PRESS RELEASE: New Board for 2022/2023

L - R: Vijay Manuel, Jory Smallenberg, Sir James Barlow, Shelly Avram, Bev Olfert, Julius Siebenga

Not pictured: Wendy Neufeld, Mike Serr

PRESS RELEASE: CHARACTER ABBOTSFORD BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2022/2023

September 22, 2022

Character Abbotsford Society is proud to announce the election of its Board of Directors for the coming year. Returning to serve on the board are Shelly Avram, Sir James Barlow, Vijay Manuel, Wendy Neufeld, Bev Olfert, and Jory Smallenberg.

New additions this year are Mike Serr and Julius Siebenga. Serr, who is also Abbotsford’s Police Chief, has been a member of the council for 4 years, and Siebenga, Executive Director of Abbotsford Christian School, is returning to the board after a brief hiatus.

Manuel, who is also the Head of MEI Schools, says that the momentum in this movement continues to build over time.

“The movement has been growing since its inception in 2011, and now we are excited to offer our 4th conference on October 21st focussed on homelessness. We have an amazing group of leaders serving and I look forward to the work we will do together in the coming year to practice and promote good character in all of our areas of influence.”

For more information visit characterabbotsford.com

Character Abbotsford Board of Directors
Vijay Manuel, Chair (Head of MEI Schools)
Shelly Avram, Vice Chair (RDM Lawyers)
Bev Olfert, Treasurer (ED of Abbotsford Youth Commission)
Jory Smallenberg, Secretary (UBC Student)
Sir James Barlow (Bell Mobility)
Wendy Neufeld (ED of Abbotsford Community Foundation)
Mike Serr (Abbotsford Police Chief)
Julius Siebenga (ED of Abbotsford Christian School)

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Left - Right: Bev Olfert (ED of AYC), Erick Peterson (Fire Chief), Carla Danielsson (Assistant Superintendent of SD34), Julius Siebenga (ED of ACS), Mike Serr (Police Chief), Wendy Neufeld (ED of ACF), Jory Smallenberg, Henry Braun, Shairose Jinnah (Director at Archway), Ross Siemens (Mayor), Vijay Manuel (HOS of MEI) The Character Council honoured Henry Braun today for his exemplary service to our community as mayor. Each council member shared some words of thanks and encouragement and presented the former mayor with gifts. The final two comments were made by Mayor Ross Siemens and Police Chief Mike Serr after which Chief Serr presented Mr. Braun with a plaque, gift, and card on behalf of Character Abbotsford. For more information on Character Abbotsford, visit characterabbotsford.com and follow @characterabby on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

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