Gerald Hardy Memorial Society elects new board of directors

Gerald Hardy Memorial Society elects new board of directors

By Joanne Jordan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

SHEET HARBOUR — The Gerald Hardy Memorial Society (GHMS) installed a new volunteer board of directors during its annual general meeting (AGM) on April 30.

The GHMS, a non-profit organization that incorporated in 1995 and became a registered charity one year later is named for Gerald Hardy Jr., a former community member and program resident.

“Our AGM was a huge success, with more than 30 people attending,” outgoing GHMS board chair Susan Foote told The Journal in an email interview. “It was an excellent opportunity to thank our community partners and supporters, and to showcase who we are and what we do.”

Jonathan Cumminger, a board member for three years, including last year as vice-chair, has taken over as chair, with Foote staying on as a non-voting director in the position as past chair, and an advisor and ambassador for the society.

Foote described Cumminger as “our wordsmith and my sounding board,” adding, “[he] generally helps keep us on track.”

Cumminger thanked Foote for her efforts as board chair.

“I hope that I can continue the work that the board must face in this upcoming year,” he said.

Cumminger added, “My plans for the GHMS are to move forward with the priorities that we set as a board, and to build upon the great work that our board, executive director, community volunteers/members and, most importantly, our participants have begun.

“My hopes for the future of the GHMS is that we can continue to grow and become even stronger in our small community, better able to serve our participants in the GHMS, as well as to move forward with our food bank and grow it.”

Cumminger also shared why he decided to join the GHMS board.

“I am a big supporter for the work of not only the GHMS but also the Rainbow Food Bank. I feel that both organizations are essential pillars in our community,” he said.

Foote noted, “In these hard economic times, our food bank is extremely busy.”

Along with the food bank, GHMS operates an online auction and the Cascades Thrift Shop, which she said, “acts as a hub for community inclusion and skills development.”

The GHMS adult service centre for persons with intellectual, physical and/or long-term mental health disabilities, which has seven members, provides community based and in-house day programming including employment skills, success planning, social and life enhancement activities and community involvement. It is funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services.

“A group of interested parents and residents who recognized the need for services for a marginalized sector of the community presented a proposal to the department,” Foote explained, noting the GHMS formed after the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) chapter disbanded.

GHMS’s priorities include focusing on the individual needs, challenges and aspirations of participants; networking, collaboration and education to increase resources for the society and those they serve; and ensuring a safe environment for all.

Its mission is “to enhance the quality of life of adults with disabilities by strengthening community ties, reducing barriers to opportunity and helping them reach their full potential.”

During the AGM, Kayla Cavanaugh and Susan Hawkley, who will serve as secretary, were welcomed as new GHMS board members.

Fonda Munroe, who volunteers on the policy and recruitment committees, and Edith Marshall, a third-year member of the board and a recruitment committee volunteer, who also takes minutes and volunteers in the food bank, will remain as board directors.

Lorraine Snyder, Robyn Murphy, Dianne MacDonald and Craig Arsenault did not return to the board of directors.

During the AGM, Foote acknowledged and paid respect to Janet Briggs, a former GHMS chair and vice-chair, who passed away in 2023.

“It was through her forward thinking and leadership we were able to put in place the board structure we rely upon today,” she said, adding “Janet had a special connection with our participants and affinity for the important work of the society in the community and in the lives of those we serve.”

Foote said she is thankful to have had the opportunity to promote the society’s work and its mission.

“For me as outgoing chair, the AGM was a realization of part of my vision of increasing the visibility of the GHMS, vision of a community where persons with disabilities live their best lives.”

Joanne Jordan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Guysborough Journal