CW appoints first VP Equity, Diversity, Inclusion at AGM

VANCOUVER - With another Canada West AGM in the books, the conference's Board of Directors will have some new faces in 2021-22, including the appointment of its first Vice President - Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).

The Canada West membership unanimously supported a recommendation from the CW Board of Directors to create a director's portfolio specific to equity, diversity, and inclusion. It was made official on Wednesday that UBC Managing Director of Athletics & Recreation, Kavie Toor, would be the first to lead the new portfolio which will chair the newly established EDI Committee and regularly work with the new BIPOC and Women in Sport Subcommittees.

"Thank you to the board for all of the work they did in creating this portfolio and the membership for identifying it as a priority for the conference," said Toor. "This is a significant opportunity for all of us to build on the good work that is already taking place at campuses across the conference. I'm ready to listen and to learn while leading this portfolio to get us to a place where we as a conference can make a collective impact."

Another new face on the board is University of the Fraser Valley Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation, Steve Tuckwood. After previously serving on the Marketing & Communications committee, Tuckwood was elected as the VP Marketing & Communications.

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to continue to work with the Marketing and Communications Committee, now in a leadership role," said Tuckwood. "This group has done an amazing job of promoting the Canada West brand. I hope to continue to help showcase the work of our members and tell the stories of our student-athletes and staff."

Karla Karch (Mount Royal) was also re-elected as the VP Finance and will serve another two-year term on the board. CW President Curtis Atkinson (Thompson Rivers), VP Sport Curt Warkentin (Manitoba), and VP Planning & Research Katie Spriggs (Alberta) all enter their second year of two-year terms in 2021-22. The Board will appoint a Director-At-Large, who will serve a one-year term, at a later date. ​ Part of the Director-At-Large portfolio will be to lead a newly established Student-Athlete Engagement Committee in 2021-22.

"I know both Steve and Kavie will be tremendous assets to the board and the membership as a whole," said CW president Curtis Atkinson. "Steve has spent the past few seasons on the Marketing & Communications Committee where he has helped support and advance the initiatives undertaken by that group. Kavie is eager to positively contribute to the board and help get the new VP EDI portfolio off to a strong start."

The CW Board of Directors is made up of volunteers from member institutions who serve one or two year terms providing valuable leadership to the membership. The conference elects members of the board annually at its AGM.

Following the conclusion of the AGM on Wednesday, CW released new sport formats to be used for the 2021-22 season as the conference positions itself for an eventual return to regular competition.

ADDITIONAL TOPICS DISCUSSED

In addition to the changes to sport formats and to the Board of Directors, conference members also discussed the following topics: