2012 Annual General Meeting

The 2012 Annual General Meeting of the Toronto Humane Society will be held:

Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 6:00pm
Primrose Hotel
111 Carlton Street (at Jarvis)

To ensure there is enough room for members to attend, this year's AGM will be held at the Primrose Hotel. (view map)

The meeting is open to all members of the Toronto Humane Society, although voting privileges are restricted to members who live or work within 60km of the shelter. If you would like to become a member click here.

AGM Materials

Members will be asked to approve:

• 2011 AGM Minutes
• By-Law Amendments
• 2011 Financial Statements

Board of Directors Elections

There are 15 seats on the Toronto Humane Society Board of Directors; five are up for election at the 2012 AGM. Directors are elected by the membership and serve for a three-year term.

2012 Board of Director Candidates


Requirements

According to Ontario's Corporations Act and the THS by-laws, Directors:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Cannot be bankrupt
• Must be mentally competent
• Shall be a member of The Toronto Humane Society, or become a member within 10 days of being elected to the Board of Directors


Nominations

To run for election to the Board of Directors:

1. Complete the nomination form and get two current THS members to sign it
2. Attach a short biography (optional) – maximum 250 words
3. Include a photograph of yourself (optional) – portrait/vertical orientation and with a resolution of at least 300dpi, preferably in jpg format

Send all three to cturner@torontohumanesociety.com

To provide perspective and guidance to members who are unable to attend the AGM and hear the candidates speak, the Board will recommend five candidates. All candidates are invited to meet with the Board and the other candidates to discuss their strengths and their views.


Deadlines

If you wish to be considered as one of the Board-recommended candidates, please send in your nomination by Friday, April 20, 2012 at 5:00pm.

Candidate meetings will be held on April 24 and 26 from 7:00-9:00pm - please let us know which date(s) you are available.

All nominations received by April 29, 2012 at 5:00pm will be listed on the proxy and have their bio and photo included in the mailing to members. Any nominations received after April 29 will not be included in the member mailing.

All properly nominated candidates will be listed on the THS website and will have an opportunity to speak at the AGM.


Frequently Asked Questions

What's involved in being a Director?
The Board of Directors of the Toronto Humane Society meets at least once a month for at least two hours, although meetings often happen more frequently and/or last longer. Directors may also sit on Board and/or volunteer committees. Each Board and committee meeting usually requires some advance preparation, so Directors should expect to dedicate a minimum of eight hours a month to the THS.

The Board focuses on policy and governance, setting goals and strategies for the organization and monitoring its performance. Operational details are the role of the CEO. A good way to describe this is that the Board decides what to do, while the CEO determines how to do it.


You may find it helpful to read notes from past Board meetings, or review these helpful links on what it means to be a Director of a charitable Board.

Charity Village – Are you ready to be a Board volunteer?

Mentoring Canada – The role of a Board member

How are Officers chosen?
Each year, the 15 Directors on the Board elect the Officers (Chair, President, Vice President(s), Secretary and Treasurer). It is usually the first order of business at the first Board meeting after the AGM.

Do I have to be a THS member to run for election to the Board of Directors?
No. Anyone who meets the four criteria set out by the by-laws and the Corporations Act may run for a seat on the Board. If you are successful, you must become a member within 10 days. Candidates may also attend the AGM, however, if they are not members, they cannot vote.

Do I have to include a biography and/or photograph with my nomination?
No. To run for the Board of Directors you only have to meet the requirements under the THS by-laws and the Corporations Act and be nominated by two current THS members. However, biographies and photos of the candidates help the members decide who to vote for.

Photos should be vertical/portrait orientation. They can be either colour or black and white, but they should be print quality. If you're taking a photo with your digital camera, make sure it is set for high resolution/print.

Biographies must be no longer than 250 words (additional words will be truncated), but what you write is up to you!

Can I mail my nomination?
We strongly encourage you to submit your nomination via email. While we will accept nominations by mail, bios and photographs must be received electronically to be included in the member mailing and on the website.


Have a question that's not answered here? Contact Claudette Turner at cturner@torontohumanesociety.com or 416 392-2273 x2117.


2012 Board of Directors Candidates

Eleven people are running for election to the Board of Directors of the Toronto Humane Society. Five will be selected by the members, and will serve for three years. Here are the photos and biographies they provided.

Selecting Candidates

Members are strongly encouraged to make their own judgments about the candidates. However, the Corporations Act requires that members be allowed to use a proxy. To provide some perspective and guidance, the Board has recommended five candidates.

When deciding which candidates to recommend, the Board reviewed their biographies carefully. Each candidate was invited to meet with the Board and the other candidates to discuss their strengths and their views. The five Board-recommended candidates have more than two decades of combined experience at the THS; a balance of animal welfare, business and advocacy skills; and the vision to continue our growth, strengthen our partnerships, and do what's best for the animals.




Board-Recommended Candidates


Marcie Laking
Marcie knows the Toronto Humane Society well, having spent more than a third of her life there – whether as a volunteer, employee or Board member.

She's spent countless hours finding foster homes for THS animals and been a foster parent herself. She's bottle fed kittens, walked dogs and used her extensive rescue contacts to get animals out of the shelter and into loving homes. Her compassion and first-hand experience will continue to keep the welfare of the animals in the forefront of every Board decision.

Previously Vice President, Marcie is now the President of the Board of Directors. A proud representative of the THS, she has spoken at rallies to repeal the pit bull ban, urged all three levels of government to improve animal welfare, and forged partnerships with like-minded groups. She's met with members, politicians and animal welfare leaders, like Bill Bruce of Calgary Animal Services.

Always willing to listen, Marcie has worked closely with the staff and volunteers to make the THS a vibrant and sustainable organization. But there is much left to do, and she is eager to continue to rebuild the THS and help it reach its full potential.

When she's not in the shelter, Marcie serves on her local parent council. She's also a proud mom to her senior pit bull Lexus, two cats that were adopted from the THS, and her five year old daughter Kylie.  


Dean Maher
Born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland, Dean pursed his post secondary studies in business management marketing and authored a children's book, Frederick the Fisherman under the Sea.

After moving to Toronto, he volunteered with Rogers Television before starting his own production company and for many years freelance produced. He later established the City Place Residents' Association to strengthen his neighbourhood and give residents a voice, then ran for election to Toronto City Council in 2010.

A leader and community organizer with a proven record, Dean led the charge to ban the sale of cats and dogs in Toronto pet stores. First recruiting support from City Councillors and animal welfare organizations (including the THS), Dean then convinced the media to promote the cause. When it finally came before Council on September 21, 2011, Council voted – unanimously – to make it a law. Now, stores can only adopt out cats and dogs from rescues, shelters and humane societies, like the THS.

Building on that success, he brought together many animal rescues to form the Toronto Cat Committee, which he Chairs. The Committee's goal is to develop strategies to address Toronto's overwhelming cat population.

Dean believes in Toronto, and is excited to see rescues, Toronto Animal Services and the Toronto Humane Society work together to advocate for better animal care, whether they are companion pets or feral cats. As a member of the Board, Dean would continue to build on these partnerships and make sure the animal's voices are heard at City Hall.


Dr. Karen Nasir
Dr. Karen Nasir is a veterinarian with experience in both emergency and shelter medicine. Upon graduation she spent two years in a private practice that also served multiple rescue organizations prior to moving on to a busy urban emergency clinic. Despite the stress and sometimes sadness, she has always felt privileged to care for all pets and the families who belong to them while continuing to be a passionate voice for the voiceless.

Dr. Nasir has been published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal and has been involved in global conservation and ecological research in Cusuco National Park, Honduras – one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. She has held executive positions with Global Vets and the Pet Loss Support Hotline.

After volunteering her services to the shelter in 2009-10, Dr. Nasir was elected to the THS' Board of Directors. Under the watchful eyes of two rescued feline friends, she is proud to be involved with a THS that now puts the animals first, ensures they receive the best medical and behavioural care, and truly believes that a cage is not a home.

As a native Torontonian, Dr. Nasir appreciates the need for a humane shelter in our city. With her enthusiasm for animal welfare and community, she will use her diverse medical background and focused work ethic to continue to strengthen the THS while acting as an advocate for the shelter and its occupants. She would be happy to answer any questions you may have at : askdoctorkaren@gmail.com.


Stephen Steele, B. Comm., M.B.A.
Stephen brings to the THS over thirty years of Finance and Treasury experience with a major multinational automotive company. With ten years as the Director of Finance and Treasurer, he was responsible for all treasury, corporate finance, accounting and tax functions. Stephen has extensive Canadian and International board experience as a director and chairperson of both, business and not-for-profit boards.

In his spare time, Stephen is a volunteer tutor and teacher at Frontier College, working with new Canadians to improve their English skills and to help them adapt to the culture of their new home. Stephen is presently the volunteer Treasurer at the THS.

Stephen has been extremely fortunate to have had many special animals be a large part of his life, from his first, a turtle named Tommy, to the pleasure of caring for a number of incredible horses. There were, of course, dogs and cats, most memorable was a unique Cocker Spaniel named Shannon that brought joy to so many people especially his dear Mother at every visit.

Stephen realizes, very personally, the incredible part that cats, dogs and all animals can play in enriching the lives of people. He believes passionately that every animal is special and deserves our utmost care. He knows that the THS is dedicated to the care of, and to providing a voice for, all animals. Stephen hopes that his experience will assist the THS in the achievement of its mission.


Wendy Strickland
The Toronto Humane Society is an amazing place and we, as members, should be proud of all the great work that it does.

I joined the Board of Directors in 2010, serving as Vice President this past year. I bring a sound understanding of the THS through my years of volunteering in the shelter – as a dog walker, cat groomer, and foster parent. I also bring my experience with managing volunteers – in my professional life I regularly work with volunteers to improve Toronto's parks. It's why I have been a member of the Volunteer Committee for the past two years; because I know the essential role THS' 600 volunteers play in the shelter and I want them to feel part of the organization.

This year I celebrated my eighth year as a volunteer dog walker. Every week I work with fantastic dogs that, despite past neglect, abuse or plain bad luck, have an amazing drive to trust again and move forward into their new lives. They are an inspiration for me as a Director – I strive to match their drive and determination and help the THS move forward into a new life as amazing and successful as it can be.

If I am re-elected, I will work to keep the THS as a haven for all homeless pets, including those with medical or behavioural special needs. I will also continue to champion rehabilitation programs for the animals and ongoing improvements to the volunteer and foster programs.




Independent Candidates


Carol Dusome
Carol is a physiotherapist who worked for many years providing outpatient care in a clinic in a financially disadvantaged area of Toronto. She presently provides care to a geriatric population. During her career she has sat on the Board of Directors of many professional organizations and has been actively involved in negotiating fees and service delivery models with the Ministry of Health.

Carol has been the devoted owner of a succession of cats and dogs throughout the years and after the recent loss of a much loved pet became involved with a Pet Loss support group. This has given her a greater understanding of the significant role that animals play in our mental and physical health and the need for more community support for those who are undergoing the illness and loss of their much loved pets.

Always an advocate for animals, Carol has been active in the support of a feral cat community. She is especially interested in the role that animals play in enhancing the quality of life of those who are physically challenged.

Carol and her husband are presently awaiting the arrival of a new puppy and all the joys and tribulations that raising this puppy will bring.


Bob Hambley
Bob Hambley is a Chartered Accountant. As a long-time Secretary-Treasurer of the THS, Bob successfully raised money and supervised its careful spending for the animals' sake. Bob was instrumental in conceiving and building the Cat Sky House and in installing the first ever hospital-grade cage and bowl/dish sanitizer to end communicable disease transmission. He provided valuable guidance in the financial management of the upgrade to the ventilation, heating and cooling systems recently lauded by the Animal Care Review Board and the Ontario SPCA inspectorate.

Bob is against experimenting on lost pets or surrendered animals in laboratories and thinks it is not right for the present Board to send pets to city pounds which the law requires to supply animals for research. Bob wants to return community-based THS services - accepting all animals offered for surrender including lost, sick and frightened animals, as well as injured wildlife.








Margaret Ann Johnson
Margaret Ann has been in real estate sales and previously worked as a registered interior designer for 20 years. This experience has given her a solid understanding of financial pressures and she believes this background will enhance the board's management. Margaret Ann has long advocated for animal protection, especially abused horses. She has spoken up against pound seizure of lost pets for research and recently was covered in the media in the fight to preserve OSPCA powers from proposed changes in Bill 37.

Much of Margaret Ann's life has been spent alongside dogs. Some years ago, she found a young feral cat and since then has developed an affinity to the plight of feral cats. She cares for a small local colony where she has built excellent shelters and spayed/neutered all the cats so there will be no new kittens and the colony will eventually cease to exist. She now lives with 4 rescued cats.








Jason Peetsma
Jason Peetsma has been passionate about advancing the welfare animals since the age of 5 – when he successfully convinced his parents to rescue a black lab who he named Molly, from the local animal shelter. Jason and Molly become inseparable over the next decade and during that time Jason and his family became hosts to every household animal imaginable.

Then at the age of 15, Jason started one of his first jobs working at a local animal shelter where he spent hundreds of hours feeding and caring for a variety of animals. Through that job, Jason met his best friend for the next 15 years, a rescued yellow lab puppy that he named Joey. 4 years later Jason spent a school term working in a rural veterinary clinic. Since then, Jason has volunteered and worked for various non-profit organizations. He received his B.A. Honours in Political Science and History from the University of Western Ontario, and his M.A in International Relations and Global Politics from University of Michigan and the University of Windsor.

Today, Jason is a Principal at Canada's largest executive search firm, Odgers Berndtson in Toronto and is excited to be a member of THS' fantastic team. Jason and his family live in the Beach with their 2 new rescued lab crosses named Winston and Semper Fi.




Jordan Stone
Dogs have always been an important part of Jordan's life. He describes his relationship with Fred, a childhood "best buddy". "Fred and I bonded instantly. If you are a pet owner you know how that works. I couldn't wait to get home from school to walk and play with him. My parents divorced and Fred was really the only one there for me 24/7. We went everywhere together. I brought him downtown, uptown. He was my shadow and my light".

As a self-confessed animal lover "to the core", Jordan is a long-time supporter of the THS and an advocate for proper care for animals. He is an inspirational person who believes it would be an honour to be elected to serve on the board and contribute the Society's work in bringing abandoned pets together with people who will make them part of their lives. Jordan is active in community affairs and working with people, and experienced in not-for-profit board governance serving as a co-operative housing board director.







Tim Trow
Tim is a lawyer by profession, currently retired after 28 years with the Ministry of the Attorney General. For over 40 years, he has volunteered to help animals both at the THS and at several local volunteer groups. Tim was founder, and served as President, of Friends of Horses. He has also been Treasurer of Action Volunteers for Animals. Tim's advocacy has recently assisted in persuading the Provincial Governement to improve Bill 50, which changed the SPCA Act. These changes now provide better protection for the voices of Ontario's humane societies and independent animal rescue groups.

As a former president of the Society, Tim is in a unique position to understand how the Society's policies, both past and present, are in need of change. It's time to look to the future and for board members, employees and volunteers to work together.









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