L to R: Antonio Marante, Kim Stacey, Lucy Duncan, Kyla Turner, Katrina Jensen, Patrick McDougall. Missing: Kari Hackett, Karen McConnell, Jenny McDougall, Wendy Stevens (taken October 2019)
On October 22nd, Pacific AIDS Network (PAN) members take to the polls… at our annual general meeting (AGM). Although more information will be forthcoming about those running for election this year, we thought we would take a few moments to share some information about our existing Board members, their duties and the network that they govern.
At last year’s AGM, our election process reflected our bylaws (passed in 2018) and underlying governance structure that was changed to better reflect the diversity of membership and the communities we work with. The membership voted to fill the newly created seats specifically designated for an Indigenous representative, as well as someone with lived/living experience of hepatitis C. Under Bylaw 50 PAN can have up to fourteen directors, elected by membership – half are representing the Health Authority regions, the PHSA and the FNHA; and at least half are people living with HIV (PLHIV) and/or with lived experience of hepatitis C. Check out the existing team.
Our Board works hard in making sure that PAN fulfills its mission and does so responsibly, respectfully, and ethically. The board is also ultimately responsible for the networks financial management. PAN is a dynamic organization (even more so in these COVID-19 days), and board members play a vital role bringing forward regional and cultural perspectives as well as the voices of lived experiences, to every aspect of governance. Details about their role can be found here.
Thanks to the Board and the staff, PAN is a well-established, not-for-profit and charitable organization. We currently support over 40 community-based and allied organizations who are providing essential HIV, hepatitis C, and harm reduction services in every region of BC. PAN facilitates communication and the sharing of evidence and best practices, provides professional/workforce development to its members, and offers leadership training to people living with HIV (PLDI) (and we’re in the process of developing a similar program for people with lived hepatitis C experience). PAN facilitates networking and research opportunities and provides evaluation services, supports and guidance,
We also undertake collective action to influence public perceptions and policies affecting persons living with HIV, hepatitis C and those most “at risk.” This includes challenging stigma and discrimination, as well as advocating for sustained and sufficient funding for our members and others on the front lines.
PAN sits at many provincial and national tables and we utilize our relationship with government officials, health authority representatives and other stakeholders to advance the concerns and move the collective priorities of our membership forward. One area that is presently of great concern is supporting our members in responding to the dual public health emergencies of COVID-19 and the overdose/drug poisoning crisis.
In term of education and capacity building, every week we are committed to delivering news and views from the sector, generating and expanding helpful tools for organizations. We also regularly produce webinars and provide other virtual offerings, and numerous other resources.
Thank you to our current board members, who over the past year, have volunteered their time to provide the oversight, expertise and passion that good governance requires. We look forward to revealing a new slate of candidates next month.