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Toronto Vegetarian AssociationFounded in 1945, the Toronto Vegetarian Association is a volunteer-driven charitable organization governed by an elected board of directors. Our 2010-2011 Board of Directors For information about our Board of Directors or to find out how you can get involved, please contact our board President, Fraser Gibson. Diane Burgin Diane Burgin
Diane has directly applicable skills for the TVA Board position: An undergraduate university degree in Accounting and her recent accreditation as a Certified Management Accountant. In addition to running her own business, she has worked for both small businesses and large corporations. Currently, Diane works as the Corporate Accountant for St. John’s Rehab Hospital, which is run similar to a not-for-profit organization. Having dealt with a wide variety of people in various professional and challenging business climates gives her strong analytical and problem-solving skills. After serving on the TVA Board over the last year, she is happy to see that there is good work being done by all and that the organization has so many dedicated volunteers. Diane is looking forward to continuing her work with the TVA and to continue contributing to the strategic direction of the organization. Viola DessantiNominating & Governance Committee Chair
Jess Eisen
Fraser GibsonPresident
I have previous board experience with non-profit arts organizations. In the workplace I’m a Vice-President at a national distributor of industrial fire, safety and environmental monitoring equipment and my responsibilities include facilitation of project teams and strategic planning. My specialty is supply chain management and I’m a professional member of the Logistics Institute. My journey to become a vegetarian started more than 30 years ago and approximately 9 years ago I adopted a vegan diet. Early inspiration was from an environmental/political perspective, then health, and I finally awoke to the ethical perspective a little over 10 years ago, assisted significantly by presentations at the TVA Food Fair that highlighted the importance of compassion for animals. TVA programs have had a significant positive impact on my approach to food. It is an honour to be able to give back and help support the organisation. In 2011 we start implementing a new strategic plan and I look forward to working on those initiatives and helping build on the success of TVA. I will work hard at further strengthening the organisation and enhancing the effectiveness of our programs and the message we deliver. Caroline Golinski
In addition to my work with TVA, I founded the York Animal Rights Group at York University, and have completed internships at both PETA and Farm Sanctuary. My diploma in early childhood education, 10 years of experience working with children, and 5 years working in administrative roles have given me excellent organization, communication and leadership skills. I went vegetarian half a lifetime ago, and have been vegan for the past 7 years. My motivation comes from a desire to see the end of animal exploitation, but I love the environmental and health benefits that veganism brings as well. I love TVA's mission: To inspire people to choose a healthier, greener, more peaceful lifestyle. My motivation to sit on the board of directors comes from wanting TVA to become even better at this mission. My interest in marketing and focus on results will be key in ensuring the greatest possible impact of our programs. We need to set clear goals, try out new marketing techniques, and take careful measurements so that we know which endeavours work best. I would like to see Google Analytics installed on veg.ca, a consistent message given to the public, and wider reaching marketing campaigns implemented. Then we measure, measure, measure to understand where our successes lie. TVA's programs do a great job of supporting and celebrating veg*ns. Moving forward, I would like to help ensure that we are even better at our mission, and inspire more people to move towards veg*n lifestyles. Alan Jaffee
Twyla Kowalenko
I have the word “ahimsa” tattooed on my left wrist. I chose this Sanskrit term for the principle of non-violence because it conveys how importantly I view living a life centred around compassion and respect for all beings. I become involved with TVA in 2003, when I worked as the PR and Marketing Coordinator for the Food Fair, because it allowed me to be to work with an organisation that positively supports the community in making more compassionate choices in their lives. A year ago my decision to join the Board of Directors was prompted by both the personal resonance of the TVA’s mission as well as a belief that there is much opportunity for the expansion of the reach of its support and promotion. Because of this desire to continually build on the great strengths and successes of the organisation, I have joined both the Programs Review Committee and Strategic Planning Committee in addition to serving on the Board. I have greatly appreciated this opportunity to contribute my breadth of experience and skills in a meaningful way to something that matters deeply to me. With a Masters in Social Work, my professional background includes program development, management, and evaluation, fundraising, advocacy, volunteer coordination, community outreach, and research, teaching, training, group facilitation, and event planning. I look forward to continually growing with a great organisation as we support the community in their compassionate, healthy and green choices. Jenny McQueenTreasurer
My personal vegan journey started with health, then a concern for animal suffering (which is now my motivating force), and more recently I've come to realize the huge environmental benefits too. Truly I feel that for whatever reason people choose to change their diet, it is to be applauded. I've served on the Board of Directors of TVA for ten years and am currently Treasurer. Previously I was President for two terms. I am a member of TVA's Audit & Finance Committee and the Veggie Challenge Team. In the United Kingdom I was a trustee of the Vegetarian Society of the UK and was involved in various volunteer capacities for a number of animal and environmental groups. I now volunteer with several wonderful Canadian organizations that campaign for the rights of animals. My day job is as a statistical analyst in the Ontario Government, Ministry of Children and Youth Services.
Peter McQueenSecretary and Communications Committee Chair
I am currently employed as an elementary teacher, but I also have a degree in Business and a certificate in Human Resources Management, both of which give me insights into organizational development, accounting and marketing. As well as being a financial supporter of and occasional volunteer with many animal rights and environmental organizations, I am the founder of the Canadian Organic Growers, a registered charity, on whose board I served for about a dozen years. TVA needs to continue to be welcoming of all people, a big tent that includes vegans, vegetarians and those interested in veg*ism, whatever their motivations. We need to continue to promote plant-based lifestyle choices using a responsible multi-faceted approach. Our board and volunteers need to reflect and encourage the engagement of all. Furthermore, I believe we need to continue to build a strong team of volunteers and staff, activists and professionals, who will make TVA the best local vegetarian group in the world! TVA must continue to act strategically, learning from our past, refining and improving our techniques, and maintaining our balanced approach. Our diversity is our strength. Udai SrinivasanFundraising and Membership Development Committee Chair
My experiences with the Toronto Vegetarian Association as a board member and as chair of the Fundraising and Membership Development Committee (FMDC) over the last year have only strengthened this conviction. As a Director on the board in 2011, I intend to contribute to TVA’s current positive growth by continuing initiatives which I worked on in 2010. This has included setting measurable and achievable targets for our fundraising programs to help close our budget deficit, with the eventual goal of creating a sustained budget surplus. It has also included a renewed emphasis on corporate sponsorship and major gifts fundraising. I would also like continue efforts to make our advertising and promotional offerings more easily understood to potential partners. These initiatives will contribute towards keeping our events inexpensive (or even free in the case of the Food Fair) for those who are interested in learning about numerous benefits of veg*nism. I recently completed my MBA at the Schulich School of Business, with a specialization in Non-Profit Management and am presently employed as a Development Officer at York University Foundation, the fundraising arm of York University. |
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Become a supporterSupport the Toronto Vegetarian Association today!
Donate Now - Visit our Online Donations Page or call us at 416-544-9800 and donate using your credit card. Questions? - Please call 416-544-9800 or send an email Toronto Vegetarian Association Tax receipts will be issued for amounts of $20 or greater. Our Charitable Registration Number is 119267532RR0001. |
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The Toronto Vegetarian Association is proudly supported by a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which builds healthy and vibrant communities in this great province. |
I have worked in the not-for-profit sector in some form or other for over 10 years and have always been interested in ways to live a more sustainable and peaceful lifestyle. During my Master in Public Policy at the University of Toronto I wanted to learn more about how not-for-profits like the Toronto Vegetarian Association can participate in the decision-making process that affects the communities that they serve. 
I am pleased to fulfil my third consecutive term on the Board of Directors of the Toronto Vegetarian Association. I am a lawyer working in the field of employment and occupational health and safety law, and I look forward to continuing to contribute my skills and experience to the Board. Prior to law school, I worked as a community organizer for a number of non-profit environmental and human rights organizations, where I gained experience in volunteer management and media relations. Further, I have served as a member of the TVA Board and the Nominating and Governance Committee for the past two years. In addition to my work with TVA, I have been a member of the Student Animal Legal Defence Fund, and have an article accepted for publication in the forthcoming edition of the Animal Law Review. 
I have been a core volunteer with TVA for 8 years. I have staffed countless outreach events, volunteered at the Food Fair, sat on the youth committee, contributed ideas to the new strategic plan, and organized TVA's most active social group, VITT (Vegetarians in Their Twenties). My commitment to TVA won me an Ontario Volunteer Service Award in 2008. 
My name is Alan Jaffee. I am happy to continue serving on the TVA Board of Directors. In support, I offer the Board the following relevant skills and experience: 
My motivation for serving on the board is to help steer the direction of TVA, a wonderful organization that has done so much over the years. I’m looking forward to building on the momentum of TVA's focus areas - compassion for animals; environment and health. Reaching out to a diverse audience and connecting with other organizations is one of the many drivers for our success. 
I have a long history with TVA, having served on the Board of Directors for 26 years in various capacities including President. Currently I am the Secretary of the board, the Chair of the Communications Committee and a member of the Nominating & Governance Committee. I have also volunteered on the Veggie Challenge Team. On the grassroots level, I often volunteer at TVA outreach opportunities. I became vegetarian 35 years ago, about half of that time I’ve been vegan. 