Board of Directors
DeafBlind Ontario Services is governed by a volunteer board of directors, consisting of up to 10 members from various professional backgrounds across the province. Our board of directors is responsible for the long-term health of our organization ensuring our mission, vision, values and clients are always at the forefront of everything we do. Up to 4 of our board members are related members of the people we serve.
The board’s primary responsibility is providing strategic leadership by setting direction, making policy and strategy decisions, overseeing and monitoring organizational performance, anticipating, mitigating and managing risks to the organization, ensuring prudent and proper management of the organization’s resources and has overall accountability.
Board of Directors 2019-2020
- Lise Gagnon – Chair
- Danielle Brouillet
- Raymond Coutu
- Rob Crawford
- Diane Gabay – Secretary
- John Halman – Vice Chair
- Marnie McDermott
- Emma LeBlanc
- Linda Littell
- Greg Paget
Board Committees
A committee’s function is to bring experience, expertise and judgment. Its job is to assist the Board by considering matters referred to it in greater depth than would be possible by the whole Board. The Committee isolates key issues requiring Board consideration; propose alternative actions; present the implications and make recommendation to the Board for a decision the committee cannot speak or act on behalf of the board.
In addition, each committee is responsible for developing and executing an annual board-approved workplan.
Governance – Chair: Linda Littell
Responsible for the development and implementation of the Governance process on behalf of the Board.
Government Relations – Chair: Brian Watkinson
Responsible to develop communication strategies which educate members of municipal, provincial and federal government on issues of concern to individuals who are deafblind and their families. To develop effective strategies to advocate on behalf of individuals who are deafblind and their families.
Finance – Chair: John Halman
Responsible for monitoring, advising and recommending course of action to the Board on the financial affairs of the organization.
Client Services – Chair: Emma LeBlanc
Responsible for the review, monitoring and, evaluation of the service model and provide recommendations for the effective delivery of services.
Testimonials from DeafBlind Ontario Services’ Committee Members
“It’s a high performance organization and has a well-defined mission that conveys the reason for the organization’s existence and inspires others like myself to join the cause.”
“Fully constructive dialogue which leads to conclusions, during the meeting, and then timely and complete follow-up with actions. I’ve done a huge amount of volunteer work in my careers, and have to say that this is probably the most effective group I have worked with…”
Recruitment for Board and Board Committee members is the responsibility of the Governance Committee. Interested applicants can download a volunteer application form and email [email protected] for consideration.
