Realizing Potential. For All Women.
Speakers during 2024-2025
Evan Berger
February 20, 2025: Evan Berger, MA, RCC | Mental Health Clinician, Vernon, and the Interior Region Program Manager for the Take a Hike program will be presenting on this full-time alternative high school program. The Take a Hike Foundation “partners with school boards and districts to empower vulnerable youth with the skills and resilience they need to graduate high school, build healthy relationships, and achieve success – however they define it.” Within this alternate classroom structure are embeded a full-time mental health clinician, weekly land-based learning activities, and opportunities for community involvement.
Alex Muir
January 20, 2025 – Alex Muir, Chair of the Metro Vancouver Chapter of Dying With Dignity Canada (DWDC) gave an informative presentation about the services this the national human-rights charity provides in its commitment to improving quality of dying and protecting end-of-life rights. Canada’s legislation addressing medical assistance in dying (MAiD) came into force in 2016, with DWDC advocating for assisted dying rules that respect the Canadian Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and providing support to adults suffering from a grievous and irremediable medical condition who wish to die on their own terms. Mr. Muir also provided the members with a detailed list of BC resources, many of which can be found at https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/education-resources/british-columbia-support-directory/
Megan Cox
November 18, 2024 – The featured presentation was on the services offered by the North Okanagan Hospice Society. The Society’s Executive Director Megan Cox, Community Program Manager Belinda Keel and Fund Development Office Kristin Ford attended, providing a powerpoint presentation and informational materials as well as answering numerous questions from the audience. There were a number of aspects of the Society’s work and that of Interior Health of which many of us were unaware until today and we appreciate the presentation.
As stated on its website, “When medical intervention can no longer add days to life, we strive to add more life to each day.” https://nohs.ca/
Janet Parkins and Jane Weixl
October 21, 2024: Janet Parkins and Jane Weixl with Climate Action Now! North Okanagan are our featured speakers. Their timely topic is, “Zero Carbon Step Code”, part of changes to the BC Building Code which requires most new construction in BC to be 20% more energy efficient than the base 2018 BC Building Code. The Information Bulletin from the Building and Safety Standards Branch of the BC government provides more information on this Code however our speakers will bring the human approach to the topic .
Martin Friedrich
September 16, 2024 – Our featured speaker was Martin Friedrich, Executive Director of Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society.
Martin spoke of the many services VDICSS has offered for newcomers, immigrants, refugees, and naturalized citizens, helping with settlement and integration into Canada and Vernon, British Columbia. Among other services, it provides language and employment services. For more information visit Home | Vernon & District Immigrant & Community Services Society (vdicss.org)
Additionally, we we heard from Mickie Materi of the Archway Society for Domestic Peace and some of the financial challenges the organization is currently facing. See archwaysociety.ca for information about this organization.
Cindy Masters
May 27, 2024 – Cindy Masters, our scheduled speaker, was unable to attend on this date. We are working to reschedule her speaking engagement. Cindy Masters is the Executive Director of Okanagan Village Housing Society. Cindy was born and raised in Vernon and is excited to be speaking about the work of the Okanagan Village Housing Society. This Society is a registered charity whose mandate is to develop a permanent inventory of managed, safe and comfortable rental housing at below market rate for the “forgotten population” of lower income workers, families, pensioners, and people with diverse abilities who are in need of help along their way to becoming or remaining long-term contributing citizens.”
More information regarding the Society can be found at https://okvillage.ca/.
For more information about CFUW Vernon and our Speakers, please complete the form found on the Contact Us page and a club member will answer any questions you may have.