BCLA COMMITTEES

These general descriptions provide background for the BCLA committee structure. All Committee Chairs will ensure that their group complies with the legal and financial responsibilities of a BC Society and a registered charity and with the mission and goals of the BC Lymphedema Association.

EXECUTIVE
Chair/President: Sandi McConnach

Vice President: Lyn Anglin

Treasurer: Jennifer Byrnell

Secretary: Jutta Owens

Past President: Christine Chandler

The Executive Committee is comprised of the Board members that hold current executive positions, including President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  

The Past-President is welcome to attend to Executive Committee matters at their own discretion. This committee determines governance guidelines and protocols, prepares the Annual General Meeting to fulfill requirements of Constitution & Bylaws and ensures that all functions of the association are being carried out. 

FINANCE COMMITTEE
Chair: Jennifer Byrnell
Members: Sandi McConnach, Janine Leitch, Colleen O'Farrell

This committee ensures the organization is fiscally responsible ensuring correct fiscal procedures are in place. 

FUNDRAISING (established 2022)
Chair: Sandi McConnach

Members: Willa Condy Seymour, Janine Leitch 

This committee provides the direction for all revenue-producing aspects of BCLA, which may include membership drives, donation campaigns, special events, and grant writing. They will take the lead and work in tandem with the Marketing & Communications Committee to create materials for launch of special campaigns or events. They work in cooperation with the Finance Committee to determine the budgetary needs of the organization and do what is necessary to provide the required revenue.

Fundraising terms of reference

PLANNING – EDUCATION & EVENTS (established 2021)

Chair: Sandi McConnach
Members:  Janine Leitch, Christine Chandler 

This committee provides the direction for all webinars, workshops, Lymphedema Education days, booths at events.  Each event will be responsible for funding initiatives to support the event. 

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Chair: Sandi McConnach

Members & Sub-Committees

Website updates: Janine Leitch
Facebook group & page: Willa Condy Seymour, Janine Leitch

Instagram: Jenna Lafleche

Newsletter: Willa Condy Seymour, Janine Leitch

Directory: Christine Chandler

Membership: Colleen O’Farrell

The Marketing & Communications Committee assists the organization in the creation of tools, such as newsletters, e-blasts, meeting announcements plus postings on our Facebook Group page. These are intended for education for members and stakeholders.   Directors and members may submit articles for distribution through these channels. This committee works in conjunction with the Fundraising Committee, providing the promotional materials to assist in revenue-producing effort and launch of special events. 

 

HEALTH CARE ADVISORY
Chair: tbd

Members: (see bio’s below)

Koby Blanchfield (RMT, CDT-LANE, Instructor, Dr Vodder School ), 

Janet Sprague (PT,CDT -LANA),

Carol Armstrong (RMT, CDT-LANA),  

Jenna LaFleche (RMT)

Our Healthcare Advisory Committee is a group of individuals who have offered their expertise in their field of knowledge to help BCLA.  They are welcome to join board conference calls or special events, but are not expected to, nor do they have any governing responsibilities/liability or voting privileges other than membership in the organization.

They review current practices and advice regarding new approaches to the care and management of lymphedema disorders, acting as a resource for medically related questions received through the information line or through e-mails to BCLA.

They may also provide, referrals, resources, and current health   information by sourcing out evidence-based health information for the management of lymphatic disorders.   

Temporary AD-HOC COMMITTEES

These are special committees formed for a specific task or objective, and then dissolved after completion of the task or achievement of the objective.

ADVOCACY (established 2019) 

Chair: Christine Chandler

Members: Lyn Anglin, Carol Armstrong, Michelle McHattie, Kathlene McCuaig Janet Frost ( on leave) 

This committee gathers data and prepares materials in readiness for advocating to MLA’s, Ministry of Health and other government bodies for funding for Lymphedema patients. 

Advocacy terms of reference

LYMPHEDEMA EDUCATION DAY 2024 (established 2022)

Chair: Sandi McConnach

Members: Janine Leitch, Christine Chandler, Beth Sukha Barker, Jennifer Byrnell 

This committee will be planning the Lymphedema Education Day for March 2, 2024. 

FUND DISTRIBUTION (established 2022)

Chair: Jutta Owens

Members: Sandi McConnach, Willa Condy Seymour, Beth Sukha Barker

This committee establishes criteria for the distribution of funds raised for specific projects as determined by the board. Specific projects are identified annually as part of the goal setting process at each  annual Strategic Planning Meeting. 

Terms of Reference - Fund Distribution Committee

HEALTH CARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

JANET SPRAGUE ~ MLD physiotherapist

Janet is a Registered Physiotherapist BHScPT and Certified Lymphedema Therapist (LANA). She received her lymphedema certification from Guenter Klose of the Foeldi Clinic in 1995. Janet’s caseload is predominantly providing lymphedema therapy and physiotherapy to people with both primary and secondary lymphedema. This includes manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy and exercise. She has a strong interest in patients recovering from breast cancer, melanoma and other cancers or surgeries that have impacted the lymph nodes and lymphatic system including problems such as axillary cording, radiation fibrosis and mobility issues.

Janet also has a wide range of experience treating patients with orthopaedic problems. In 2010 she completed her yoga teacher certification (RYT200) and often applies yoga concepts and poses when planning rehab and exercise programs for her patients. She strives to provide the best care possible to her patients and uses education, exercise programs and manual therapy techniques. www.janetspraguept.ca

LINDA (KOBY) BLANCHFIELD, RMT, CLT-LANA

Linda (Koby) Blanchfield is an RMT, of twenty nine years and 27 years of experience working with lymphatic pathologies including primary and secondary lymphedema. She believes that while volume reduction is important, patient education and self management are equally important.

Koby has maintained her status as a Vodder Certified MLD Therapist since 1992, regularly attending Vodder Therapist Reviews. She is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) with the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) since 2002. She has maintained her standing with LANA by attending conferences sponsored by the International Society of Lymphology, the International Lymphedema Framework, the Canadian Lymphedma Framework, the National Lymphedema Network (2016 presenter), the Australasian Lymphology Association.

Koby is also a Certified Instructor (all levels) with the Dr. Vodder School/Dr. Vodder Academy International and travels internationally to teach manual lymph drainage and combined decongestive therapy to a variety health care professionals.

CAROL ARMSTRONG, RMT, MLD/CDT, AGF

Carol is a Registered Massage Therapist in Victoria BC, who certified in Manual Lymph Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapy in 1993 (Vodder). In 2004 she pursued training in measuring medical compression garments as a way of providing Best Practice Care to patients living with Lymphedema. Educating patients on the appropriate compression class and type of fabric for the stage of lymphedema is an important aspect of self-management for patients. Having worked with many severe cases of lymphedema and seeing this impact on lifestyle and disability, Carol is passionate about early identification and screening of swelling, encouraging patients to adopt early self-management strategies to mitigate impact and to lead full and active lives. 

Carol, along with Denise Drisdelle, volunteer with InspireHealth to offer monthly information sessions on Lymphedema to patients at risk or who already have developed symptoms.

JENNA LaFLECHE

Jenna LaFleche is a graduate of the Canadian College of Massage Therapy and is registered in good standing with the CMTBC. Currently living in Victoria, BC, she began her massage therapy education in 2009 while studying abroad in Munich, Germany at the Staatliche Berufsfachschule für Massage am Klinikum Großhadern. This unique experience has given her an immersive education in the science and art of therapeutic massage. In both Canada and in Europe she has had the oppourtunity to work with many different people from all walks of life to help her better understand the healing process and to further develop her skills in the nature of pain management, manual therapy, connective tissue therapy, and therapeutic exercise.

Jenna has expanded her knowledge and skillset in completing Level 3 of the Dr. Vodder Method of Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT) and Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) in 2019. She offers custom compression garment fitting and local resources to better aid her patients who are managing Post-surgical swelling, Lymphedema, Lipedema and Venous Insufficiency.