Q: Is CLECS a registered charity
A: Yes.
Q: Is CLECS a volunteer organization?
A: Yes.
Q: Does CLECS have volunteer members?
A: No, there are currently no volunteer members. The membership process is under review.
Q: Can I make a charitable donation to CLECS?
A: Yes, we are very appreciative of financial contributions and will issue tax receipts for donations of $20.00 or more.
Q: Who is on the Society's Board
Terry Hale: President
I have been in Lake Cowichan since 1998 and have enjoyed living here. These past 25 years I have been employed as the Pastor of Lake Cowichan Christian Fellowship and a Bus Driver for the 79 Cowichan School District. Previously I have been a member of the Cowichan Lake Chamber of Commerce 8 years, and 6 of those years served on the executive board. I have worked with, encouraged and helped, young people most of my career, giving youth opportunity to lead in a safe environment, teaching life skills and how to go forward in careers. I bring a combination of experience, passion, and vision necessary to build a prosperous and inclusive community. I believe in affordable housing and creating economics in small towns and building relations in every aspect in the area.
Ross Forrest: Vice-President
Born and raised in Lake Cowichan. Have always been active in our community from an early age until present. Currently Vice Chairperson of Cowichan Lake Elder Care Society and a Board Member on the Cowichan Lake Forest Co-op. Served ten years as Mayor of the Town of Lake Cowichan from 2008 -2018. Extremely proud of our community and of the work CLECS is doing to acquire additional living accommodations for our elderly citizens.
Selena Hayes: Treasurer
I am proud to be a Lake Cowichan resident and Board Member of the Cowichan Lake Elder Care Society. My family has grown, worked and played in the Cowichan Valley our whole lives and I’m honored to help in creating affordable senior housing for our area residents. I’m hoping my experience and education in Business Management and Administration, my years of executive volunteering for local school and sporting societies and past and present municipal employment will bring value to our team of dedicated volunteers to help us reach the Society’s goals.
Carolyne Austin: Past Treasurer
I was born in Sidney, B.C., lived most of my young life in Esquimalt and Victoria, have two children two grandchildren and four great grandchildren. In 1983 I made the move to the Cowichan Lake area then married a wonderful Youbonian in 1985. My work experience ranges from MSP/Ministry of Health in Victoria to managerial/clerical positions in health and in the public sector and as an advertising agent for a local newspaper. It is also my privilege to be a VIU alumni following participation in a wide range of night school courses over several years. My varied experience in the community has been as a volunteer and executive member of several non-profit societies since 1984 until the present day. At present I attend Our Cowichan Community Health Network and the Eldercare Project in Cowichan meetings and volunteer at the local Island Health Unit. From 1999 to 2014 I served on several municipal government committees and I am in my third term as a Councillor with the Town of Lake Cowichan. This is my 8th year with the Cowichan Lake Elder Care Society.
Renee Vachon: Secretary
I am new to Lake Cowichan having moved from the Lower Mainland in the summer of 2024. I have always worked in the Forestry Sector and now fortunate enough to work remote, I decided, after raising a family and working in the fast pace and often stressful big city it was time for a move – a better quality of life and a slower pace. I was looking for a smaller, vibrant community and found it here in Lake Cowichan. I have always volunteered and looking for a way to be more involved in the community, I found the Cowichan Lake Elder Care Society – I love how this town is so committed to its people.
Sheila Service: Board Director
- RN St Paul’s Hospital
- Bachelor of Science Nursing UVic
- Health Care Administrator 30 years Cowichan Lodge/ Island Health
- Emergency and Business Continuity Planner Island Health 10 years
- Strategic Plan Facilitator
- Human Resource and Policy Development experience/expertise
- Parliamentarian
- Chair/Director of many Non-profit organizations over 40 years
- Chair/Director Island Savings Credit Union over 25 years.
Born, raised and educated in Ontario. Residing in Lake Cowichan for the last 11 years. Married with two daughters and two grandchildren living on beautiful Vancouver Island. Currently retired. Having worked 28 years in financial services which included managing six different Canada Trust branches and five years as a facilitator in Canada Trust Management Institute. Final employment was 10 years as the VP of Human Resources with the YMCA of Western Ontario. I have been involved with the steering group since 2016 which has evolved into the Cowichan Lake Elder Care Society of which I am the current Secretary.
Marg McGillis: Board Director
- From beautiful Nova Scotia born, raised and educated. Married a Military pilot and lived both in and out of Canada.
- While stationed in VirginiaI studied American History and English Literature.
- RN. 19 years taking care of Cancer patients ( 2 years of studying Oncology) keeping them at home with family.
- Specialized in wound care and post op infections, diabetic and those associated with Oncology patients. Also have taken the Critical Care Course.
- Taught clinical for Canador College RNs, RPs and HCAs.
- Two great daughters.
- Moved to lovely Lake Cowichan 9 years ago and. became a member of this wonderful group with a goal to help make life better.
Duncan Brown: Board Director
- I was project manager on several school district construction projects (PH3 arts, wood shop, ABG seismic, was a SD rep on Honeymoon Bay reno, LCCS gym reno maintenance supervisor, former school trustee.
- Presently on the Advisory Planning Council for the Town of Lake Cowichan.
- Past Director on the Olson Manor board as representative for Kinsmen.
Work: Currently work in an executive administrative role as Executive Secretary - Secretary to the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer, for the Town of Lake Cowichan for over 23 years. Duties are, but not limited to, policies, bylaws, agendas, minutes, recording and retention of meeting minutes, routine correspondences, cashier and reception duties.
Volunteer / Community Works: · Board member of Cowichan Lake Seniors Housing Society (Olson Manor) a 16 unit apartment complex for Seniors; Group Committee member for the 1st Lake Cowichan Scouts; a founding member of the 100+ Lakers Women; volunteered in local youth group of the Lake Cowichan Christian Fellowship Church.
Certificates:
- Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Prevention / Being a Mindful Employee: An Orientation to
Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Certificates - Mental Health: Health and Strategies, Signs, Symptoms and Solutions, Psychologically Healthy Workspaces, Level 1, Bullying and Harassment.
Education/Diploma/Credentials:
- Legal Administrative Assistant - Diploma from Granton Institute of Technology
- Legal Office Skills Accelerated - GPA: 4 from Sprott-Shaw
- Nanaimo Family Life Association: Essential Life Skills for Healthy Relationships
2021 Workshops. Included: Healthy Self-Esteem, Effective Communication, Personal
Boundaries, Assertiveness Skills, Stress Management, Managing Anger, Conflict Resolution,
Dealing with Loss, and Creating Change.
I am married and we retired to Lake Cowichan, BC., from Edmonton, Alberta in 2016.
Educational background:
- I attended public school in Alberta and completed grade 12 matriculation.
- I attended Grant McEwan College, receiving diplomas in: Retail Merchandising, Marketing and Sales.
- I acquired a certificate in Project Management from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
- I have completed continuing education courses at the University of Alberta in Sales Management, Interior Design, Product Design, and Art History, which were of a personal and vocational interest.
Vocational History and Experience:
- Retail- While attending college, I worked in sales for major Canadian Department Stores (home furniture, menswear, and home fashion).
- After college graduation, I worked for a major Canadian retailer for six years, gaining experience and taking on responsibility for: sales, merchandising, training, advertising, marketing, purchasing, inventory control and store management.
- I gained further experience in sales, merchandising and marketing as the Northern Alberta Sales Representative for L’Oréal Canada
- Independent commissioned sales agent representing a number of manufactures in the giftware, greeting card, textile, and home fashion sectors.
- Hospitality Supply Sector performing marketing and sales in the hotel and healthcare field. Further involved in the design and project installations for hotels doing renovations or new construction. Customers included Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn, and Suites, Ramada Inns, Pomeroy Lodging, and numerous independent hotels, motels hospitals and seniors homes in Alberta and British Columbia.
Community Involvement:
- Active in support of the Edmonton food bank, canvassed for Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Society. Support our local Community League.
- Was a member of several business / professional organizations
- I had an active involvement in municipal, provincial and federal politics and parties.
- Was on the Lake Cowichan APC for 8 years, two as chairperson.