The Rights Committee acts as an advisor to the CEO in matters concerning rights promotion and protection.

What a difference 10 years has made! People supported by the agency and support staff have a better understanding of rights promotion & protection, and seek advice, guidance and recommendations from the Committee regularly. There is a sense of pride knowing Community Living Peterborough has one of the most recognized and respected Committee's in the province.

Six originating members remain on the Committee today.

Committee members include:

Chairperson - Yvonne Roy – Behaviour consultant

Doug Shier – Pharmacist

Gary Takacs- Retired Police Sergeant & Board Member of Community Living Peterborough

Joyce Fee – Retired Educator – Special Education

Terry Booth – Parent & Board Member of CLP

Lynda Nairn- Person Supported by Community Living Peterborough (Self Advocate)

Shelagh Gillespie- Educator

Edna O'Toole – Community Living Peterborough staff resource

Cindy Hobbins – Community Living Peterborough staff resource

THANK YOU FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, PEOPLE SUPPORTED AND STAFF OF COMMUNITY LIVING FOR 10 YEARS OF DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT!

Watch for more Members to be featured in the coming days...

Joyce Fee, a retired teacher and founding Rights Committee member, grew up on a farm not far from Peterborough in Fenelon Falls. Joyce moved to Peterborough to attend teachers college then married and started a family. Joyce continued her education at Trent University where she achieved her Bachelor of Arts, and capped that off with a Masters Degree from the University of Toronto.

After her impressive education Joyce became the principle of Trafalgar School, a parent led school for kids living with an intellectual disability. It was the excellent relationship formed between Trafalgar and Community Living Peterborough, as well as Joyce's own personal experiences with the agency that made it a natural choice for her to join the Rights Committee. Joyce also volunteers her time at her church, Community Care and Service Club International. Joyce feels that she brings her strong community involvement with her to the Rights Committee as well as her awareness that different people have different needs and that she genuinely cares about peoples needs. Joyce's favourite part about the Rights Committee is the friends she has made along the way, saying "It's a good committee and I've loved seeing the growth of it, and Community Living Peterborough for the past forty years." - Jess English, Placement Student, Fleming College Social Services Worker

Terry Booth was born and raised in Toronto where he was part of the Police force for 27 years. Terry and his wife have three children in their thirties. Terry's oldest son Jeremy has an intellectual disability and as of 2010 is living independently! Terry describes the relationship between his son Jeremy and himself as, "having won the lottery" 35 years ago. He is the best part of my life!"

When Terry is not discovering the secret to life he spends his time collecting coins, watches, playing or watching golf, and driving his dream 1992 Mercedes convertible. Terry joined the Rights Committee three years ago after hearing about it from a friend and Community Living Peterborough's Board President, Craig Adams, and was immediately interested. "I like being a problem solver and I want to do absolutely everything I can to help [the people Community Living Peterborough supports]." Terry brings a strong passion to the Rights Committee and a huge history of experiences to share. - Jess English, Placement Student, Fleming College Social Services Worker

Cindy Hobbins joined the management team at Community Living Peterborough in 2004 and with her she brought a wealth of expertise! Cindy had been on the Rights Commission at her previous employment with Community Living Campbellford-Brighton. Cindy joined the CLP Rights Committee with a goal of helping people supported by the agency and staff to have a better understanding of rights promotion and protection. Eight years later, Cindy says that the mandate of the Rights Committee, agency policies and education have resulted in a culture shift to one of strong advocacy for the rights of people supported.

Cindy speaks passionately about the Rights Committee members saying they have fun while also bringing a great degree of expertise and commitment to people.Commitment is also the reason why Cindy has stayed part of the Committee so long. She feels that as the Manager of Quality Assurance she hears first hand that people are living the lives they deserve, enjoying the same rights as all citizens.When asked what Cindy brings to the table she feels the other members would say humor but also an objective and unbiased point of view. Overall Cindy feels that all people deserve equal rights and the agency Committee is the system we have to make sure this is honored.

Ten years ago Edna O'Toole, Manager of Community Access was assigned the task of creating a Rights Committee for Community Living Peterborough. The intent in creating the committee was to provide a review process for people we support who had restrictions placed upon them as a result of that support.

Edna recruited a number of people across the community who had certain expertise, skills or experience relevant to exercising rights and the committee began.

Ten years later six of the original members remain on the committee. Edna continues as a staff resource to the committee and explains her commitment to this group is because this group "works". The group truly recognizes that people with disabilities have rights and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and they hold staff to this standard. They bring a diverse and common sense approach to the task of reviewing restrictions and encouraging staff to be creative in their approach to people before imposing restrictions. The dynamics of the committee ensures that each member's unique contribution is tabled and considered in their response back to people. Edna feels this committee has made a significant contribution to ensuring that people in service receive quality supports and their rights are safeguarded.