Wind of change sweeps Military Family Resource Centre

Peter Mallett, 
Staff Writer

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A familiar face has been elected as the new Chair of the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) Board of Directors.

Captain (Capt) Braden Greaves was elected to the position following a vote at the MFRC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sept. 28. He has been an MFRC Board of Directors member for the past four years.

“I get to work with a passionate group of people who all share my commitment to supporting military families,” he said. “I am also grateful for the support and confidence of other members and am excited to work with them to ensure the MFRC provides the best possible support to our members.”

The MFRC is an independent, non-profit charitable organization at Canadian Armed Forces bases and wings across the country, addressing the needs of Canada’s military families.

The MFRC Board of Directors is a governance body of up to 12 members, supporting the MFRC by establishing policy and setting long-term goals. The Board is guided by the Societies Act of British Columbia and is responsible to the military family community. The Base, Fleet, and Formation Chiefs guide the Board as ex-officio members while the Board provides strategic direction to the MFRC.

During the AGM, the Board bid farewell to two long-term members: Samantha Krzywonos, who served the board as a member and Chair for the last ten years, and Kathy Cook, who served as Treasurer for the last ten years. Jackie Carlé, MFRC Executive Director, said the two will be acknowledged with a commemorative brick at the Homecoming statue at Ships Point in downtown Victoria.

Capt Greaves said volunteering his time with the non-profit was a natural decision.

“I am excited to bring my knowledge and experiences as a serving member, former military spouse, and lawyer to the board and give back to the community,” he said.

His goals for the MFRC include maintaining its excellent relationship with base leadership, expanding the MFRC programming at the Colwood Pacific Activity Centre (CPAC), and continuing to press for more Military Family Support (MFS) funding to enable the MFRC to support military families in the community better.

Other members of the MFRC Board of Directors include:

• Vice-Chair: Leta Martin, Vancouver Island Health Authority employee;
• Treasurer: Glen Thomas, a retired Naval Logistics Officer with 37 years of service in the RCN;
• Secretary: Megan Chong, Privacy Specialist in the Information Stewardship, Access & Privacy Office at Vancouver Island Health Authority;
• Erin Walsh, a lead analyst with the Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General of British Columbia;
• Emily Zhong, a civilian employee of the Department of National Defence (DND);
• Kateryna Bandura, Lookout Newspaper editor;
• Christine Richard, Executive Assistant at Royal Roads University;
• Kayla Whitesel, Senior Business Solutions Analyst for Regroove Solutions of Victoria and Canadian Army Reservist with 39 Signal Regiment. 

Carlé said Board members always displayed dedication to the Esquimalt MFRC.

“Serving on the board can be a very demanding and rewarding experience, and I am looking forward to working with such a dynamic and diverse group of people,” she said.

For more information about the MFRC, its programs and support, visit esquimaltmfrc.com.