The Board is elected by a vote of CHANNAL Membership. Application is made to the board and if the individual meets the criteria the board then recommends the individual to be placed on a ballot for election. A vote is held once a year at the Annual General Meeting. If there is only one individual applying for a seat on the board then there is no need for a vote.
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must have Lived experience with mental health issues
- Must be willing to commit to 2 years of service
For more information please contact the Provincial Executive Director.
The Board of Directors meets 1 every 2 months. Each position is for a 2-year term with a year off after 6 years of service and individual may reapply.
You can download the Board Member Nomination Form as a PDF file or a Microsoft Word document.
If you are interested in applying to the Board of Directors please fill out the application form and the Board will be in contact with you regarding availability of a seat in your region.
CHANNAL – Current Board Members
Peter Ralph – President & St. John’s Region Representative
I am a mental health consumer who is married with two children. I am also a criminal lawyer and a partner in the firm Simmonds and Partners Defence. I have been a board member with CHANNAL since 2006, and have been the President since 2009. I also sit on the Provincial Advisory Council on Mental Health and Addictions. I have previously been employed with the Mental Health Office of Legal Aid where I was instrumental in setting up the Mental Health Court. I have been involved on behalf of CHANNAL, on many committees dealing with various issues in the health care community since 2006.
Herman Wilkins – Director
I have over 30 years of experience with Mental Health issues. I was invited to join CHANNAL, which I did. I was then introduced to Past-President Joan Edwards-Karmazyn and from there I became a member of the Board of Directors. The benefits that I receive from CHANNAL are therapeutic. I’ve made friends who shared the same ideas and same mental illness that I had. The other thing that I found at CHANNAL is that our organization represents us, the consumer. I would like to say it is up to us “the consumer” to make CHANNAL work. We all have to get involved to make our voice heard. Let’s keep pushing forward!
Gladys Perry – Director
I have over three decades of experience, working within Healthcare and Human Services. My first career was in Radiology in a medical research and academic environment. I’ve worked in various community agencies as a volunteer, and hold a Bachelor of Social Work from Memorial University. Since 1998, my interests have been in psychiatric services and program development for victims of violence. These interests led me to a Master’s in Social Work from Dalhousie University. The focus of my graduate work was developing a Traumatic Stress Service for Eastern Health. Since 2006, I have coordinated the Traumatic Stress Program in the Mental Health and Addictions Program, and is located at Ropewalk Lane Community Services Site. In addition to my coordinating role, I provide both individual and group therapy for trauma survivors experiencing difficult life reenactments. I’m a certified trainer within Eastern Health for the Risking Connection Curriculum of working with trauma survivors. As a consumer of mental health services, I am committed to the reduction of stigma about psychiatric illness and the promotion of resilience.
Christine Hayes – Director & Eastern Island Region Representative
My name is Christine Hayes and I have education and experience helping individuals with mental and physical disabilities, as well as mental and physical illness. Helping each and every individual with a problem brings great meaning to my life and is very rewarding. I have had to work through and overcome my own obstacles, and am happy to say that I’m healthier, medication free and feel like nothing will stop me like before.
Glenn Roil – Director
My name is Glenn Roil and I have been a CHANNAL Board Member since November 2010, but have been involved the organization since July 2008. I am also a consumer of mental health and in a relationship with a woman who is also a consumer of mental health and sits on the Board of the Schizophrenia Society of NL. I am involved with Christian ministry outreach since May 2008 through Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Cornerstone Ministry Centre’s Supper Bowl and other ministries. I am involved with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador provincial stakeholders committee reviewing the Mental Health Care and Treatment Act for the province. My interest, and passion, is advocating for individuals living with mental health issues, addictions, single parents, kids at risk, violence prevention, justice issues and poverty. I’m most excited with my involvement in the Community Sector Council of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Vibrant Communities. In St. John’s, initiatives like Citizen Voice and Vibrant Communities, with its mandate to help 1500 low income individuals and families on their journey out of poverty by 2012.
