MULTICULTURAL COUNCIL OF SASKATCHEWAN 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTOR NOMINEES

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2014 Board Nominee Biographies

Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan

2014 Board of Director

Nominees and Biographies

As of June 05, 2014

2014 MCoS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Name of Nominee: Bruno Kossmann

Candidate For: President. Incumbent

Residence: Regina

EXPERIENCES AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

Bruno completed his High School equivalent in Cologne Germany and passed his examine as a Government Certified Economist in July 1975. Later that same month, he immigrated to Regina, Saskatchewan to join his wife Sharon and first daughter.
In April of 1976 Bruno started his urban municipal work career with the City of Regina. On July 2. 1980 he became the Town Administrator for the Town of Eston. Over the next 22 years, Bruno moved from Eston to Kyle, to Kelvington, to Kamsack and in 1998 became City Manager/Clerk for the City of Melville. On June 1. 2002, Bruno joined the Saskatchewan Municipal Board as a full time Board member. At the end of 2010, Bruno left the provincial government service and in March of 2011 became the City Manager for the most northern City, Meadow Lake. He retired as City Manager in April of 2012 and currently works part-time as financial administrator for a national grocery store.
During his career, Bruno volunteered his time for many things, including fire fighter in Kyle, Secretary/Treasurer for the Kelvington Sports Board and member of several Chamber of Commerce Boards. He was also an avid Kinsmen and held every executive position including President. Bruno became a member of the Lions Club in Kamsack since there was no Kinsmen Organization. While in Kamsack, he became the first Chair of the Venture Community Futures Development Corp. in Yorkton.
In 1988 Bruno joined the Saskatchewan German Council (SGC) where he held the positions of Treasurer, Vice President and President. While serving on the executive of the SGC, Bruno also served on the multicultural legislation review committee and served as Vice Chair of the Saskatchewan Multicultural Advisory Committee (SMAC). He was also appointed to the Saskatchewan – Ukraine Relations Committee representing the multicultural sector of Saskatchewan.
In 1995 Bruno was elected for 4 years to the Cultural Advisory Committee of SaskCulture and in 1999 to the SaskCulture Board itself as Director for 6 years. During his term with SaskCulture, Bruno served on the eligibility committee, the CAP committee, awards review committee and chaired the audit and finance committee. In 2002 Bruno moved to Regina and joined the Volksliederchor Harmonie Inc. where he served as Treasurer from 2003 till 2011. In 2004 SaskCulture created the Multicultural Community of Interest committee, which Bruno chaired until 2006. In 2007 Bruno joined the Multicultural Initiative Fund adjudication Committee and in 2011 the Student Summer Works Program Jury. Both committees are committees of SaskCulture. In 2008 Bruno was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan served as Treasurer and was elected as President in 2012.
Bruno loves to officiate at sporting events such as Basketball and Baseball. In 2008 he was elected Vice President of the Regina Baseball Umpires Association. In 2012 he was elected as Umpire Director for Zone 7. He also enjoys playing Golf and loves to play Table-Tennis.
Bruno is married to wife Sharon since 1974 and they have five children (one son and four daughters), four granddaughters Grace (10), Aynzlei (7) Hanna and Ramzei (both under 1) and two grandsons Jake (3) and Wendel (under 1).

Name of Nominee: Theophilus (Theo) Tibo

Candidate For: Vice President. Incumbent.

Residence: Regina

EXPERIENCES AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

Currently the Vice President of the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan.
Past President and current member of the Ghanaian Canadians Association of Saskatchewan (GCAS)
Past President of the African Association of Saskatchewan.
Represents MCoS on the city of Regina’s Advisory Council on Immigration.
Long-time organizer and Pavilion Manager of the African Pavilion of Mosaic.
Member of the planning committee and one of the organizers of a fund raising event in support of Haiti relief fund.
Chairman of the organizing committee of the 2005 African centennial celebrations in Regina.
Member of the 2010 SACHM Planning Committee for the celebration of the centennial of African Canadians in Saskatchewan.
Director Of Emergency Social Services for Saskatchewan and Manager of Staff Development & Training for the Income Security programs until his retirement from the provincial civil service.
Retired Member, National Council Of Emergency Social Services Directors
Retired Member, provincial Emergency Management Council.
A contributing author to the Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan.
Former Board Member of the Saskatchewan Visible Minority Employees Association until retirement.
Featured in the publication, “Who Is Who In Black Canada”

Name of Nominee: Asit Sarkar

Candidate For: Member-At-Large. Incumbent.

Residence: Saskatoon

EXPERIENCES AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

Board Member, Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan, 2012-2014 – served on Governance Committee, Awards Committee.
Honorary Ambassador, Folkfest Saskatoon, 2012.
Board Member, Canada-Ukraine Centre Inc. – 2000-present; Treasurer
Board Member and Chair, Canada-Bangladesh Institute for Higher Education and Development, 2012-present
Province of Saskatchewan, International Education Council, ex-officio as Special Adviser to the Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration, 2010-2012.
Board Member, Saskatoon Open Door Society, 2006-2010, Board Co-Chair 2008-2009.
City of Saskatoon Centennial Celebration Committee, Chair, Finance and Fundraising Subcommittee
Honorary Doctorate, Chernivtsi National University, Ukraine, 2002.
Award of Merit, Canadian Bureau for International Education, 1999.
Professor Emeritus, Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan
Director, University of Saskatchewan International and Special Adviser to the President, University of Saskatchewan, 1993-2002
Visiting Professor – Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan
Visiting Professor – Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia
Born in British India (now Bangladesh), educated in Pakistan and U. S., came to Canada in 1970, have lived in Saskatoon since that time.
Came to U.S. as an East-West Center Scholar at the University of Hawaii, U.S.

Expected Area of Contribution in the next two years

Enhance greater understanding of Saskatchewan’s indigenous heritage within the multicultural communities.
Help identify newer opportunities for intercultural connections by ethnocultural organizations in Saskatchewan
Work towards building greater respect within Saskatchewan’s communities for newer cultures represented by new immigrants to Saskatchewan
Continue to support the MCOS Board in building greater financial sustainability and greater visibility across the province.

Name of Nominee: Barbara (Barb) Dedi

Candidate For: Member-At-Large

Residence: Regina

EXPERIENCES AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

Barb has been a volunteer for over 40 years in many different organizations in the areas of Women’s, Human Rights, Labour and a strong activist in different cultures and promoting equality, dignity and justice for all.
Presently she is Chairperson of Spring Free from Racism which is a group who promotes cultural diversity through a Family Day Celebration around March 21st International Day for The Elimination of Racial Discrimination. She has organized this for fifteen years. It is a day of nonstop cultural entertainment, food from around the world and a large array of crafts and displays. The attendance has been over five thousand.
She is also President of Saskatchewan Association on Human Rights, assists new immigrants to Saskatchewan, and oversees discrimination in the workplace, community or schools.
Barb is a retired psychiatric nurse but continues to help many with stress management and Relaxation Therapy.
Home stay mother for home stay students studying English as a Second Language, University of Regina and has over one hundred and sixty students live with her.
She also is a Billet for Regina Red Sox Baseball for American players and from players from Puerto Rica.
Barb is a past board member of Multicultural Council of Sask., President of Swift Current Multicultural Council, Regina Multicultural Council,
Chairperson of Swift Current Cultural Days, Chairperson of Mosaic in Regina,
Past Executive Member, Canadian Rights and Liberties Federation,
Past Executive Member South West Ukrainian Council,
Director of the Saskatchewan Caribbean Canadian Association,
Past Executive Board Member, Saskatchewan Psychiatric Nurses Association ,
Ambassador for the City of Regina,
Marketing and Promotions Director for the Regina Red Sox for eight years, and
Founding member of Carisask.
Awarded: the Woman of the Year Equity Award, Saskatchewan Government Employees Union, 2006; the Eddy Award for Community Work, Saskatchewan Employment Equity and Diversity Association, 2006; nominated for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, 2007 and 2008 and Recipient of Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal 2008,
As of last week Barb has been chosen as one of the dignitaries to attend a study Tour of Turkey by Intercultural Dialogue Institute Regina. “These series of intercultural trips to Turkey are parts of the effort to share the cultural richness of this beautiful country with the community we serve. The trip helps discover the historical, cultural and natural beauties of Turkey, a living example of the harmony of different faiths for centuries.”

Name of Nominee: Muna De Ciman

Candidate For: Member-At-Large

Residence: Regina

EXPERIENCES AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

Muna’s involvement in multicultural activities at the local level include founding member of a multicultural drum group called ‘Skin and Bone Drumming Group’. They play for fundraising events and festivals in and around the Regina area. She help organize Multicultural weeks in Elementary and High School in and around Regina
Regionally through the Saskatchewan African Heritage Museum, She has gone around rural area including (Melfort, Swift Current, Rosetown, Fitz, Saskatoon and Weyburn) to celebrate the Black History Month through education, drumming and dancing.
In 2012, she was awarded the Betty Szuchewycz Multicultural Award in recognition of her contributions to multiculturalism in Saskatchewan.
Currently, she is on the board of Director of the Regina Multicultural Council. Her ole, mostly on the board has been chairing multicultural events and working with schools and the Regina Police Service in implementing educational initiatives during March 21 events. In 2013, she was the keynote speaker at the Clued In Include Workshop organized by the Regina Police Service on March 21 for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day.
Her experience, skills and background in promoting and embracing multiculturalism will enhance the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan’s vision and mission. Currently, she is a Youth Counsellor at the Paul DoJack Youth Centre in Regina. She lives in Regina with her family.
She hold a certificate in Nursing (Licensed Practical Nurse), Bachelor Degree in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

Name of Nominee: Renata Cosic

Candidate For: Member-At-Large

Residence: Saskatoon

EXPERIENCES AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

Renata started volunteering in high school at various organizations that assisted newcomers. Initially she volunteered at Regina Open Door Society because they were the first organization that welcomed her family upon arrival to Canada at the airport.
She also volunteered at Immigrant Women of Saskatchewan, Regina Chapter where she volunteered with her mother by assisting with various fundraising events and office duties.
She also made connections with staff at the United Way and volunteered there regularly during her last year of high school and into the first year of university. The projects she was involved in highlighted multiculturalism and diversity. Our volunteer team was also involved in the annual Anti-Racism Day put on by Street Culture Kidz.
After moving to Saskatoon, it was her privilege to work as a Youth Worker/Coordinator for a project for youth at-risk living in low-income housing provided by the Saskatoon Housing Authority. The project aimed to improve leadership skills by offering a free program where the youth could gain access to fun and educational activities that they would not otherwise be able to afford. Most of the youth were First Nations and newcomers, and they experienced racism, discrimination, stereotypes and prejudice on a regular basis. We provided them with opportunities to share their culture and practice their leadership skills during regular program times.
Presently, she works with International Women of Saskatoon (formerly Immigrant Women of Saskatchewan) as a Coordinator for the Language Assessment and Referral Centre. The organization assists newcomers, especially women, to settle and integrate into Canadian society by offering free programs and services. With this position, she has been able to network with many community-based organizations in Saskatchewan.
Currently, she is on the Allocations Committee for Strategic Initiatives/Intercultural Connections at MCoS along with Rhonda Rosenberg and Bruno Kossmann. She also helped facilitate the Anti-Racism Youth Leadership Workshop in Saskatoon in 2013.
She is also volunteering as a Director of Youth Development for Share the Wake Program in Saskatoon. The team’s purpose is to offer youth at-risk a free opportunity to try Wakeboarding during the summer at one of our one-day camps.
She also volunteer for the semi-annual Flock and Gather craft sale in Saskatoon.
She is a very creative person and like being involved in the community. She really enjoys meeting new people and networking.
She is very interested in making a difference in the community and fighting for those who cannot do it for themselves. She is interested in working more with MCoS and believes that being on the board would allow her to offer her perspective and experience within the multicultural community.

2014 MCoS Board Nominee Bios Page 5

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