At the 2013/14 annual general meeting, the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre Society (CFEC) recognized the significant contributions of Janice Silveira and Noella Andrews who are leaving the board of directors.
Janice has been the heart and soul of CFEC. She has lived in our community for more than 40 years and is well known and respected.
Janice has held many different executive and community board positions over the years. She has been involved in parent advisory groups, and is a member of Canadian Mental Health Association-South Cariboo.
However, her most ardent devotion has been as a member of the CFEC board. Although not a member of the original board when CFEC was set up, Janice has been the longest-serving and most dedicated board member since 1995.
She served as board chair until 2006 and past chair and co-chair since then. She was always a wonderful promoter of the centre and its programs.
One example of her enthusiasm was a sewing program she suggested for new or expectant moms to provide them with some useful skills, and in the process, to make a baby quilt for their new arrival.
Janice went on to develop, lead and promote the program for many years. She rounded up sewing machines, many of which were left at the centre or donated to the moms.
She had fellow quilters donate fabric to lessen the expense of the project. She invited friends to help at the sessions. Janice made sure all of the necessities were there.
Hardly a board meeting went by that we didn’t have to draw on Janice’s understanding of where we have come from and what has been done in the past to better set our path for the future. Her wisdom and sincere love for the families of this area are a true testament to her character.
Now that her husband, Steve, has retired, they look forward to travelling and having even more time for their extended family. We wish them many blessings on their journey.
We could never say thank-you enough for Janice’s incredible contributions to CFEC, but they will never be forgotten.
Noella Andrews resigned from the board at the end of July, as she and her husband are moving to Alberta.
Noella joined the board at the 2013 AGM. In this very short time Noella has made a huge positive difference to the board.
She brought her extensive experience in leadership, business, non-profit management and as a mother of three boys and, of course, her love of food and her passion for cooking.
First, she took on the role of the board co-chair with Diane Cober. Noella has always been available to consult, meet, deal with finances and all of the other things that need the chairs’ counsel and authority. She has volunteered and participated in almost every event we have had during the past year and has worked with Nicole Arnold to provide the Food Skills for Families program. Noella has also taken an active role provincially with Leon Chretien in working with Board Voice BC.
She was key to CFEC’s success in securing a $2,000 BC Board Voice grant, which resulted in the inaugural Non Profit Board Workshop in the South Cariboo.
The 2014/15 CFEC board of directors include: Diane Cober, board co-chair; Caroline Whitney, board co-chair; Josh Dickerson, vice-chair, Leon Chretien, Secretary and audit committee chair; Vic Popiel, treasurer and finance committee chair; and Sheila Hart, accreditation committee chair.
Lisa De Paoli is the executive director of CFEC.
