The Board of Directors is the governing body of Independent Living Nova Scotia Association, here referred to as “ILNS” or “the association.”



Since 2002, our Board has followed the policy governance model. Sometimes this form of governance is called the “Carver Model” after its initiator, John Carver.



Using the policy governance model, the Board sets policies and makes sure they are carried out. Board members are not directly involved in the day-to-day work of ILNS. The Board hires the Executive Director who manages the organization and hires other staff. The Executive Director is accountable to the Board, and the Board monitors her performance.



These are some features of how the Board functions:

• It speaks with one voice.

• The Board does not focus on administrative details.

• The Board looks outward to the community and ahead to the future.

• The Board is responsible to persons with disabilities.

• More than one-half of Board members are persons with disabilities. This is a requirement of our bylaws.



The Board of Directors consists of 12 to 16 persons. The Board meets 10 times a year, usually in the early evening on the third Thursday of a month. The Annual General Meeting is held in June, when registered members meet to receive reports and financial statements for the past year, elect Board members, appoint the auditor, and deal with other business. There are currently about 180 registered members who are entitled to vote at general membership meetings.



Currently, our Board has set up four committees: governance, finance, executive director succession, and fund development.



For more information about the board of directors, please see the Board Policy Manual and Orientation Manual.

BOARD MEMBERS:

Arnott, James W, BA (St Mary’s), Diploma in Human Services.  Worked for Scotia Bank for fourteen years, for Symcor, and since 2006 for NS Department of Community Services.  Has volunteered for the Community Justice Society since 2001.  Personally lives with Cerebral Palsy.  He joined the board in 2008.

Dubé, Sarah, student at University of King’s College.  Co-Coordinator of Students for Teaching Peace, Member-at-Large on the King’s Students’ Union Search Committee, member of the Accessibility Committee.  Volunteer for 15 years for Muscular Dystrophy Association having had personal experience, and presently self manages her personal attendant and utilizes a motorized wheelchair.  At Saint Patrick’s High School she served on the Model Parliament, the High School debating team, the Youth Advisory Council and the Concert Choir. She is bilingual. Joined board in 2009.

Estey, Steven, BA, (Phil.) (StFX), Master’s in International Development (St Mary’s). Human Rights Officer for Disabled Peoples’ International and North America’s representative on its World Council. International experience with NGOs, governments and multilateral agencies.  Chair of International Committee of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, recently having worked with Canada’s delegation in negotiating the
UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.  Late deafened, he effectively applies interactive computer technology in our board meetings. Joined the board in 2007.

Hennen, Brian, MD (Queen’s), MA (Ed Psych)(Michigan State), Professor of Family Medicine at Dalhousie, retired family physician.  Chaired departments of Family Medicine at Dalhousie U and University of Western Ontario, was Dean of Medicine at University of Manitoba 1999-2004, former president of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and former chair of the Canadian Council for Health Services Accreditation. Longstanding interest in developmental disabilities, he coordinates Dal Family Medicine program supporting family physicians in their care of adults with developmental disabilities.  Former Capital Health Board director and chair of CH Quality Committee. Enjoys five grandchildren, one who has Down Syndrome. Joined board in 2006.

Macdonald, Charlie, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from NS Technical College, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from St. Mary’s University. Has 35 years experience with the Nova Scotia Public Service, including 15 years as Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Disabled Persons Commission. Currently with the Public Service Commission, providing leadership to the province’s diversity initiative as Senior Consultant, Diversity Management. Active community volunteer: director of the National Broadcast Reading Service (to be renamed Accessible Media Inc.), chair of the Tetra Society of Metro Halifax, and ILNS board member since 2006. Charlie is blind and travels with his guide dog Cosby.

MacDonald, Donald , an enthusiastic volunteer who looks back on 51 years of volunteer service. Donald has been a member of ILNS and its predecessor groups for over 20 years. He received his Grade 12 through a GED and has completed many additional courses. Donald served as an official with wheelchair sports and has served on several boards of directors in the fields of sports and disability. Having previously worked in retail, Donald now is an active volunteer with the Victorian Order of Nurses at its head office in Halifax. Donald formerly served on the ILNS board, and rejoined the board in 2010.

Miller, Joel, BA (SMU), Certified in Marine/Industrial Rigging (NSCC), employed at the dockyard in Halifax. Conducts simulations and presentations about  living with a Learning Disability (he has Dyslexia). Joined board in 2008.

Noel, Stephen, BA (Psych) (St Mary’s), M.Ed. (Counselling)(Acadia), an employment/career counselor at St. Mary’s University, he is a former clinical therapist with NS Department of Health’s Addiction Services, has volunteered as a youth mediator and serves on the Disabled Individuals Alliance Board.  He is certified in conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation and facilitation. Following a cerebral aneurysm, he uses a cane and motor scooter for mobility to deal with a chronic hemiparesis.  He was first appointed to the board in 2000.

O’Connor, Kathleen, B.Com (Dalhousie), VGH Nursing Graduate. Has managed a Wellness Centre, worked in Paediatric Nephrology/Transplant & Oncology, Adult Orthopedics, Private Sector Home Care, a Private Medical Office, a Physiotherapy Clinic and in Pharmaceutical sales.  Former president of Halifax Celtic Soccer Club, having served on various soccer and basketball club boards. PTA committee chair at Sir Charles Tupper School. Worked with post stroke and post trauma clients and post surgery clients with MS and ALS.  Working in fitness and rehabilitation, she knows local home care programs.  She joined the board in 2007.

Vandewater, Murray,  BSc (Dalhousie) MBA(Dalhousie), self employed businessman. Volunteer experience in the United Way, TEAMwork Cooperative, Day Care, Plymouth Mine Disaster Fund, Anglican Church of Canada, Chamber of Commerce.  Personal experience as a care-giver to family members with developmental and acquired disabilities. Joined board in 2007.

Walters, Murray, Master’s of Social Work student at Dalhousie University, and currently employed by TEAMWork Co-operative/The Work Bridge employment support agencies, and by Drugstore.com. Building his own business to offer personal development training. Passionate about supporting persons with disabilities to overcome self-imposed and structural barriers. Former volunteer with TEAM Work Co-operative/The Workbridge, and ILNS board member as of 2009.