Greater Victoria. She has a BSc in Biology, a Diploma in Restoration of Natural Systems from the University of Victoria and has recently completed a Masters in Environment and Management from Royal Roads University with a research focus on soil toxicology and the effects of microplastics contamination in soil ecosystems. Marika passionately believes that soil is the life support for the myriad of diverse ecosystems in our region and across the globe, and the heartbeat of all that we consume, whether it’s the nutritious food we eat, the clothes we wear or the medicines that keep us healthy.

Jeff Ward

Jeff is a retired Manager of Regional Park Planning, Resource Management and Development for the Capital Regional District. With a Master of Arts from the University of Victoria’s Department of Geography he has presented at many planning and parks conferences, instructed park planning and management courses at the United States Pacific Northwest Resource Management School, and guest lectured at the University of Victoria in the School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, and the Department of Geography. Jeff won the Planning Institute of British Columbia’s Planner of the Year and their Award for Excellence in Planning in 2002 and the Canadian Institute of Planners 2013 Award for Planning Excellence. During his free time Jeff has volunteered for the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Commission on Protected Areas, the Vancouver Island Alpine Club of Canada’s Trail Rider Program for People with Disabilities and the United States Pacific Northwest Resource Management School.

Thank you for your continued support of TLC’s conservation projects and programs. Members like you have been essential to the success of our organization throughout our 21 year history. I hope to see you at our Annual General Meeting on Saturday, September 22.

Sincerely,

Cathy Armstrong
Executive Director