GWSA 2021-2022 Annual Report

Ross Knechtel is active with the Computer Club, Computer Mentoring, the Into Focus
Photography Club, the Silvertones Choir, and the Membership & Marketing Committee. Ross
was elected to the GWSA Board of Directors in 2017 and he resigned in March of 2019 in order
to go public about the controversial “secret meeting” regarding the future of GWSA Community
Support Services. He was re-elected at the Special Members Meeting held on May 13, 2019, to
serve the balance of a three-year term. At the 2020 AGM, he was elected to an additional threeyear
term on the Board of Directors.
Teresa McKeeman spent 31 years working as a frontline worker and in administration in the
social services department at the County of Wellington. She was actively involved in the
Steering Group that led to the development of the Better Beginnings, Better Futures parent
support program in the Shelldale community. Since retirement, she has been an avid volunteer
with different community programs, including a number of years at GWSA with the Community
Support Services. She is particularly interested in the GWSA strategic priority of ensuring
programs and services are diverse and equitable and she looks forward to exploring opportunities
to increase our presence in the community.
Janice Robertson has been a lifelong resident of Guelph and a member of the Senior Centre
since her retirement in 2007. Janice taught elementary school with a variety of teaching
specialties, as well as regular classroom grades. She taught all grades from 1-8 as well as
Special Education classes, Learning Disability, Behaviour and Gifted. She finished her career at
College Avenue School as a resource teacher. She is pleased to be on the Board to contribute to
the vibrant and necessary programs that the senior community in Guelph enjoys due to the
Evergreen staff and volunteers.
Brian Smith joined the GWSA in 2019 and became President in 2021. He chairs the Board of
Directors, Executive Committee, Governance Committee, and Human Resources Management
Committee, and is actively managing the website. Brian brings diverse qualifications and
experience from a career of 37 years in education. As a school administrator, he provided
leadership on many committees, became a founding member of the local Ontario Principals’
Council, and received Supervisory Officer certification from the Ministry of Education. He
recently completed six years on the Board of Directors of Shelldale Family Gateway, which
supports a diverse community, including many of Guelph’s most vulnerable children, youth, and
adults.
Roger Stevens, prior to retirement, worked for NCR as a Customer Service representative for 26
years. He served as a volunteer for the CSS Outreach program, along with his wife Kathy. He is
also a member of the Canoe Club. He previously has served as Treasurer for the Canadian
Speedway Racing Association. Roger was elected to the Board in May 2019 and is serving on
the GWSA Board as Treasurer.
Adam Rutherford (City Representative) is the City of Guelph’s Program Manager of
Programming and Community Development. For more than 20 years, Adam has been working
with, advocating for, and developing programs in partnership with community members of all
ages. Adam’s work has focused on engagement, innovative program development, and the needs
of marginalized and underserved populations. He’s a middle-aged skateboarder, lover of film and
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