2023-24 Muskoka Pride Community - Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of Muskoka Pride is a dedicated group of individuals from across Muskoka who volunteer their time to bring visibility and build acceptance and celebration of the 2SLGBTQ+ community of Muskoka. Elections are held every year at the Annual General Meeting held in the fall. Directors are elected to a 2-year term by the membership, and Executive and Lead positions are elected by the Board for a 1-year term.
MERV TAYLOR-MORIN - PRESIDENT
(he/him)
I have been a Registered Practical Nurse since 1974, and worked in nursing in Bracebridge 12 years and in Ottawa for 30 years. I hold an honors BA in sociology from Carleton University, with a queer history and rights focus. I have worked with the College of Nurses of Ontario. I was active with CUPE in human and gay rights. During my last 8 years in nursing, I was an educator and team leader. I revised and delivered the orientation program to all new staff. I was involved in the revision of the provincial resident assessment program, tools and guidelines, and known to be a positive and effective mentor for other homes in eastern Ontario.
Since I am retired now, I will have plenty of time to invest in Muskoka Pride and its Board. I can and will be available to support and assist other members of the Board as requested, and investigate the issues affecting our community.
(he/him)
I have been a Registered Practical Nurse since 1974, and worked in nursing in Bracebridge 12 years and in Ottawa for 30 years. I hold an honors BA in sociology from Carleton University, with a queer history and rights focus. I have worked with the College of Nurses of Ontario. I was active with CUPE in human and gay rights. During my last 8 years in nursing, I was an educator and team leader. I revised and delivered the orientation program to all new staff. I was involved in the revision of the provincial resident assessment program, tools and guidelines, and known to be a positive and effective mentor for other homes in eastern Ontario.
Since I am retired now, I will have plenty of time to invest in Muskoka Pride and its Board. I can and will be available to support and assist other members of the Board as requested, and investigate the issues affecting our community.
GLEN YACULA - TREASURER
(he/him)
I became a member of Muskoka Pride shortly after relocating to Bracebridge in 2014. As a member, I enjoyed attending and participating in several of the scheduled events that were offered throughout the year. I also actively volunteered for the organization, being reliable and dependable. I not only volunteered my time, but offered the skills and expertise I have, with my design background. I was thrilled to be recommended and accepted to be part of the Board in 2016, and then again in 2018. With having the experience of one term under my belt, I am confident to focus my efforts on areas within the organization that I feel would benefit from having a Board member dedicate their time and efforts to advance them from where they were a year ago.
(he/him)
I became a member of Muskoka Pride shortly after relocating to Bracebridge in 2014. As a member, I enjoyed attending and participating in several of the scheduled events that were offered throughout the year. I also actively volunteered for the organization, being reliable and dependable. I not only volunteered my time, but offered the skills and expertise I have, with my design background. I was thrilled to be recommended and accepted to be part of the Board in 2016, and then again in 2018. With having the experience of one term under my belt, I am confident to focus my efforts on areas within the organization that I feel would benefit from having a Board member dedicate their time and efforts to advance them from where they were a year ago.
SHAWN FORTH - SECRETARY
(he/him)
Shawn is a grade 2 teacher in Bracebridge. He is involved in several community organizations, including: Scouts Canada, the Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario, and Tourette Canada. Shawn is a member of the Trillium Lakelands DSB Positive Space committee. Shawn has been involved with Muskoka Pride since the first picnic back in 2009 and he hopes to help develop a sense of LGBTQ+ community within Muskoka.
(he/him)
Shawn is a grade 2 teacher in Bracebridge. He is involved in several community organizations, including: Scouts Canada, the Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario, and Tourette Canada. Shawn is a member of the Trillium Lakelands DSB Positive Space committee. Shawn has been involved with Muskoka Pride since the first picnic back in 2009 and he hopes to help develop a sense of LGBTQ+ community within Muskoka.
KELLIE LEEDER - Membership Lead
(she/her)
Hello my name is Kellie Leeder, I am a Ally with the 2S-LGBTQ individuals. I believe Love Is Love no matter who you Love. I work at the Gilbert Centre for Social and Support Services as the HIV Support Client Coordinator and I have been living with HIV for 38 years. I have been employed at the Gilbert Centre for six years. I have been volunteering with Muskoka Pride for 4 years on the Muskoka Pride Festival Committee and I am looking forward to connecting with everyone. My position on the Board is the Membership Lead, I am looking forward to connecting with all the members and developing a contact list to keep everyone up to date on volunteer opportunities and up and coming events happening in the Muskoka Area.
(she/her)
Hello my name is Kellie Leeder, I am a Ally with the 2S-LGBTQ individuals. I believe Love Is Love no matter who you Love. I work at the Gilbert Centre for Social and Support Services as the HIV Support Client Coordinator and I have been living with HIV for 38 years. I have been employed at the Gilbert Centre for six years. I have been volunteering with Muskoka Pride for 4 years on the Muskoka Pride Festival Committee and I am looking forward to connecting with everyone. My position on the Board is the Membership Lead, I am looking forward to connecting with all the members and developing a contact list to keep everyone up to date on volunteer opportunities and up and coming events happening in the Muskoka Area.
PAUL FINLEY - Volunteer Lead
(he/him)
This is Paul's fourth year on our board.
(he/him)
This is Paul's fourth year on our board.
STEPH TAYLOR - Social Activities Lead
(they/them))
This is Steph's second year on our board.
(they/them))
This is Steph's second year on our board.
ELLA FROST - Trans Ambassador
(she/her)
This is Ella's first year on our Board.
(she/her)
This is Ella's first year on our Board.
DEB DAVIES - Director-at-Large
(she/her)
This is Deb's eighth year on our Board
(she/her)
This is Deb's eighth year on our Board
GREG TITUS - Director-at-Large
(he/him)
This is Greg's fourth year on our Board.
(he/him)
This is Greg's fourth year on our Board.
MO OAKLEY - Director-at-Large
(she/her)
This is Mo's fourth year on our Board.
ROMY MELIS - Director-at-Large
(she/her)
This is Romy's first year on our Board.
