CMHA (Saskatchewan Division) Inc. Annual General Meeting
2019-2020 Provincial Board Election Slate
8:30 a.m., Friday, June 7/19
Sheraton Cavalier Hotel
TOP OF THE INN
612 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon, SK
PRESIDENT
Susan Grohn
Susan Grohn is a nurse and Grey Nuns graduate. She sat on the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association Disciplinary Committee for two terms.
Susan has served on several boards in the community such as the Church Board, Bursary Committee and the CMHA Weyburn Branch Board.
Susan has served on the CMHA Weyburn Branch Board for 17 years, serving in the capacity of both President and Vice-President. She has been very influential in promoting CMHA in the community by working closely with the media. Susan has also been instrumental in providing education and awareness in the schools and has played an active role on the Parent Teacher Association for Suicide Prevention and Intervention. She has also been an active chairperson for the suicide focus group.
Susan originally became a member of the CMHA Provincial Board in 2003. She served as President from 2006 to 2009 and as Past President from 2009-2012. Currently Susan serves as the CMHA Saskatchewan Division representative on the CMHA National Board.
For several years Susan owned and operated a personal care home in Weyburn until her recent retirement.
TREASURER
Bryan Leier
Bryan Leier grew up on a mixed faming operation around the Sedley/Francis area. He was a small business operator for 25 years and currently works as a Manager at the Bennett Dunlop Ford Collision Centre.
Bryan has served on the Sedley Village Council since 1988 – serving as a Councillor for 20 years and Mayor for 11 years. He has served on many community boards in Sedley and remains active as a volunteer for the Fire Department and chairs the Parks and Recreation Committee for the Village of Sedley.
Bryan has served on many provincial bodies including Chair of the Conexus Arts Centre (11 years), Director and Finance Committee Chair of the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (10 years), and Board Chair for the Health Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (14 years) to name just a few.
He currently sits as a Director and past Vice-Chair of the Apprentice and Trade Certification Commission and is also an industry representative on the Sask. Auto Dealers Association. Bryan is also a Director on the Saskatchewan Collission Repair Association (SAAR). He has been a member of the Canadian Mental Health Association (Saskatchewan Division) Board for several years, serving as the Finance Committee Chair.
With extensive board experience, Bryan has spent a considerable amount of time working with organizations to establish solid planning, governance, and short and long term strategic planning, along with solid financial determinants.
He enjoys community affairs, politics, cars and Arizona. Bryan is married to Rose and they have three children and three grandchildren.
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Jasmine Beriault
Jasmine is currently a Human Resources Manager with Sask Central. She has over twelve years of professional experience having worked for both the federal and provincial governments, as well as the not-for-profit sector.
Jasmine is Cree and a member of Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan.
She is a strong proponent for lifelong learning and is currently working towards her Master’s in Human Resources Management. Mental health is a subject of interest for her on both a personal and professional level; and she is committed to engaging pathways within the community and workplace that support individual wellbeing.
Marcie Nugent
Marcie Nugent is a registered Social Worker certified in psychosocial rehabilitation and Reality Therapy. She completed her BA in psychology and a BSW at the University of Regina in 2005 and her MSW at the University of Regina in 2010.
Marcie’s clinical work has focused on adults that are working on mental health and well-being concerns. After completing her undergraduate studies, she worked at Phoenix Residential Society as a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Practitioner in both the Westview concurrent disorders program and the Phoenix Assisted Living (PALS) program assisting individuals with addictions and persistent mental health problems in various stages of their recovery journey.
Since 2011, Marcie has worked as the Coordinator of Online Therapy Unit for Service Education and Research at the University of Regina. The Online Therapy Unit to develops and evaluates online services for anxiety, depression, chronic pain and chronic health conditions (onlinetherapyuser.ca).
Marcie has always been interested in increasing the range of services available for people in recovery. Her graduate research focused on the training of peer specialists, people with lived experience, to use their expertise to assist those working on their recovery within mainstream mental health services. Presently, Marcie is exploring Social and Therapeutic Horticulture and the idea of Green Care to increase health outcomes for individuals.
In her personal time, Marcie enjoys spending time outdoors with her loving husband and two beautiful daughters.
REGIONAL DELEGATES
Erskine Sandiford
Erskine Sandiford has served in the field of Human Relations for over fifty years. He started Psychiatric Nurse’s training in 1957 and completed the course in 1960, registering with the Saskatchewan Psychiatric Nurses’ Association. He immediately took office in the S.P.N.A. and later served as President of the branch in North Battleford and Weyburn. To hone his skills, he completed the Diploma in Advanced Psychiatric Nursing in 1971. In 1973 he accepted a position with Wascana Institute as a Psychiatric Nursing Instructor until his retirement in 1987.
Erskine not only served professionally, but has spent countless hours as a volunteer for several organizations such as the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Kidney Foundation, the Salvation Army, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Mental Health Association. Erskine has served as President of CMHA at both the Branch and Provincial levels.
At the CMHA National Conference in Prince Edward Island in 2001, Erskine was presented with the National Distinguished Service Aware in recognition of his achievements to advance the work of the Canadian Mental Health Association in Saskatchewan.
Erskine is an excellent listener, thinks ideas through in a proactive way and has a way of making things happen at both the Branch and Provincial level. This is why clients will go to Erskine with their concerns. He is easy to work with and is available whenever needed. He has a wealth of knowledge about mental health and mental illness. He is a community-minded person, who advocates for persons oppressed in one way or another. Erskine is always willing to give of his time and talent to help.
Kimberly Bitz
Kimberly Bitz is an Occupational Therapist with the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Weyburn Community Recovery Team at Mental Health and Addiction Services. She is passionate about physical and community mental health and strives to create a positive impact in the community. You might even say that Kimberly will “go the distance” for what she cares about. In 2013 she raised funds for the Arthritis Society, hosting fundraising events and running a marathon in Rome with the “Joints in Motion” team. Kimberly first became involved with CMHA Weyburn in 2013 while she was completing a fieldwork placement for a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree with the University of Regina. She followed that with a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta.
During her time at the University of Alberta, Kimberly had an opportunity to work with clients at Boyle Street Community services. Boyle Street provides services to a range of clients who are living with homelessness, addictions and mental health issues. Through its street outreach and educational programs, Boyle Street expanded Kimberly’s knowledge and interest in addictions, harm reduction and social justice. This knowledge and the values of social justice continue to influence Kimberly’s ongoing involvement in mental health.
Kimberly is the current Chairperson for the Board of Directors for CMHA Weyburn, and her commitment and experience has greatly benefitted the branch. Whether helping at an event, proof reading proposals, writing letters of support to funders, or reviewing candidates for employment within our branch, she has positively influenced our day-to-day operations, programs, services and events.
Bill Pringle
Currently a consultant to the CMHA Saskatoon Branch Board and a member of CMHA National, Bill has served in a variety of roles with CMHA for the past 15 years plus, including on the CMHA Saskatoon Branch Board for 8, which is the maximum term for Directors. His roles have included President of the CMHA Saskatoon Branch as well as being on the CMHA Saskatchewan Division Board as second Vice-President. Bill was appointed Saskatchewan Representative for the National Council of People with Lived Experience.
Bill has served as a Board Member of the Storybook Theatre Company, the Stephen Avenue Mall in Calgary and the Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon. He also served as a founder of the Calgary Santa Claus Parade.
Not only does Bill contribute to the development and planning of special events, public and media relations, advertising and promotions, he is an astute and valued contributor in areas including intergovernmental relations, union relations, strategic planning and organizational development. He is a hard-working volunteer who ensures he is up to date on issues and developments impacting us, whether that is locally, provincially or nationally. Bill is an important source of knowledge and connections for us across the movement, putting the vision and goals of CMHA first in much of what he does.
Bill is committed to breaking down the barriers and stigmas related to mental health by advancing public education and awareness, especially for people with lived experience. Whether benefitting from CMHA services or promoting the vision and mission of CMHA, Bill advocates normalcy for those with lived experience.
Bill is a strong advocate for human rights, inclusion and access to supports for people with lived experience, always demonstrating empathy and respect. As a Board member and now consultant, Bill is diligent in ensuring accountability as well as the strategic growth of CMHA Saskatoon Branch. He was part of the Board Team providing executive leadership when we needed it. He is a trusted and loyal member, and has a vast knowledge of our Branch and the people and organizations that have been, and are involved with us.
Bill delivers workshops and presentations at conferences. He is a mentor and leader for his peers as well as all those he works with. Bill empowers those around him to share their voice and experiences, knowing that those with lived experiences must be at the center of all we do.
Bill is passionate about the mental health movement from local to provincial to national, its history and vision and ensures a strong connection for CMHA Saskatoon Branch. Bill believes in and promotes the power of many in advancing mental health for all.
In summary, Bill Pringle brings his professional knowledge and experience to all the roles he has played for CMHA. He continues to promote the awareness and value of attention to mental health needs in our local, provincial and national CMHA communities. Bill has been a most valued and instrumental member of the CMHA family.