Dear MFRS friends,
We thank you for your patience as you may have heard of recent changes at MFRS. We are pleased to introduce ourselves as the new interim governance and operational board of MFRS. Following the resignation of the previous board and the Executive Director in February, a Special Meeting was held in compliance with MFRS bylaws on February 26, 2023 to elect an interim board. In the absence of an ED, this board will take on operational as well as governance functions until a new ED can be hired. In the meantime, staff member Valerie (Val) Cudmore is working as Interim Operations and Program Director to liaise between the board and day-to-day operations of MFRS and ensure program delivery continues smoothly.
We recognize that in times of change accountability is more critical than ever. We are committed to serving on the board because we value MFRS, the staff, and the unique role that MFRS plays within the settlement sector in Edmonton. We are dedicated to supporting the excellent work that staff continue to do with communities. We are prioritizing acting in alignment with the values of the organization and to ensure the wellbeing of staff and communities. This includes a renewed commitment to MFRS principles of Empowerment, Relational, Participant-Driven, and Culturally Responsive.
Stakeholders and partners are vital to the work MFRS does and we are excited to move forward together to work innovatively in the settlement sector and collaborate to best meet the needs of our communities.
We would like to publicly thank MFRS staff for their continued dedication to the newcomer families they work with.
In collaboration,
Winnie Chow-Horn, Chair
Kathy Toogood, Vice Chair
Ashima Sumaru-Jurf, Treasurer
San San Sy, Secretary
Lucenia Ortiz, Director at Large
Roxanne Felix-Mah, Director at Large