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Purpose
One of the most important characteristics of the fmi*igf is that it is mostly a volunteer-based organization with only a few paid staff members across Canada. fmi*igf members volunteer their personal time and occasionally the time of their employers. Volunteers are the fmi*igf's most important resource.
The fact that the fmi*igf is primarily a volunteer organization has had significant implications on the scope of activities the fmi*igf has been able to reasonably undertake and will continue to have an impact in the future. As time is very precious to each volunteer, we need to recognize more formally, his or her contribution to the fmi*igf.
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Chapter Activities
The fmi*igf National Board of Directors strongly encourages all chapters to adopt and implement an appropriate recognition program for its volunteers.
National Directors
Each director should receive an appropriate memento of recognition upon their departure from the National Board. Preferably this would be presented to them at the fmi*igf Annual General Meeting held in conjunction with PSMW; however, the presentation could be made at PD Week or at their final full Board meeting. The responsibility for this function should rest with the President of the Board. This recognition does not apply to chapter Presidents serving on the Boards as recognition of their contributions should be a responsibility of their respective chapters.
Past-President
On completion of his/her term as President, the outgoing President of the fmi*igf will receive an Honorary Life Membership and an invitation to the annual President's Reception held in conjunction with PD Week. This will be presented by the President-elect at the Annual General Meeting normally held in conjunction with PSMW.
fmi*igf journal
Members of the Editorial Board should receive a letter from the National President thanking them for their contribution to the fmi*igf journal. The Editorial Board is also recognized by an offer of free registration to PD Week activities, including two gala tickets. The Editor of the fmi*igf journal contributes a significant amount of time to the organization and should have his/her contribution recognized annually through the presentation of an appropriate memento by the President of the fmi*igf.
PD Week
Each member of the organizing committee will receive:
- a letter from the National President;
- recognition in the PD Week Conference Guide and in the fmi journal;
- a thank-you dinner after the event;
- free registration to PD Week activities, including 2 gala tickets; and
- a free one-year membership in the local Chapter.
In addition to the above, the PD Week Co-Chairs will receive:
- an appropriate memento presented by the National President at the event; and
- an appropriate memento upon their departure from the FMI Board of Directors.
PSMW
Each member of the organizing committee will receive:
- a letter from the National President;
- recognition in the PSMW Conference Guide and in the fmi journal;
- a thank-you dinner after the event
- free registration to PSMW Week activities, including 2 gala tickets; and
- a free one-year membership in the local Chapter.
In addition to the above, the PSMW Co-Chairs will receive:
- an appropriate memento presented by the fmi*igf President at the event; and
- an appropriate memento upon their departure from the fmi*igf Board of Directors.
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| Capital's | Gail Somers | Autumn 2011 |
| Ontario's |
Richard Slee |
Spring/Summer 2011 |
| Alberta's |
Roberta Luk and Gisele Dansereau |
Winter 2011 |
| St. John's |
Terry Paddon |
Winter 2011 |
| Fredericton's |
Yvonne Samson |
Autumn 2010 |
| Halifax's |
Jim Wentzell |
Spring/Summer 2010 |
| Victoria's |
Gordon Gunn |
Spring/Summer 2010 |
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Gail Somers presently holds the position of Senior Manager, Corporate and Government Banking with Scotiabank. She has been with Scotiabank for over 25 years, twenty of which in the Ottawa area. Ms. Somers is a strong supporter and long-time volunteer of the Financial Management Institute of Canada, both at the Capital Chapter and National levels. For more than seven years, she has participated on the fmi*igf Capital Chapter Board in numerous positions from Program Chair to President, and presently serves as the Chapter’s Past President. Prior to joining fmi*igf Capital Chapter, she was actively involved in numerous Board positions with the Treasury Management Association of Canada (Ottawa Chapter.) Actively involved in the community, Ms. Somers has also served as a Community Guider and Contact Guider for the past 25+ years.
The fmi*igf Capital Chapter Board of Directors would like to thank Ms. Somers for her faithful dedication and recognize her as a pillar of our community. We are very grateful that Ms. Somers continues to support the Board and its activities.
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Richard Slee was born and raised in Toronto. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a Certificate in Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science, and awarded the general proficiency prize in public administration.
His career with the Ontario Public Service spanned 36 years and began with the Register General’s Office. He has worked in the Ontario Labour Relations Board, Occupational Health and Safety, Internal Audit and the Finance areas of the Ministry of Labour. In February 2002, he moved to the Ministry of Finance, Office of the Provincial Controller as Senior Analyst, Controllership Policy and Practices. He retired in November 2008.
FMI Ontario is not the only organization to have benefited from his skills and support. He is past president of the Queens Park Public Speaking Club (a member since 1976), as well as, past area governor of the Toronto Downtown Area of Toastmasters International, a private non-profit organization dedicated to improving people’s communications and leadership skills. He is also a member of the American Institute of Parliamentarians, and founding president of the Parliamentary Society of Toronto of which he is now Secretary. He is currently the Director of Communications for the Queen City Yacht Club. Somewhere he has managed to find the time to conduct courses in public speaking and common parliamentary law to public and private organizations.
Richard is married to Mary Harsant, an Accountant, and they have one son, Joshua aged 17. He is an avid sailor who, with his family, lives on his boat during the summer on Ward’s Island. Richard has recently retired from the Ontario Public Service, and has indicated that he will retire from FMI Ontario as well. The members and Board of Directors of the FMI Ontario Chapter would like to acknowledge and thank Richard for his dedication over the past five years.
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Roberta Luk has recently retired from the public service after 15 years with Justice Canada as Regional Director, Finance & Administration. Prior to this Roberta worked in several government departments, as well as in the private sector, receiving her CGA designation in 1982. Now that she is retired, Roberta hopes to spend time travelling with her husband.
Gisele Dansereau is with Western Economic Diversification as Manager of Resource Management & Reporting. She has been with WD since 1998. Prior to this, she worked with the Public Service Commission in Winnipeg and Edmonton, in a number of different positions, including Finance Clerk; Pay & Benefits Specialist; Finance Officer; and, Manager, Finance and Corporate Services.
The Board of Directors of the FMI Alberta Chapter would like to thank Roberta and Gisele for their tremendous contribution and many years of service to fmi*igf. Despite being formally retired from the Board, both Roberta and Gisele continue to provide support to the current Board members in many capacities. We wish them both all the best in their future endeavours.
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As part of his continued support of the Chapter, Mr. Paddon has been a frequent presenter at the St. John’s Chapter sessions. Typically, his presentation on “Economic and Financial Overview of the Province” attracts the highest number of attendees of all the Chapter’s professional development events, including record participation by employees of the Department of Finance.
Terry Paddon began his career in the financial industry as Manager of Assurance Services for Clarkson Gordon/Ernst & Young (1978-1986). From there he worked as a controller with Murray and Co. and later as corporate controller with the Hart Group of Companies (1986 - 1990). He joined the provincial public service as a Manager of Tax Audit, with the Tax Administration Branch of the Department of Finance in 1990. His career in the public service continued with the Taxation and Fiscal Policy Branch, where he worked as Director of Tax Policy from 1995 to 1998 and Assistant Deputy Minister from June 1998 to January 2004. Terry Paddon was appointed Deputy Minister of Finance for Newfoundland and Labrador in January 2004, and Secretary to Treasury Board in May 2005.
In addition to his public service experience, Mr. Paddon had held positions in the private sector including the public accounting industry. Mr Paddon holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland and was admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Newfoundland in 1980.
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In addition to representing the Fredericton Chapter at many events and meetings at both the Atlantic and the national level, Yvonne currently serves as the Atlantic Liaison Director on the fmi*igf National Board of Directors. Yvonne played a key role on the PSMW 2002 Organizing Committee, held in Fredericton, and a decade later, has accepted the role of one of the local co-chairs for PSMW 2012, the 25th Annual Public Sector Management Workshop, to be held at the Fredericton Convention Centre in May 2012.
Over the past few years, Yvonne has served on both fmi*igf National and Fredericton Chapter Nominating Committees, the fmi*igf National Chapter Working Group, and helped with the fmi*igf National Policy Review project. In addition she has been providing assistance towards the development of a new FMI Chapter in Moncton, New Brunswick.
Yvonne received her BBA from the University of New Brunswick in 1996 and her chartered accountancy designation in 2000. She began her career in the public sector in 1997 with the Office of the Auditor General where she was in charge of various audits including the financial statements for the Province of New Brunswick. She also worked with the Department of Transportation, as Manager of Consulting and Audit, and is currently the Director of Corporate Finance for the Departments of Local Government and Environment.
Yvonne has greatly contributed to fmi*igf at both the Chapter and the National level, and FMI Fredericton takes this excellent opportunity to recognize all the hard work of Yvonne and our many volunteers.
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In his everyday life Jim is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Mahone Bay on Nova Scotia’s beautiful south shore. The town has a population of 904 and operates its own electric light and water utilities. Jim manages these and all aspects of the town’s business along with a staff of 10. Some of the challenges currently facing the town include the declining rural population, aging population, tourism dependent commercial sector, the tax base, affordable housing, infrastructure renewal and implementation of the new PSAB guidelines regarding municipal capital assets.
Jim has over 37 years experience in both municipal and school board financial administration. He was one of several School Board employees to work on the team that designed and implemented SAP as the accounting system for all School Boards in Nova Scotia. He has served on the executive of the Association of Nova Scotia Administrators and currently is a representative on the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities CAP Assessment Review Committee.
Responsibility and accountability are two things Jim feels strongly about and he operates by example in managing his staff, working for his Council, dealing with all levels of government and in performing his duties for PSMW 2010. He is a hard worker and can be seen sitting at his desk many evenings always looking for ways to better serve the citizens of Mahone Bay. Always thinking, one of Jim’s quotes is “Weeks never end - they always recycle.”
SouthShoreNow.ca CAO Recognized
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Although Gordon is a very successful associate partner at KPMG, he has no qualms about rolling up his sleeves for work that is so often required of fmi*igf board members. He has served in many pivotal roles, including Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, President and Past President and just about anything else in between including supporting national endeavours such as his recent participation on the Working Group that developed Social Networking (Web 2.0) Guidelines for the fmi*igf.
The icing on the cake is his willingness to pass on his knowledge as a valued speaker at national and local events. Informally, and of equal importance, he has been a key advisor to new fmi*igf directors. Through his consistent example, Gordon exemplifies professional, effective governance.
Gordon's tireless volunteerism isn’t limited to fmi*igf. He has participated on the boards of the Information System Audit and Control Association, the Vancouver Island Chapter of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants, and Ballet Victoria amongst others. A special commitment of Gordon's is serving as a Secretary-Treasurer on the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness. Gordon’s social commitments aren’t a recent epiphany. In 1989, Gordon conceived the Great Canadian Family Picnic, and then rallied volunteers to organize the Canada Day event that for 10 years, attracted tens of thousands of people to Victoria’s beautiful Beacon Hill Park.
Gordon is unique in his level of dedication. He’s a strategic thinker, a pragmatic leader and a reliable team player who exudes credibility and is respected by Board members and Chapter membership alike. He is an ambassador for the fmi*igf organization. His commitment is pure, and his fellow Directors are keenly aware that his involvement is not about personal aspirations or accomplishments, it's truly about “giving back.”
