“The Board has a culture of respect, trust, and engagement. Members are prepared to volunteer a significant amount of their time in order to support the work of the staff. We are very aware many people in our communities are not able to access the mental health services they need. As Directors we are committed to doing what we can to rectify this problem.”
1. What is involved in your role as President of the Board?
The Board is responsible for overseeing the governance of the organization, including its strategic development and financial management. As the President I provide leadership with core Board tasks, including the successful completion of the Annual Work Plan and our Strategic Plan 2018-2021. I work closely with the Executive Director (ED); this work includes monthly discussions regarding items the ED would like to examine, as well as conducting Helen’s annual performance review. Also, from time to time I am CMHA WW’s representative in discussions with community partners.
2. What brought you to the CMHA WW Board?
I was attracted to the opportunity for personal and professional reasons. Members of my extended family have suffered from PTSD and addictions. As a result of their experiences, I became aware of the lack of adequate mental health services and welcomed an opportunity to support CMHA WW’s work. CMHA WW was looking for a board member who was familiar with philanthropy and could contribute to the development of a culture of philanthropy within CMHA WW. My professional work involved helping non-profit organizations make significant changes in how they functioned, both in Canada and globally. The change CMHA WW was aspiring to make was something I was familiar with. Further, the opportunity came at a time when I had decided to leave full-time work and to become more involved in the community where I live.
3. How do you support people of CMHA WW in your role?
As the President I help the Directors to be engaged in a role where they can contribute to the Board’s work. Usually this involves participation in one of the standing committees or participation in CMHA WW events. My role also involves providing support to the CEO. Acting as a sounding board for questions and issues regarding CMHA WW’s strategic plan and relations with our partner organizations.
4. What are you proud of during your time at CMHA WW?
I am very impressed with the dedication of the staff to their work and the organization. The recent Accreditation with Commendation is a testimony of the staff’s strong performance. As a member of the Board, I am very proud of our dedication to CMHA WW’s Mission and Vision. We want CMHA WW to be a model of best practice for the sector.
5. What would you like people to know about being on the Board of CMHA WW?
The Board has a culture of respect, trust, and engagement. Members are prepared to volunteer a significant amount of their time in order to support the work of the staff. We are very aware many people in our communities are not able to access the mental health services they need. As Directors we are committed to doing what we can to rectify this problem.