The BSWG Mandate

The Provincial Learning and Action Committee (PLAC) established the Board Supports Working Group (BSWG) to develop and implement a sustainable system of learning tools and activities that will strengthen the capacity of legal clinic board members to fulfill their governance role. While maintaining overall responsibility for the initiative, PLAC has delegated to the BSWG the authority to plan, develop and implement a range of supports that will reflect the diverse needs of clinic board members across Ontario.

 

Over Phase I of the project, the BSWG met weekly to develop a set of working procedures; a description of the roles and responsibilities for the position of Coordinator (needed to help carry out the work plan); and a detailed work plan outlining the task and activities designed to strengthen the capacity of legal clinic board members to fufill their governance role.

The resultant work plan for Phase II was approved by PLAC and has been carried out by the BSWG since. 

 

PLAC subsequently approved Phase III of the project which commenced April 1, 2008 with the end of this phase set for March 31, 2010.  Soon the BSWG will start work on plans for the next phase of provincial board learning.

The BSWG Team

  • Tracey Blanchet - Board Member, West Scarborough Community Legal Services, Greater Toronto
  • Dina Biro - Board Member, Dundurn Community Legal Services
  • Saleem Hall - Board Member, Neighbourhood Legal Services, Greater Toronto (BSWG co-chair)
  • Chris Killoran - Office Manager, South Ottawa Community Legal Services
  • Abdul Majeed - Board Member, North Peel & Dufferin Community Legal Services, Brampton
  • Gary Premo - Board Member, Algoma Community Legal Clinic (BSWG co-chair)
  • Carene Smith, Quality Service Office, Legal Aid Ontario, Toronto

 

Technical support and program administration provided by Daphne FitzGerald and Terrie Russell of BOARDrx Inc.
The BSWG would like to recognize those individuals who previously served on the BSWG:

Sandi Bell, ARCH & Hamilton Mountain

Beth Bellaire, Northumberland Community Legal Clinic

Nancy Daley, Rainy River District Community Legal Clinic

Susanne Hunter, Legal Aid Ontario

Denise Ireland, Chatham-Kent

Jawad Kassab, Legal Aid Ontario

Ann Martindale, ARCH Disability Law Centre

Kim Morris, Sudbury

Mary Pacuzzi, ED, Algoma

Luc Rivet, Elliott Lake

Susan Shaw, York Region

Evelyn Shore, ACTO

Hugh Tye, ED, Hamilton Mountain

Steve Webster, Ottawa South

Larry Woolley, Algoma