Rebecca A. Vermeer, President
MSc Chemistry, University of Alberta; MA Economics, University of Victoria
Rebecca ia a retired economist and policy advisor with 16 years experience in policy development with BC Ferries and BC government ministries including Finance, Health and Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources. She served as Councillor in North Saanich for 2 terms. She is an Abbeyfield Canada Board member; the founding president of St. Andrew’s Abbeyfield and Saanich Peninsula Abbeyfield Housing Society; a Rotarian; a member and past Director of the Bazan Bay Community Association; and has lived in North Saanich for 36 years. Internationally, she is working towards introducing Abbeyfield in the Philippines and is the founder and driving force behind the eco-KALAN Project in that country. The eco-KALAN Project is a Partner with the United Nations Foundation's Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.
Gwen M. Fletcher, Vice-President and Secretary
Chairperson, St. Andrew’s Abbeyfield Housing Society
Gwen’s experience as a Registered Nurse, Director of Nursing, Hospital Associate Executive Director and Executive Director of the Victoria Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba spans 35 years. She is a Board member for Abbeyfield Canada and the British Columbia Trust Society and one of the Incorporating Directors for the Saanich Peninsula Abbeyfield Housing Society. She was the Chair for BC Abbeyfield Chapter in 2009-2010. Gwen moved to Sidney, BC in 1989 where she quickly volunteered her time at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Extended Care Unit visiting residents and supervising the High School Candy Stripers (student volunteers). She was also a volunteer for the Peninsula Celebrations Society and the Peninsula Emergency Measures organization.
Ralph Gillis, Treasurer
Ralph recently retired after working in municipal government for 33 years, the last 24 as the Director of Financial Services for the District of North Saanich. He is an active member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic church and on the executive of the Knights of Columbus. Most of his spare time is spent volunteering for charitable functions with the Knights of Columbus. Ralph and his wife Kathy have lived in the Sidney area for 18 years.
Daniel J. Rippin, Assistant Treasurer
Retired Certified General Accountant
Dan was the administrator of Rest Haven Lodge, a 75-bed Complex Care facility in Sidney for 19years. He served as a Board member and Treasurer of the Peninsula Community Association (now Beacon Community Services) from 1983-1987. Dan has been a member of the Rest Haven Board and is an active member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in North Saanich. A long standing member of the Sidney Rotary Club since 1973, Dan has held the position of Treasurer, Secretary and President of the Club. Dan and his wife, Beverly, have lived in North Saanich for 37 years.
Dr. Roger Hind, Director
Dr. Hind is a Victoria native and currently resides in the Sidney area with his wife, Shirley, and 4 children. He maintains strong ties to the community by volunteering at Sidney Rotary events, schools, and Peninsula community events. He is the Sidney Rotary Club President for 2011-2012. He graduated in 1985 from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Faculty of Dentistry after completing an Undergraduate Science degree from UBC. He is a member of and has served on committees of the Canadian Dental Association and the Victoria and District Dental Society.
Verne Stables, Director
Verne worked with the RCMP for 24 years in various functions including detachment duties, highway patrol, and managing crime index sections in Winnipeg and Vancouver. At the time he went to pension, he was in charge of the Firearms Registration Section in Ottawa. After retiring from the RCMP, Verne worked with the BC Ministry of the Attorney General as Deputy Registrar with the Security Programs Division which regulated the private security industry in BC. A long standing member of the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church since 1978, he served on the Parish Council for 3 terms; was President of the Holy Trinity/St. Andrew’s Men’s Club; and is actively involved in the St. Andrew’s Coffee and Neighbours Soup Kitchen ministries and sidesmen’s duties. Verne and his wife, Lynn, have lived in Dean Park Estates, North Saanich for 35 years.
Rev. Osita Oluigbo, Director Rector of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church
Osita was born in Nigeria. He received University and Theological training in Nigeria and ordained into priesthood of the Anglican Church in 1992. He has ministry experiences in Maracaibo, Venezuela and Milwaukee, Wisconsin before moving to Canada in 2008. He is the Dean for the Haro Region of the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia. The Haro Region includes all the Anglican churches in North Saanich, Sidney, Central Saanich and the Gulf Islands – Salt Spring, Mayne, Pender, Galiano and Saturna. He is married to Jennifer and they have three boys.
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