Minister Announces New Advisory Council

NOTE: A complete list of council members follows this release.

A new provincewide volunteer advisory council will help strengthen and increase the profile of volunteers.

"Volunteers are an important part of what makes Nova Scotia such a great province," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Volunteerism said today, April 28. "Creating this committee allows us to work directly with people to ensure the continued success of the voluntary sector in the province."

The Nova Scotia Volunteer Advisory Council brings together representatives from the voluntary sector and government. The council will develop action plans to address key issues affecting volunteers, increase the number of volunteers and act as a communications link between the volunteer community and government.

The 21-person council has representatives from a number of volunteer sectors including health, religion, environment, arts and culture, social development, sport and recreation, philanthropic and volunteerism promotion, and international development. The council also reflects the diversity of the province with members representing Acadian, African Nova Scotian, Aboriginal communities, as well as immigrants, persons with disabilities, seniors and youth.

"This newly formed partnership between the provincial government and the volunteer sector will eventually become the model for all volunteer sectors in Canada," said Steve Young of the Abilities Foundation of Nova Scotia.

The advisory council will meet four times per year with the Minister of Volunteerism. The next meeting is in June.

NOTE: Following is a list of members of the Minister's Volunteer Community Advisory Committee.

• June Boswell, Nova Scotia Gambia Association
• Lucky Campbell, Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs
• Andrea Caven, Nova Scotia Health Promotion and Protection
• Jamie Ferguson, Sport Nova Scotia
• Margaret Fraser, Federation of Community Organizations of Halifax Regional Municipality
• Dodie Goodwin, United Way of Pictou County
• Phil Hughes, Group of Nine Seniors Organizations
• Merek Jagielski, Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association
• Susan King, Cape Breton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations
• Krista Laing, Valley Volunteer Coalition
• Jean Leger, Federation Acadienne de la Nouvelle-Ecosse
• Audrey Lucas, Native Social Counselling Agency
• John Odenthal, Interfaith Council of Halifax
• Luciano Onichino, Heartwood
• Sylvia Parris, Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs
• Anne Perigo, Nova Scotia Health Promotion and Protection
• Wendy Robichaud, Coastal Communities Network
• Linda Ross, Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage
• Dawn Stegen, Recreation Nova Scotia
• David Williamson, Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage
• Steve Young, Abilities Foundation of Nova Scotia