Meet the Staff

Joan Kotarski — Executive Director

Joan joined the FGCA as Executive Director in 1997. She has 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Joan has a Master’s Degree in Anthropology and numerous certificates in human resources and volunteer management. Prior to working with the FGCA in Victoria, she taught at a community college in Ontario, coordinated various projects in British Columbia and Ontario, was the Executive Director of a transition house for abused women and their children and a sexual assault centre in Ontario, coordinated a women’s centre in BC, along with many other interesting jobs. She has served on numerous boards and committees and currently serves on the Victoria Police Board. Joan attributes her passion for community work to her parents who instilled a strong commitment to helping others help themselves, her children who assisted in recognizing her limits, her siblings who help her laugh at herself and her three grandsons who makes it all worthwhile. Joan can be reached at 382-4604 or executivedirector@fairfieldcommunity.ca.

John Taylor — Facility/Community Coordinator

John is responsible for all private and commercial bookings of the rooms at the Fairfield Community Place and the Garry Oak Room/Corrine’s Kitchen attached to Sir James Douglas School. On the community development side, John works in partnership with a variety of groups in Fairfield to help organize events. He is also responsible for the maintenance of all facilities, and anything that doesn’t fit into anyone else’s program area. When not working here he can be found playing music at local folk clubs and Farmer’s Markets throughout the region either on his own or as a member of the Jugbandits. John can be reached at 382-4604 or facility@fairfieldcommunity.ca.

Candace Negm — Child Care Coordinator

Candace’s experience includes her most recent positions as program manager of the Fairfield Out of School Care and The Boys and Girls Club of Central Vancouver Island. Candace also has extensive experience with the preschool and youth programs at Esquimalt Parks and Recreation. Candace received a Bachelor of Arts drgree in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria in 2005, and has remained enthusiastically involved with children and youth since graduation. Candace is responsible for coordinating our three out-of-school care programs at Sir James Douglas School, École Margaret Jenkins School and Sundance Elementary, as well as our school-aged programs during winter, spring and summer breaks. Candace can be reached at 382-4604 or osc@fairfieldcommunity.ca.

Thomas King — Community Recreation and Youth Programs Coordinator

.Thomas King joined the FGCA as a leader in the Out of School Care Program in the Fall of 2007 and then took on the position of Community Recreation Coordinator in the Spring of 2008.  Thomas graduated from UVic in 2002 with a major in English and a minor in Political Science.  Previous to his work at Fairfield, Thomas worked as a Youth Programmer and Out of School Care Leader at the Victoria West Community YMCA/YWCA for four years.  Thomas can be reached at
382-4604 or recreation@fairfieldcommunity.ca with questions/concerns/ideas regarding Adult recreation programming and Youth programming.

Ro Fife — Family Programs Coordinator

Ro began her work with the FCA as Family Programs Coordinator in 2001. Ro comes to this work with a background of education and social service employment working both for families, women and with international projects and indigenous peoples. Most important to her in her family programs role is her experience as a parent and sharing both the joys and challenges of that 24-hour job. She has lived in three provinces (worked in four) and holds university degrees in both Canadian History and Education. With the FGCA she has expanded her role to include operational and administrative support and she currently works as the Operations Director in addition to her Family Program portfolio. Ro greatly values the importance of accessing services and building community networks to strengthen the world we live in. Ro can be reached at 382-4604 or family@fairfieldcommunity.ca.

Cathy Roberts — Preschool Manager

Our preschool manager is Cathy Roberts, an Early Childhood Education (ECE) graduate. Cathy works in our program as the lead teacher with the support of an assistant.

 

 

Sarah Angus — Fairfield OSC Manager

Sarah has been working with the FGCA for the past few years in various capacities. Currently she is managing the ninety spaces of Fairfield Out of School care, serving Sir James Douglas Elementary School and thoroughly enjoying it. She enjoys the outdoors, reading and learning from all the wonderful children at OSC. Sarah is also excited to announce the opening of the new Moss Rock Pre-School in January 2011. Sarah can be can be reached at 250-382-2065 or ffosc@fairfieldcommunity.ca.

 

 

Caroline Roberts — Margaret Jenkins OSC Manager

Caroline can be reached at 250-592-8800 or mjosc@fairfieldcommunity.ca.

 

 

 

 

Ashlee Daidone— Sundance OSC Manager

Ashlee can be reached at 661-0458 or sunosc@fairfieldcommunity.ca

Pippa Davis – Reception and Administration Support

Pippai is ready to answer your questions and help point you in the right directon. Once upon a time she built custom furniture & taught woodworking classes. Through work, education & luck Pippa has collected an assortment of office skills and enjoys being resourceful. When not kept busy at the FGCA, she practices resourcefulness with her family and friends. Pippa can be reached at 382-4604 place@fairfieldcommunity.ca .