On Thursday March 25, 2021, all members of the Roulant, including volunteers, clients, donors and staff active within the last year, are invited to attend our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and cast their ballots.
The assembly will elect new candidates to the Board of Directors of Santropol Roulant, for a 2 year mandate. Electing Board members is a significant event for the Roulant! There are FOUR POSITIONS to fill on the Board this election.
We hope that this post provides helpful information for your vote. Note that all names are presented in alphabetical order based on the first name.
Outgoing Board Members Up for Re-Election
Meet the 3 outgoing board members who have completed their 2-year term, and wish to run for re-election.
Athanasios Mihou
Teacher, CEGEP Victoriaville
- Key words to describe yourself: Teacher, Passionate, Farmer, Father, Generous
- Key Skills: Agriculture, Food Security, Finance, Nonprofit and social entrepreneurship, Knowledge of the nonprofit sector
Describe the experience or skill set you bring to the Board
I have 12 years of experience in urban agriculture in Montreal and know a lot about farming in Quebec. This gives me a great perspective to help out with the decisions around the farm and the urban agriculture projects at the Roulant. I have worked for non profits for 10 years and also started my own business, so I am comfortable with the different structures, budgets, etc. I have a great international network in agriculture and food security which I can rely on to help out at the Roulant. I’ve been on the board the last 2 years and have been on the finance committee, this gave me a good scope and understanding of the organizations needs and challenges.
Describe why you are interested in a role on the Board of Directors
I can help with the governance of the organization, can help support the various employees in the urban ag. and agriculture projects at the Roulant. I love to challenge and understand the inner workings and being on the board allows me to do so. It would be an honour to serve again and bring my expertise to the table.
Jon Kalina
Television Writer/Director
- Key words to describe yourself: Communicator, Food Enthusiast, Sociable, Curious
- Key Skills: Knowledge of local and provincial government processes
Describe the experience or skill set you bring to the Board
Having served for four years on the board I feel I know the organization (as well as the community) quite well. My years as a journalist and filmmaker have also given me media skills that I have shared with the Roulant.
Describe why you are interested in a role on the Board of Directors
The Roulant is a complex and important community organization. The Board of Directors has a governance responsibility that is integral to being to accomplish its mission. It is an honour and a privilege to continue to serve on the board for one more term.
Lorenzo Daieff
Project manager, Récolte
- Key words to describe yourself: Thoughtful, Collaborative, Enthusiastic, Dedicated, Funny at times
- Key skills: Food Security, Nonprofit and social entrepreneurship, Knowledge of the nonprofit sector, Knowledge of local and provincial government processes
Describe the experience or skill set you bring to the Board
I have worked in the past as a consultant for organizations (strategic planning, program evaluation), and I am currently working for a non-profit in the food space in Montreal. I bring to the Roulant’s Board structured thinking, experience on a Board (including the Roulant’s Board for the past two years), knowledge of food systems, and a strong interest in the current strategic plan, having been a member of the strategic planning committee last year. I have also volunteered for the Roulant in the kitchen and delivery, where I developed my initial passion for the organization, its community, and its mission. That passion continues to drive my involvement today.
Describe why you are interested in a role on the Board of Directors
Volunteering with the Roulant in the kitchen and in delivery was my entry point into the organization. Having since joined the Board in 2019, I am interested in continuing my involvement there, for three reasons. First, because I find it a rich place of learning about how a community organization runs and functions; secondly, because I have a great amount of appreciation for the other people on the Board; and last but not least, because I believe I can continue to contribute – through my effort, know-how and a collaborative disposition – to the good governance of the Roulant, and in particular, to monitoring the implementation, from the board’s perspective, of its current strategic plan.
New Candidates up for Election
Meet the following 2 new candidates, also running for election on the Board of Directors.
Serge Lebeau
Retired agronomist and company director
- Key words to describe yourself: Loyal, Honest, Rigorous, Deep belief in the collective, Human
- Key skills: Food Security, Agriculture, Law, Human Resources, Finance, Nonprofit and social entrepreneurship, Knowledge of local and provincial government processes, Knowledge of nonprofit sector
Describe the experience or skill set you bring to the Board
As secretary of the Quebec Eggs Producers (FPOQ), I acquired a detailed knowledge of several laws and regulations. I not only had to manage the finances of the organizations I worked for, I was also the boss of several employees. As a director of several organizations including the Sacré-Cœur Hospital Foundation (FHSC), I am familiar with fundraising. Food security was at the heart of my concerns when I was at UPA. I had to defend the notion of food security as well as supply management systems within government bodies and the main United Nations organizations (WTO and FAO). My recent experiences at D3Pierres have allowed me to work closely with the municipal world, the world of NPOs and social reintegration. Finally, knowing that the activities of the Roulant revolve around food and agricultural production, my training as an agronomist seems an asset to me.
Describe why you are interested in a role on the Board of Directors
My motivations are many, but one of them is working the land and agricultural production. I have been a retired agronomist for 3 years. Through my volunteer involvement, I want to give back to society what it has generously provided to me in areas related to my experience and training. My involvement in boards of directors (Desjardins, FHSC-UPA international development, Laval University) in organizations that advocate collective action, my past experiences at the UPA, the FPOQ and my knowledge of agriculture to me. lead to think that a position of administrator within the CA of Santropol is the best contribution that I can make.
Tara Bhardwaj
Community Mobilization Manager / Outgoing Fundraising Coordinator at Santropol Roulant
- Key words to describe yourself: Passionate, Adaptable, Balanced, Articulate, Decisive
- Key skills: Food Security, Systems in health and social services, Nonprofit and social entrepreneurship, Fundraising, Knowledge of local and provincial government processes
Describe the experience or skill set you bring to the Board
Looking at my life, it’s clear that my passion for community work has informed my choices. From working in a legal clinic supporting low-income South Asians, to teaching English to newcomers, to working at the Roulant in fundraising, and most recently doing policy and advocacy work in my hometown. I know I will bring this passion to the Board. Having worked at two food security organizations, I have a very strong understanding of the issues, as well as what nonprofits need to carry out their mission. Studying public policy while working in the sector, I see how the big picture and the day-to-day must work together to strengthen communities. In my current position, I’m bringing together nonprofits, all levels of government, and communities to influence policy decisions. This gives me a well-rounded, balanced understanding, which I know would be an asset to the Board. I am also extremely familiar with the Roulant and its strategic priorities. I believe in the Roulant with all my heart and it would be an honour to be elected.
Describe why you are interested in a role on the Board of Directors
I am extremely invested in the work of the Roulant. What interests me about the Board in particular is that it focuses on the Roulant’s big picture impact, and thinks in the long term. As someone interested in policy, I am passionate about this perspective. Even while working at the Roulant, when I had the chance to do any kind of volunteering I wanted in my spare time, I found myself drawn to the Board. I volunteered on two Board committees, and that work has been some of the most gratifying in my time with the organization. On the Governance Committee, I learned about the Roulant’s bylaws, discussed what it means to be a member of this community, and planned 3 AGMs. On the Safer Space Committee, I co-wrote the new Policy on Harassment, and reflected on what defines the Roulant’s organizational culture. This work made me realize that now more than anything, I want to be even more involved in this capacity.