The Whistler Forum this week introduced Jeanette Callahan as the new board chair.
Callahan will replace Peter Shrimpton, who headed the board since the inception of the organization .
The Whistler Forum for Dialogue sponsors the popular Dialogue Cafes as well as several other programs, including the Leadership Sea to Sky Program.
Shrimpton, who is stepping down as chair after three years, will take on a new role in developing the "Friends of the Forum". This group will support the Whistler Forum’s work and programs through a pledge of time, money, expertise and other resources.
The Whistler Forum is also adding a new board member to its ranks. Joe Weiler is a professor of law at UBC and a Whistler businessman. Callahan said he "…will do a very good job for us with his extensive academic, legal and business background."
As outgoing chair, Shrimpton secured charitable status for the Whistler Forum’s Leadership Sea to Sky and November’s Summit on Collaborative Governance and the Asia Pacific.
"We have been working diligently to get charitable status for the Forum and this is very good news from CRA (Canada Revenue Agency)," said Shrimpton. "When the paperwork is completed we will be ready by September to take the Forum to a whole new funding level to serve the people of Whistler and beyond."
Board members Tim Wake and Dr. Lauren Shaw have also received funding to participate in the Aspen Institute’s Wilderness Seminar over the next few months.
"This continues to forge our relationship with the Aspen Institute as a vibrant centre in a mountain resort community that fosters dialogue, leadership and innovation," said Wake.
B.C. Hydro has also agreed to a three-year funding support of Leadership Sea to Sky, a program that is committed to promoting and fostering leadership in the corridor.
"This commitment from Hydro to support a participant and a learning day each year for the next three years shows their confidence in us to deliver this important community leadership program," said William Roberts, president of the Whistler Forum. "It also demonstrates Hydro’s leadership in providing sustaining funding which is so essential and symbolic for new organizations like ours."
November’s Summit on Collaborative Governance and the Asia Pacific also received $30,000 in funding from the Institute for Asian Research at UBC. The institute’s program on Dispute Resolution Research is contributing the funds that will bring approximately 50 decision-makers, leaders, academics and practitioners to Whistler from Nov. 9 to 11.
