Straight Talk

Ellen Woodsworth seeks Vancity board seat

by Carlito Pablo on March 26th, 2014 at 9:59 AM
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      A long line of endorsers is backing Ellen Woodsworth for the board of the $17-billion Vancouver City Savings Credit Union.

      From current and former MLAs to labour leaders, community figures, and activists, all are saying that the former Vancouver councillor and tireless social-justice advocate deserves a seat.

      “The values are the same as my values,” Woodsworth told the Straight by phone about Vancity. “The cooperative is run by its members. It puts money back into the community, for housing, for the environment and nonprofit organizations. That’s what I like to work for.”

      Jennifer Johnstone, president and CEO of Central City Foundation, is one of her admirers. Johnstone had this to say on Woodsworth’s website: “Ellen’s years of professional work and community advocacy for women, seniors, the LGBTQ community and others, together with her services as a Vancouver City Councillor ensures she brings strong, strategic financial acumen, demonstrated leadership for change, remarkable systems thinking and an unwavering commitment to community and cooperative values.”

      However, one big question is whether or not Woodsworth is good enough in the estimation of Vancity’s nominations and election committee.

      In 2011, Vancity’s board started recommending chosen candidates, which hasn’t sat well with some members. One of these critics is Wilson Parasiuk, former president of Vancity Enterprises, a subsidiary of the credit union. A former Manitoba NDP cabinet member, Parasiuk decried it as “undemocratic”, likening the process in a 2012 Straight interview to a “rigged election”.

      Vancity chair Virginia Weiler and board member Patrice Pratt defended the practice in 2012 and 2013 interviews with the Straight as a system supported by members.

      Sixteen candidates are vying for three board seats this year. Vancity will release details on Monday (March 31) and voting ends April 25.

      Comments

      2 Comments

      Sharon Yandle

      Mar 26, 2014 at 12:30pm

      I was one who supported the changes, thinking it was a good idea for candidates to have needed skills and experience for the board. I still think so but I was wrong in assuming some transparent, objective process would ensue. The board recommends who should (and by extension should not) be on the board. Funny how they keep recommending themselves. To find Ellen Woodsworth in the "not-recommended" category is a travesty. As a VanCiy member for umpteen years who always, always voted in every election, I didn't vote at all last time - my little humble protest. This time, even though I know there are good candidates running, I plan to vote for only one: Ellen Woodsworth, and I urge everyone to do the same.

      Sharon Yandle

      Mar 26, 2014 at 12:56pm

      Re-reading my comment I see that I jumped the gun. I meant to say that not recommending Ellen "would be" a travesty. Must be my cynicism showing through. We'll see what transpires on March 31st.