NOTE: This page is under construction
The Social Planning Council has a dedicated Board of Directors and staff who are responsible for the organizational business of the Social Planning Council.
Meet Our Board Members
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Co-Chair: Shannon Thom
Customized Employment Consultant & Self-Employment Liaison with Horton Ventures (d.ba. WorkBC Centre Williams Lake) Shannon's expertise as a Certified Career Development Professional allows her to contribute insight into the needs and challenges of our local labour market. As a member of the board Shannon feels the mission, vision, and values of SPC align with the work she does and her personal values; becoming a director was a natural fit for her. When asked what poverty reduction in Williams Lake means to her she stated, "Everyone in our community has enough: time, money, access, education, support, and resources. |
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Secretary/Interim Treasurer: Carla Bullinger
Literacy Outreach Coordinator with the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy Carla has worked in the field of literacy and community development for almost 30 years: as a literacy practitioner; executive director; program developer and manager; and as a community engagement facilitator and collaborator. She has served on number of different boards, at a national, provincial and local level. She is a life-long learner and passionate about life. She cares deeply about the work she does and the people she works with. As a member of the board Carla understands literacy and social and economic development are intrinsically linked. Literacy is the great enabler. She believes the literacy skills we develop underpin all our learning and have a profound impact on our life choices and opportunities for success. She wants to make sure we embed this literacy lens when we engage in discussions or plan projects. When asked what poverty reduction in Williams Lake means to her, Carla shared, "Poverty reduction means creating the conditions so that people have the resources, means, choices, and opportunities to maintain self sufficiency and a quality of life that supports basic needs, dignity, and meaningful participation in the community. Literacy is a foundational building block in helping lift people out of poverty." |
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Director: Christa Smith
Executive Director at Denisiqi Services Society Christa brings 20 years of business experience and over 10 years in the social services sector. She has worked in governance and leadership as well as supported large scale projects and provincial initiatives. As a member of the board Christa is passionate about supporting the community, giving back, and helping to be part of the change. When asked what poverty reduction in Williams Lake means to her she stated, "It means looking at systemic issues and solutions to get at the heart of the problem not just applying short term solutions or band aids but addressing it." |
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Director: Craig Glover
Manager of Financial Planning with the Williams Lake and District Credit Union Craig recently completed a Masters in Business Administration with a focus on Social Enterprise Leadership. He has a history of volunteerism in the community delivering financial literacy in different capacities to different groups of people. Being involved in the community where he lives is important to Craig. He finds it rewarding to be on the board giving back and helping others. When asked what poverty reduction in Williams Lake means to him, Craig shared, "Helping and enabling those that need help to attain a standard of living that they can be proud of. Through education, support, and assistance we can create opportunities for inclusivity and community engagement for everyone." Craig shared he is always happy to help and educate anyone that is willing to learn, while seeking to understand and appreciate where and why help is required. |
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Director: Melissa Newberry
Marketing, Student Recruitment, and Events Coordinator with Thompson Rivers University - Williams Lake Campus Melissa brings expertise in board governance, policy development, and a broad knowledge of community groups. As a former director and member of the Social Planning Council Melissa is happy to be able to join the Board again. She believes the work SPC does is a great value to the community. When asked what poverty reduction in Williams Lake means to her Melissa stated, "Addressing issues of housing, food insecurity, and encouraging employers to offer a living wage to employees." |
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Director: Silvia Seibert-Dubray
Well-Being & Safety Plan Coordinator with the City of Williams Lake Silvia's expertise comes from working with many families in need in our community. She has led and coordinated many projects as a Director and Principal for SD27 that have encourage and support healthy changes in lives of many individuals. Silvia has also collaborated with several community organizations to provide Mental Wellness support after the 2017 Fires. She brings a vast knowledge of our Cariboo Chilcotin region, having been born and raised here, she has a massive yearning to make our area a healthy thriving safe community for all. Silvia chose to become a director for the SPC as she has learned a lot about the needs in our City and region and would like to help make a difference to families in the Cariboo Chilcotin. She worked for SD27 for 33 years and knows many of the families in Williams Lake and the surrounding area. Silvia believes the more we can all work together and coordinate efforts to help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of all our citizens; the healthier community we can all build together. When asked what poverty reduction in Williams Lake means to her, Silvia stated, "Poverty reduction to me means working together collaboratively to help support systemic growth where real change can be seen and felt for individuals in our region that struggle with poverty. It means going upstream to provide services and education that will truly change the quality of life for people and put them on a more positive trajectory. It begins by assembling all our community resources and together constructing a new approach to help reduce poverty in our region." Silvia looks forward to working with the other directors and Laurie as the new Executive Director. |
Meet Our Staff
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"Laurie Walters: Executive Director, Social Planning Council of Williams Lake and Area & PASS Program (Planning a Successful Succession) Coordinator with Community Futures Cariboo Chilcotin
Laurie's expertise lies in her ability to work with others and her connections with many people in Williams Lake and area. Being a city councillor for 10 years having the Social services as her portfolio provided her with experience and history of the social fabric in our community from a government and advocacy lens. When asked why she chose to work with the SPC as the Executive Director, Laurie stated, "I wanted to work for an organization where I could be a part of enhancing, encouraging, and supporting social and economic development for residents in Williams Lake and area." Laurie's role as Executive Director means she can work with non-profit organizations who are making an incredible difference in enhancing the social well-being of Williams Lake and area. |
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Barb Jones: Facilitator, Communities That Care
& Registered Social Worker at Vantage Living, Cariboo Place & rostered Mediator of B Jones Mediation Barb is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in long term care, a rostered family/elder mediator with Mediate BC and rostered with the BC Hear the Child Society to provide Hear the Child Reports for families involved in family court. Barb works with conflict analysis and in management. When asked why she chose to work with the SPC as the Facilitator for Communities that Care, Barb shared, "I am born and raised in Williams Lake and proud to say so are all my children and grandchildren! My roots and family are deeply imbedded in this community, and I have a vested interest in making Williams Lake a place where children and families to thrive. Working with SPC and Communities That Cares allows me to apply my passion for collaborative processes at a community level and make a positive difference for children, youth and families." Barb has 25 plus years working in Williams Lake and area and a strong understanding of the community agencies and supports. Her role as a facilitator with CTC means she can be involved in a collaborative process and work with others towards the common goal of making our community a great place to live. |
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Bree Odd: Communications Coordinator
Social Planning Council of Williams Lake and Area & Cariboo Educator with the BC Schizophrenia Society Bree is also the Cariboo Educator with the BC Schizophrenia Society, providing support to families and friends who have a loved one living with a serious mental illness. When asked why she chose to work with the SPC Bree stated, "As a prior director with the board I understand the important work the SPC and its team does in the community. When the position came up I knew it was a good fit and jumped on it." Bree has dedicated her career to providing support to children, youth, adults, seniors, colleagues, and friends. As a facilitator/educator she has provided hundreds of workshops on topics from building employment and computer skills to serious mental illnesses, self-care, and compassion in the workplace. Her experiences over the years have provided her with opportunities to build open, honest relationships with those around her. Bree is a continuous learner and wants to share information and knowledge wherever she can. In her role as the communications coordinator with the SPC Bree enjoys meeting like minded people in the community and opportunities to be collaborative. Her goal is to help reduce poverty by providing support to the SPC team and community members where she can. Bree acknowledges the importance of including those with lived experience in planning and developing inclusive healthy communities, she wants to ensure their voices are heard. |
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Brianna van de Wijngaard: Project Lead, The Central Cariboo Community Food Hub
& Owner operator Puddle Produce Farm Brianna also works for the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society, helping to coordinate events, outreach materials, and administrative support. During the summer months, she owns and operates a 1.5 acre certified organic vegetable farm business out of Soda Creek – Puddle Produce Farm. When asked why she chose to work with the SPC as the Project Coordinator of the Food Hub Brianna stated, "I am very passionate about non-profit work, and local food system work. It seemed like a great fit to which I could hopefully contribute some valuable skills and experience, while also gaining new and important experience in poverty reduction strategies as they relate to food security." Brianna has been working in the non-profit sector for about 15 years and in the local food system sector for 10 years, as a small scale farm operator. Her role as the project lead with the Food Hub is very fulfilling because not only does she have the opportunity to apply existing skills, she is learning so much about the impacts of food insecurity and poverty, and how we can improve our food system for many members of our community. |
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Social Planning Council of Williams Lake & Area
266 Oliver Street, Williams Lake, BC V2G 1M1 |
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