Why is Chris Running?

PictureChris Gorman

Dear neighbour,

As someone deeply committed to public service, I want to contribute and make a meaningful difference to my community.  Engaging with the citizens of Kelowna over the past three years has greatly enriched my life and I would like to continue to serve my community to strengthen public education.

As a parent, with a child enrolled in the public education system, I appreciate the relationships that sustain an effective school system.  The critical relationships that exist between parents, teachers, staff, Trustees, and the community need to be fostered and respectful dialogue encouraged. 

I am seeking your support to continue to serve our community for another term as your School Trustee on the Central Okanagan Board of Education.

My unique professional background in education management, business, politics, and not-for-profit organizations offers an informed and balanced perspective to address the important opportunities and challenges that face public education in British Columbia.

Quality education is the foundation of a resilient and prosperous society.  The next generation will assume their place as leaders and responsible, productive citizens based on the excellent K-12 education they receive today.  Our children and grandchildren will be enabled or constrained in their efforts to shape their future by the decisions we make today.  

Over the next four years, I would like to contribute my leadership and engagement as the Board of Education addresses important issues that will shape the future for our children and community.  These issues include: 

Student Success
  • Identifying approaches to sustained improvements to graduation, literacy and numeracy rates
  • Implementing learning opportunities envisioned in 21st Century Learning Initiatives that reflect students' needs, interests, and ambitions
  • Improving early learning programs to provide a strong foundation for lifelong learning for our children
  • Working to support First Nations student success and their efforts to contribute to our collective learning

Inspiring Places to Learn
  • Implementing the facilities plan to meet the needs of students today and in the future
  • Addressing the facilities challenge in the Upper Mission and the much needed replacement of Rutland Middle School and École Glenmore Elementary

Responsible Stewardship
  • Advocating for sustained and predictable provincial government funding
  • Implementing and evaluating the strategic plan that articulates the operational and management priorities for the School District
  • Encouraging broad and diverse community engagement in the deliberations of the Board of Education

These are not small issues nor small responsibilities.

If Trustees make good decisions today, current and future students will be able to explore, discover, and expand their minds and experiences.  This will open windows of opportunity for their future – whether it is entering the workforce, pursuing higher education at a university, college or trade school, or embarking on world adventures. 

I would like your support to continue to address these issues as your School Trustee on November 15th. 

Please explore my website to learn more about my candidacy.  If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me by email at chris@votegorman.ca or by phone at 250.575.2731.

Sincerely yours,
Chris Gorman
Candidate for School Trustee
Central Okanagan Board of Education

Short Resume

Board of Education
  • Former Vice-Chair
  • Chair, Human Resources and Staff Services Committee
  • Member, Finance and Legal Committee
  • Member, Safe Schools Committee
  • Member, Provincial BCTF/BCSTA Group Life Insurance Committee
  • Former Chair, Finance and Legal Committee
  • Former Member, Planning and Facilities Committee
  • Former BCPSEA Representative

Professional Experience
  • Regional Organizer, BC Liberal Party
  • Director, UBC Faculty of Management
  • Columnist, The Daily Courier
  • Executive Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
  • Various roles in insurance and international shipping industries

Education
  • Master of Business Administration (UBC)
  • Bachelor of Arts (UBC)
  • Diploma of Technology (Bus. Admin.) (BCIT)
  • Studied law (University of Ottawa)
  • Studied French (Université du Québec à Chicoutimi)

Professional Designations
  • Fellow, Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP), Insurance Institute of Canada
  • Canadian Risk Management (CRM), Global Risk Management Institute

Volunteer Experience
  • Herald, Okanagan Commandery, Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hopitaller
  • Senator, UBC
  • Treasurer of my children's daycare
  • Director, UBC Alumni Association

Associations
  • Knight of Honour, Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller
  • Past Member, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
  • Past Member, Greater Westside Board of Trade
  • Member, Sir John A. Macdonald Memorial Society