Dr. Geoffrey Pawson
With profound sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Geoffrey Pawson on January 30, 2012. Husband to Barbara for 50 years; Father to Jane (David) Loblaw, Gord (Lori) Pawson, David Pawson, and Kate (Scott) Langen. He was an extremely proud Granddad to Rachel, Sydney and Chloe Langen and Demira and Darian Pawson. Brother to David (Doreen) Pawson and Lloyd (Angie) Pawson; brother-in-law to Roger & Vicki Hardage and Ann & Jim Stevens; and their families. Geoff is the founder of the Ranch Ehrlo Society and former Ehrlo Community Services. He was only 27 years of age when he opened the first group home with 6 youth. The agency has grown to currently serving 250 youth and families across Saskatchewan and Canada. There have been thousands of graduates of the program, many of whom continued to maintain contact. He received many honours throughout his career such as the Order of Canada in 2000, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2001, the Family Service Canada Award in 2003, and an Honourary Doctorate of Law from the University of Regina in 2005. Geoff was an inspirational leader who had a tremendous impact at the local, provincial, national and international level for his unwavering commitment to youth. He had a gifted ability to create change, overcome obstacles, and challenge the status quo. He was a master problem-solver and visionary who was respected by his colleagues, employees, community, friends and family. Although Geoff will be profoundly missed, he has left a remarkable legacy. His mission and vision will live on at Ranch Ehrlo, as he laid a solid foundation to continue to improve upon meeting the needs and filling gaps for the most vulnerable members of our society. He truly left the world a better place. Donations can be made in Geoff's honor to the Dr. Geoffrey Pawson Education Scholarship. The purpose of this scholarship is to enable present and/or former residents of the Ranch Ehrlo Society and other deserving individuals to continue with Post-secondary and apprenticeship training. The focus is to improve the likelihood of long-term and continuous employment in the future of the recipients. A Memorial will be held on Friday February 17, 2012 at 7 pm at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Saskatchewan in the Grand Ballroom. An online book of condolences can be accessed at www.Ehrlo.com, as well as www.Facebook.com/RanchEhrlo. This is a wonderful way for the family to stay connected as they have yet to be able to return from Tucson AZ.
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Governance
The Child Welfare League of Canada (CWLC)'s Board of Directors represents all regions of Canada. Directors meet three times a year, rotating its meetings across Canada.
CWLC held its latest Annual General Meeting in Ottawa, ON on February 25th, 2011. It was a half-day event that included CWLC members and guests, as well as Sue O'Sullivan, the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime and Andrea Dow of Corrections Canada. Ms O'Sullivan and Ms. Dow were the guest speakers and highlighted recent initiatives taken on by their respective offices. CWLC will continue to work with the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime and Corrections Canada in the upcoming year to provide support and speak on behalf of vulnerable children and youth.
Three exceptional board members retired from the Board of Directors at this year's AGM - Jane Matheson (past Chair) from Wood's Homes (AB), Alain St Pierre from Le Centre jeunesse de la Montérégie (QC), Dexter Kinequon from Lac La Ronge Indian Child & Family Services Agency Inc (SK), Teri Nicholas of Family Services of Greater Vancouver (BC), Ivy Burt, the former Provincial Director of Health & Community Services with the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador (NL), and Ann Barnard Ball of the Children’s Aid Foundation (ON). CWLC extends our gratitude for the hard work and dedication of our retiring board members and we wish them well in their next endeavour!
With the retirement of board members CWLC is pleased to welcome three new members to the Board of Directors:
- Michelle Shallow, acting Provincial Director of Child Protection and In-Care with the newly formed Department of Child, Youth & Family Services with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Mary Ballantyne, Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS).
- Len Gamache, President of the Children’s Aid Foundation.
CWLC will hold its next board meeting in June 2011, in Toronto.
Executive Committee
Michael DeGagné, Chair
Executive Director
Aboriginal Healing Foundation
Jean-Pierre Hotte, Vice Chair
Directeur général
Association des centres jeunesse du Québec
Peter Moore, Vice Chair
Executive Director
Kinark Child and Family Services
Kathy Tsetso, Treasurer
Chief Executive Officer
Deh'cho Health & Social Services (NT)
George Savoury, Secretary
Executive Director, Family & Community Supports
Department of Community Services (NS)
Tony Diniz, Past Chair
Executive Director
Child Development Institute (ON)
The Hon. Landon Pearson
Director Emeritus
Board Members
Linda Baker
Executive Director
Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System of theLondon Family Court Clinic Inc. (ON)
Luc Cadieux
Executive Director
Les Centres jeunesse de l'Outaouais (QC)
Dennis Dandeneau
Executive Director
The Bridge Youth & Family Services (BC)
Michèle Goyette
Directrice des services spécialisés et des services aux jeunes contrevenants
Centre jeunesse de Montréal - Institut universitaire (QC)
Marion MacIver
Director of Education
Ranch Ehrlo Society (SK)
Wendy McCourt
Director
Child and Family Services (PEI)
Peter Moore
Executive Director
Kinark Child and Family Services (ON)
Ambrose S. Ojah Jr
Territorial Child and Family Services Specialist and Interprovincial Coordinator
Government of Nunavut
Robert J. Watts
