Thank You Outgoing Community Advisory Board Members!

Every fall Gordon Neighbourhood House convenes members for our Annual General Meeting (AGM). The meeting is a great opportunity to reflect on all of the amazing outcomes we have achieved together, discuss plans for the months ahead, and elect a new Community Advisory Board (CAB). The AGM is also the final meeting for outgoing CAB members who have finished their terms with us.

This year five amazing Community Advisory Board Members are finishing their terms: Co-Chair Kathryn Fitzgerald, Micah Goldberg, Graham Ramsay, and Willie Ng.

Board service is one of the most complex volunteer roles at our organization, and these dedicated volunteers tirelessly gave their time and energy to fulfill the important role of prudent stewards of our organization.

In addition to monthly Board meetings and sub-committee meetings, Board members participated at strategic retreats, helped coordinate community initiatives, and attended many special events. The 2019-2020 fiscal year was full of challenges, and our board distinguished themselves by representing community interests, carefully deliberating complex issues, and making difficult decisions.

“The Community Board is responsible for values-based leadership of the House. This Board was responsible for stewarding our organization through numerous extenuating circumstances, most notably the onset of COVID-19. We are grateful for their principled, strategic and creative guidance and wish each departing member the best in their new endeavors,” stated Executive Director Siobhan Powlowski.

Kathryn Fitzgerald has served on the Community Advisory Board for several years, and most recently fulfilled the role of Co-Chair with Dan Watson after previous Board Chair James Kim stepped down in 2019 after many years of service. Kathryn is an active community builder, and supported tremendous growth and change by all measures during her time on the Board.

Micah Goldberg served on the CAB for several years, and has supported many neighbourhood programs and initiatives. During his time with us Micah hosted a community consultation for a proposed parklet on Davie Street, and was instrumental along with other stakeholders in planning a mayoral forum for the 2018 Vancouver municipal election. The event attracted over 400 attendees at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, and was simulcast live on local TV networks.

Graham Ramsay served one term as Secretary on the CAB, and brought a keen strategic eye to developing our sustainability plan. We wish him well in his retirement in his tiny home on Gabriola Island.

Willie Ng and Daniela Guerrero Rodriguez both served one term on the CAB. In addition to his Board role, Willie is a member of the Young Ideas group at GNH, and was instrumental in piloting and planning many innovative art and outdoor community events. Willie was tremendously creative and brought his artist’s eye to all issues big and small presented to the board.

We wish to express our profound gratitude to all of the outgoing Board Members for their service, and look forward to advancing our shared goals in the years to come. If you are interested in joining the Community Advisory Board, please email siobhan@gordonhouse.org.