Governance
The Westcoast Community Resources Society is a registered charity and a non-profit society governed by the requirements of the
Societies Act of British Columbia. Governance of WCRS is overseen by the Board of Directors as the elected body responsible for
guiding and steering the activities of the Society.
WCRS Board of Directors
The Westcoast Community Resources Society (WCRS) is guided by the experience and skills of the Board of Directors who share the
vision and values of healthy connected individuals,
families and communities.
The Westcoast Community Resources Society Board of Directors demonstrate a passion for community and wellness through their hard-work and dedication to the Society and broader community.
Laurie Hannah (Executive Director)
(she/her)
Arriving in Tofino in February 1998 from eastern Canada, Laurie Hannah brings a wealth of local knowledge and industry experience to the new role of Executive Director with the Westcoast Community Resources Society. Working locally with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council for 10 years with their Early Years Program as well as Vancouver Island Health Authority, and Westcoast Community Resources Contracts over the years. From 2013 to 2020 Laurie and her two children moved to Whistler and worked as the Community Living Coordinator with Sea To Sky Community Services for 5 years and then was the Manager of the Whistler Women’s Centre with the Howe Sound Women’s Centre delivering many of the programs that the Westcoast Community Resources Society delivers. She has a passion for strengthening families and community and looks forward to incorporating her degrees and diplomas along with her experience and passion to build stronger communities.
Faye Missar (Co-Chair)
(she/her)
Faye Missar was born in Haida Gwaii and raised in Ucluelet, BC. She is a mom to two energetic, young boys and a lovely bernedoodle pup named Rocket. Faye has a Masters in Public Health and her interest areas include rural and remote health, child and youth development, sexual health, and harm reduction. Faye coordinates a local health network, the Coastal Family Resource Coalition, and works on various other health and community development projects. For fun, Faye enjoys surfing, playing soccer, and hanging out with her friends.
Brett Freake (Chair)
(he/him)
Brett Freake has been living in the traditional unceded and ancestral territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation since 2018. He is passionate about contributing to inclusive communities where everyone has access to the resources they need to flourish. Brett has a Masters degree in Community and Regional Planning. He is currently working as the Manager of Lands and Resources for Toquaht Nation and is also a member of the Tofino Volunteer Fire Department.
Nora O’Malley (Co-Secretary)
(she/her)
Nora O’Malley is an award-winning writer and photographer
based in Ucluelet. Having worked as a reporter for the Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News for eight years, she brings to our board a breadth
of contacts from different West Coast circles.
Nora loves solutions journalism, surfing, the Canadian Rockies,
and her dog Willow. She is also a certified purveyor of stoke,
having earned her International Surf Association Surf Instructor accreditation in May 2023. She is thankful for the opportunity
to contribute to WCRS, and looks forward to helping the
team build a stronger, happier West Coast.
Sarah Gray (Co-Secretary)
(she/her)
Sarah has lived and worked in Canada since 2017 and is grateful to now call Ucluelet home. As a service designer, she has spent the last decade working within the public and not-for-profit sectors. Having worked in communications, community engagement and fund development, Sarah is excited to contribute to the future of WCRS. She has a passion for social impact, people and advocacy and is committed to doing her part to build a more equitable society.
When not working, you will most likely find Sarah exploring local trails with her partner Matt and dog Alba.
Crystal Bolduc (Treasurer)
(she/her)
Crystal has lived in Ucluelet for the past 21 years and feels like Ucluelet is home for her. She believes in supporting her community and has volunteered for a number of groups during her time here, including the Pacific Rim Whale Fest Society and Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue. She is very grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to WCRS and learn from everyone at the organization.
Crystal works at Parks Canada in their External Relations team and has a keen budgeting eye. When Crystal is not working or volunteering she spends time reading and walking with her dog Seymour.
Ellen Frood (Director)
(she/her)
Ellen has been employed by Sage Haven Society for seven years working to oversee and direct a range of counselling services, a Transition House, and a Community Resource Centre. Community collaborations have been important and ongoing partnerships such as the Port Alberni Friendship Centre, CMHA, and PASS. Sage Haven also refers clients to a wide variety of community resources. As a result of lobbying with BC Housing, Ellen was instrumental in securing funding to build a 22-unit Second Stage Housing project in partnership with the City of Port Alberni which will begin accepting program participants in December 2023.
Other local committees she has been instrumental and involved with are: Director AVGA (Alberni Valley Gaming Association), Director AVSP (Alberni Valley Social Planning Commission – now deregistered), Island Health Community Advisory Committee (mental health), Co-Chair Port Alberni Community Action Team, Member Alberni Clayoquot Health Network, Alberni Valley Learning Council, NIC Human Service Worker Program Advisory Committee, Member Port Alberni Child & Mental Health Substance Use Local Action Team (LAT) and more.
Becoming a
Board Member
Any member of WCRS in good standing is eligible to stand for the Board. Directors are elected by vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for a term of one or two years.
Applications for the Board are reviewed by the existing
Board Members in order to establish
- Availability for regular and committee meetings
- Experience and skills that the member would bring to the Board
- Experience and skills that the member wishes to acquire during their term in office
The applicant will be informed of the Board’s decision on their suitability and the nomination will proceed to the AGM for
voting by members of the Society.
Anyone serving on the Board of Directors is required to swear an oath of confidentiality and to undergo a criminal record check.
If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a Board Director of WCRS, please email our Executive Director, Laurie Hannah to arrange an informal discussion.