Are you a Salt Spring Island resident concerned about the future of our community services? Now is the time to engage! Island Community Services (ICS), Salt Spring’s largest social services non-profit, oversees over 40 essential programs supporting our community. However, recent changes to ICS’s membership process have raised concerns about fairness, accessibility, and transparency. Former MLA Adam Olsen recently emphasized that addressing ICS’s governance should be a top priority for Salt Springers, urging all residents to get involved.

Why Become a Member?
Becoming a member is your way to have a voice in ICS’s future, especially at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). Membership is open to any Southern Gulf Islands resident over 19 who has lived here for at least six months. Yet, new ICS bylaws have introduced a board approval step, leaving many to wonder who qualifies for membership and why. This process has led to frustration among those who wish to participate, as eligibility criteria remain vague and open to interpretation.

I am not currently affiliated with ICS but am close to both clients and employees who have reached out, expressing concerns about the organization’s direction and transparency. It is my greatest wish to ensure that every resident has a fair opportunity to participate and help ICS uphold its mission.

What You Can Do:

Register as a Member: Download the membership form from ICS’s website, and bring it to the ICS office at 268 Fulford-Ganges Road. (or submit online option also available now) Applications must be submitted soon, as only members registered 30 days before the AGM can vote.

https://saltspringcommunityservices.ca/society-membership/

Together, we can foster a more inclusive, transparent, and responsive ICS. Don’t miss this chance to be a part of something meaningful. Register today, and let’s work to create a truly representative community organization that honours Salt Spring’s values.

PS. I am undertaking this effort solely as a concerned citizen and resident of Salt Spring Island, with no official affiliation to Island Community Services. My only motivation is to support clients, current employees, and community members who wish for greater transparency, inclusivity, and accountability within this essential organization. Thank you for joining me in this cause for a stronger, more connected community.