2025 - 2026
KAMLOOPS PRIDE
BOARD APPLICATIONS
2026 - 2027 Kamloops Pride Board Applications
Explore the applications submitted by community members interested in serving on the next Kamloops Pride Society Board. Applications appear in the order they were received.
Current Available Positions:
President
Vice President
Admin Assistant
Director of Youth Engagement
Communications Coordinator
Director of Grants
General Director
Rainbrews Lead (non-voting)
Asset Manager (non-voting)
Also accepting applications for Treasurer.
Walter Albert Stanley Harder
Pronouns:
he/him
Position(s):
General Director
About Themselves
Age:76
Currently retired. Previously: school teacher, tax preparer, franchise director (H&R Block), Director of Training (H&R Block Canada), Director of Automation (H&R Block), District Manager (H&R Block), Product Manager - T1 (CANTAX), self-employed income tax consultant, author.
Volunteering: Kamloops Food Bank: board member, treasurer, president; Kam High Homecoming Committee: co-president; South Okanagan Immigrants Society: tax preparer; Kamloops Community and Immigrant Services: tax preparer; The Mustard Seed: tax preparer; Kamloops Pride: as needed.
Skills: Income Tax; Web programming.
Interests and Hobbies: gardening; orchid culture; bee keeping.
Contributions Made to the 2SLGBTQPIA+ Community
I did sign up as a volunteer with Kamloops Pride, but have received very few requests.
Why They Want to Join the Board
I've found it very difficult to integrate into the gay community in Kamloops. It seems almost every member of the Kamloops Pride Board is female, so males are extremely poorly represented. I believe the board needs to expand its perspective. I am cis male bi, and I don't drink. It seems that events hosted by Kamloops Pride seem to include mostly trans, lesbians, and those attracted by drag performances. First, I want to join the board to understand how the society functions and then become more involved in expanding the scope of activities so people like me do not feel left out.
Skills
Previous experience on a Board of Directors, Organizational skills, Event planning, Passion for volunteerism, Google Drive/Gmail experience, Board governance, Technology and internet literacy, Website building and updating, Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Shannon Byrnes
Pronouns:
they/them
Position(s):
Director of Youth Engagement
About Themselves
I am a 45 year old non-binary single mom to two amazing queer kids, ages 9 and 12. I am interested in either a general director position or in the Director of Youth Engagement position. My strengths are definitely in communications, creativity and community building. I would love to be a part of creating more opportunities for queer youth.
I work in the community as an anti-violence counsellor/sexual abuse counsellor/art therapist for children and youth for Kamloops Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre. I have been in this field for almost 20 years. I am also a local drag king (Gene Debender). Another interest of mine is creating more opportunities for drag and other queer art forms in the community.
I do have experience being on a board of directors. I was on the board of Chase and Area Family Services for 3 years before I moved here, one year serving as president. I am with my kids four days a week so I would require some flexibility in involving my kids in events, or possibly bringing them with me to meetings.
Thanks for considering me!
Contributions Made to the 2SLGBTQPIA+ Community
- I have volunteered with past Chase pride events
- I held 2SLGBTQPIA+ youth art therapy groups
- I work as a therapist with 2SLGBTQPIA+ youth and families: this includes one to one work as well as advocacy in community
- I have helped plan and organize drag events for new/emerging artists
Why They Want to Join the Board
I recently moved here and I would like to engage more with the community and meet new people. I think I have a lot of relevant skills and experience and as a parent have a particular lens. I would also love to see more opportunities for queer parents and families to get together.
Skills
Written communication, Verbal communication, Previous experience on a Board of Directors, Experience with the 2SLGBTQPIA+ or other marginalized communities (programming, events, projects, etc.), Organizational skills, Event planning, Passion for volunteerism, Board governance, Interpersonal skills, Youth outreach, Advocacy, Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people