Executive Committee 2011-2012

Bronwen Welch, President  Phone:  370-3342/3594

I did my graduate work in feminist approaches to medieval literature, and now I teach English literature and composition as well as Creative writing here at Camosun.  I adore my students and feel that they need the very best in education that we can give them—hence my belief in the CCFA and its fervent support of both students and instructors.  I joined the CCFA executive in 2007 as a Member at Large. I went on from there to become the Term Representative, then the Vice President, and now the President. I am also a member of the Negotiating Committee, the Contract Management Committee, and the Labour Management Committee.   In my free time I pace and talk a bit too much to my cat, Oscar.

E-mail: welchb@camosun.bc.ca

Candace Fertile, Vice President  Phone:  370-3354

I have a Ph.D. in English from the University of Alberta, and my two passions in life are reading and travelling. Apart from my commitment to union participation, I am a member of the editorial collective for Room, Canada's oldest literary journal by women, and I write book reviews for several Canadian publications. I believe that teaching is an honourable profession (it's also deeply satisfying and fun), and I'm proud to be a faculty member at Camosun College.  

 

Darryl Ainsley, Chair: Contract Negotiating Committee  phone:  370-3480

I have worked at Camosun College since 1997, first in the Adult Basic Education department and more recently as a Learning Skills counsellor and instructor.  I have been active in the union since 2001 serving as Chair of the Contract Management Committee, President, and most frequently as Chair of the Contract Negotiations Committee. When I am in non-instructor-union mode, I play the guitar (badly) and golf (even worse).  I like wine (this I do well) and, owing to a childhood spent in the north, hold my own at playing cards (family gatherings are fierce).  I’m currently learning Italian, but so far non parlo italiano.

Elizabeth West, Chair: Professional Development Committee     phone:  370-3691

I have an M.A. in linguistics and teach academically bound second-language students at Camosun College; the hard work and goals of these diverse and engaging students continue to feed my enthusiasm for teaching.  I research areas of second-language learning and teaching, write about this, and present regularly at conferences.  While a Camosun faculty member, I have also taught in China and Vietnam. I believe strongly that professional development is a vital part of our work, enabling faculty to remain excited and current.  As PD Chair, I have the privilege and pleasure of seeing the many areas of professional development that faculty here engage in.  When I am not at Camosun, I can often be found on the water, either sailing or rowing. I am also an avid traveller and do so at any opportunity.

E-mail: fertile@camosun.bc.ca

E-mail: gascoyne@camosun.bc.ca

E-mail: west@camosun.bc.ca

Mark Kunen, Member at Large   

Becky Mason, Member at Large     Phone:  370-4478

Debbie Gascoyne, Chair, Contract Management Committee  Phone:  370-3348

Before I was old enough to know better, I completed an MA in Classics from UofT, then, when I couldn't get a proper job, did an MA and most of a PhD in English at UVic.  I specialized in 20th century novels, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd work on children's and young adult fantasy.  I still like to read those kind of books best, though I do not read ones about sparkly vampires.  I've lived in Victoria for most of my life, and been teaching at Camosun for 20 years. I like working for the union as a way to give back something to the college community.  When not reading or teaching I can be found with my dog and cat in my garden or wandering about somewhere taking photographs.

Erin Willcox, Administrative Assistant     Phone:  370-3655

I’m now starting my 8th year as your Administrative Assistant (read here “RADAR” from Mash…), and still happy to be working with some of the smartest, funniest and most dedicated people I know.  I have a daughter called Ainsley, a son called John and a bike called Francesca.  My time away from the CCFA office is spent mostly with these three people, not to mention my beau in Vancouver.  I’m one of the people you ask about PD funding, I can guide you to the right person to answer your contract questions, and there is often a dance party going on in my office.  I’m honoured to be part of the Peer Coaching program here at the college and you can usually be assured of a smile if you care to visit Y221.

E-mail: willcox@camosun.bc.ca

Local 12 of the Federation of Post Secondary Educators of BC

E-mail: ainsley@camosun.bc.ca

E-mail: Kunen@camosun.bc.ca

I entered the world in Boston during a snowstorm in 1945, on January 30th, which also happens to my birthday.  Though I don't track time well, I believe   I began my association with Camosun College shortly afterwards and with the CCFA a while before that.   Other CCFA positions I've held include president, negotiating  chair, contract management chair, and PD Committee chair. What I lack in experience I try to make up for with youthful exuberance. I'm not sure of my role as member at large, but at least I'm not in captivity.  I was also chair of Education Council for a while, but I can't remember when or why.  As a child, I wanted to be the centerfielder for the Boston Red Sox (well, really, I still do), and I find similarities between union work and baseball.  For example, when in bargaining I've helped to improve our collective agreement in a way that had seemed elusive, I felt the same surprise and satisfaction as I once did when, after running long and hard for  a soaring baseball that I had thought was out of reach, I saw the ball falling gently from the sky into my waiting outfielder's glove.  And, of course, everything the union does involves teamwork.  Well, almost everything: I take sole responsibility for  the comma in Clause 22.01 of our collective agreement.

E-mail: masonb@camosun.bc.ca

I have an MBA in Business Economics and Public Policy and a BS in Linguistics, and am currently teaching Economics and Public Administration at Camosun, in addition to owning and operating Carmenia Farm in Duncan, specializing in Shetland sheep and strawberries, which may seem an odd combination of things to specialize in, but there it is.  I have taught high school, have been a writer and the president of a small union local.  I have worked in Africa , served as a Peace Corps volunteer and I am passionate about environmental economics and sustainability. 

Al Morrison, Treasurer     phone:  370-4159

E-mail: morrisona@camosun.bc.ca

Privileged to be working in post-secondary…living the learning. Previously worked at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton. Love my new home at Camosun, in the School of Business…colleagues, staff and administrators are so supportive…super vibe!

Broke ground with the first cohort of Leadership MA students at Royal Roads in ’96…now that was a learning journey.  Hang out with my wife of over 30 years every chance I get.  In our house there is always a dog under foot and a cat on the wrong side of the door.

 

I grew up in Muenster, Saskatchewan, a small farming community about an hour away from Saskatoon.  I received a BA in Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan, before moving to Victoria to do an MA in Educational Psychology.  I am working on a thesis that pertains to how youth may find a sense of meaning in life in relation to living with a physical disfigurement.  Currently, I work at the Disability Resource Centre at the College where I have the opportunity to work with amazing students and collaborate with staff who are both colleagues and dear friends.  I spend much of my free time cycling, reading, watching my beloved Oilers, enjoying jazz and blues music…and I have been known to enjoy a good time on the dance floor on occasion.  I look forward to working on the Executive Committee and serving our CCFA community!

Brent Wassermann, Member at Large Phone:  370-3739

E-mail: wassermannb@camosun.bc.ca