Naramata Centre's Board of Directors
An active Board of Directors governs Naramata Centre through the development and monitoring of governance policies. Collectively, board members serve as stewards of the Centre on behalf of the people who value and love it.
The board sets direction for the Centre, confirms the vision and mission, and establishes the long-term goals to be achieved. This work is done in consultation with the management team and others involved with the Centre.
Based on the direction established, the board, executive director and other managers collaborate to develop a strategic plan for the Centre, which is updated each year. Strategic Plan
The board’s role is based on the Carver model of board governance
Photo: Naramata Centre Board of Directors 2008-2009
Board Membership
The Board of Directors is made up of people from Alberta and B.C. who are passionate about Naramata Centre. We strive to maintain a balance among gender, age, and provincial representation, as well as the skill sets required for an effective board.
Board members are elected to a three-year term with the possibility of one further term of up to three years. The board meets four times each year at the Centre, typically in January, April, June and October.
Current board members:
Rosemary Best, Abbotsford, BC
Rosemary is a Registered Dietitian, and has recently retired from a life-long career in health care management. She grew up in the United Church and currently is an active member at Gladwin Heights United Church in Abbotsford. Her involvement with Naramata Centre began in the summer of 1992, and she has attended events at the Centre every year since. Rosemary is a "constant knitter" and avid gardener.
John Burton, Lake Country, BC
John is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Management at UBC Okanagan teaching Business Ethics, Conflict Resolution and Leadership. A United Church minister currently without pastoral appointment, John serves the church as a Mediator, providing conflict intervention and training, as a member of national committees and as a volunteer with his local presbytery. John and his wife Heather first attended Naramata in 1995 with their son Chris.
Jennifer Chocholacek, Calgary, AB - Board Secretary/Treasurer
Jennifer is an administrator of Alberta gross royalty trusts. She first experienced Naramata Centre in 2004 as a Winter Session participant. She joined the board the following year. Jennifer lives in Calgary with her husband Arthur.
Alan Ford, Camrose, AB
Alan and his wife are active members at Camrose United Church and longtime supporters of the Centre. Alan likes to cycle and run, and when the snow comes he's a determined cross-country skier.
Wilma Giesbrecht, Carbon, AB
Wilma is a Healing Pathway instructor and a member of the Centre's Healing Pathway advisory team. She has been an active lay person in the United Church in her congregation, presbytery and conference for over 30 years. Wilma and her husband have built and facilitated leadership in the Labyrinth movement since 2000.
Ken Fanning, Parksville, BC
Ken retired after several years in senior positions in CIBC (Human Resources, Operations, Finance and General Management). His connection to Naramata Centre dates back 30+ years. A lifetime member of the United Church, Ken has been active at the congregation, presbytery and conference levels in both BC and Alberta. He and his wife, Phyllis, are active members of Knox United and he also serves on the executive of Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery as Vice Chair. Ken’s involvement in the community has included the United Way, the Board of Calgary Family Services, and currently the local Probus Club, Strata Council and CIBC Retirees.
Barbara Gregg, Surrey, BC
Barbara is a senior financial consultant working with financial planning clients. She is a member at Crescent United Church and is has been active at BC Conference as the Past Chair of the Finance Council and past member of the Executive. She is currently enthusiastically engaged in the role of Co-chair of the Capital Campaign for Naramata Centre.
Judy Hutchinson, St. Albert, AB
Judy is a director in the Government of Alberta. With a background in communications, she currently leads a branch that develops print and online information resources on career, employment and workplace topics. Judy’s involvement with Naramata Centre began as a participant in Winter Session. Since then, she, her husband Rob and their two sons have enjoyed many summer programs.
Wade Lifton, Burnaby, BC
Wade is the Children and Youth Minister with Mount Seymour United Church in North Vancouver and co-founder of theWATERproject.ca. He has been a participant and leader at Naramata Centre for more than 15 years, and is grateful for the grounding presence of this spiritual home.
Michael Loewen, Kelowna, BC
Michael has worked as a program coordinator with Okanagan Families, and served as Executive Director of the United Way from 1999 to 2005. Michael now provides professional consultation and training to the voluntary sector through his company, Building Better Boards. He has served on many boards including the Elizabeth Fry Society, Sunshine Theatre and the Royal Canadian Legion. He is a member and past president of the Kelowna Rotary Club and has chaired the City of Kelowna’s Social Planning and Housing Committee, the Homelessness Steering Committee and the Kelowna Poverty Task Force.
Jean MacLeod, Burnaby, BC
Jean is the Math Department Head at Vancouver Community College. She is active at Deer Lake United Church, serving a number of roles over the years from choir director to board chair. Until recently, she was active in Westminster Presbytery and served as its chair from 2004 – 2006. Jean is passionate about Naramata Centre and the work it does in the church and the community. She has been a participant almost yearly since 1971 and worked as a summer staff member in 1982.
John Shaw, Vancouver, BC
John has over 30 years of business, financial and project management experience and currently holds the position of Director of Special Projects, Mergers and Acquisitions for a private utility company in B.C. He is a member of Dunbar Heights United Church in Vancouver and together with his wife Heather, has two grown children and a 10-year-old foster daughter. John's family has had almost 50 years connection with Naramata Centre.
Jim Simpson, Calgary, AB - Board Chair
Jim Simpson is a senior financial executive in the oil and gas industry in Calgary, AB. He was Chair of the Alberta Branch of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada and active with the United Way. Jim has been involved in the United Church for over twenty years in a variety of musical, committee and board roles. Jim first came to Naramata as a child with his family in 1970, and has participated since 2000 with his wife Donna and their sons.
Ron Spice, Okotoks, AB - Board Vice Chair
Ron is an Assistant Professor and the Academic Rural Director in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary. He also works as a palliative care physician with Alberta Health Services’ Rural Palliative Consultation Team in the area south of Calgary. Ron is a member of Arrowwood United Church and has attended Naramata Centre programs for over a decade. He is married to Lee, a United Church minister. Together they enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits.
Doug Woollard, Delta, BC - Past Board Chair
Doug is committed to a thriving Naramata Centre, which adds value to the lives of people who come to the Centre, as it has for Doug and his family. Doug is a vice-president with Community Living BC, which supports people with developmental disabilities and their families. He has extensive experience and skills in contract negotiation, human resources, project, budget and fiscal management. Doug lives in Delta, BC with his wife Sheila.
