The BC Schizophrenia Society hosted its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Education Session on Saturday, September 26th at the Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport Hotel & Resort in Richmond, BC, and virtually via Zoom.
The hybrid event brought together family members, caregivers, mental health professionals, volunteers, donors, and community partners from across British Columbia for an afternoon of learning, connection, recognition, and reflection on another impactful year of supporting families affected by serious mental illness.
Board Meetings
The morning began with two board meetings: one for the BCSS Policy Committee and one for the BCSS Foundation Board of Directors. Both provided an opportunity to align priorities, strengthen collaboration, and finalize board membership for the coming year.
Opening Remarks and AGM Business
The event opened with a welcoming statement from BCSS CEO Faydra Aldridge, who acknowledged the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish Nations. She spoke about BCSS’s commitment to truth and reconciliation and the importance of creating culturally safe and inclusive programs for families across the province.
Following the confirmation of quorum, BCSS President Jack Middleton officially called the meeting to order and guided members through the AGM business agenda, including the approval of:
- The AGM agenda
- Minutes from the 2025 AGM
- The 2025/26 audited financial statements
- The appointment of Tompkins Wozny LLP as auditor for 2026/27
- The proposed 2026/27 BCSS Board of Directors
Throughout the meeting, members participated both in person and online, highlighting the continued success of BCSS’s hybrid approach to engagement.
The 2026-2027 BC Schizophrenia Society Board of Directors:
- David Halikowski
- Dr. John Gray
- Joanne Leung
- Jack Middleton
- Paul Bhushan
- Colleen Crossley
- Brenda Sawatzky-Girling
- Jasdeep Dhaliwal
- Gerrit Van Der Leer
- Rebecca Joncas
- Peter Andreasen
- Kevin Black
- Cynthia Petrie
- Michele Way
- Brady Jepsen
Learn more about our board members here.
Reflections on a Year of Growth and Impact
During his President’s Report, Jack Middleton reflected on the resilience of families across BC and the important role BCSS continues to play in advocating for earlier intervention, improved access to care, stronger family inclusion, and better mental health services for people living with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses.
He thanked BCSS staff, volunteers, donors, partners, and supporters whose contributions make the organization’s work possible and emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong collective voice for families navigating complex mental health systems.
Faydra Aldridge followed with her CEO Report, recognizing the dedication of BCSS staff, volunteers, board members, and community partners across the province.
She highlighted several accomplishments of BCSS from the past year, including:
- Serving an average of 521 family members each month
- Supporting 1,613 new family members across British Columbia
- Hosting 274 Family Support Group sessions attended by more than 1,545 participants
- Delivering 57 partnership education presentations
- Supporting 134 participants through Strengthening Families Together programs
- Engaging 139 youth through BCSS youth programs
- Providing one-on-one support to an average of 298 family members each month
Faydra also spoke about BCSS’s continued efforts to expand educational programming, strengthen community partnerships, support Indigenous initiatives, advocate for improved mental health services, and amplify family voices throughout the province.
BCSS Champion Award Recipient: Chris Sandy
One of the highlights of the afternoon was the presentation of the 2026 BCSS Champion Award to Chris Sandy. The award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to BCSS and the families the organization serves.
Chris has supported BCSS for more than a decade through volunteer leadership, advocacy, fundraising, and philanthropy. His connection to BCSS stems from his family’s personal experience with schizophrenia and the loss of his younger brother, Dave.
Over the years, Chris has:
- Served six years on the BCSS Foundation Board of Directors
- Shared his family’s story to raise awareness and reduce stigma
- Supported BCSS as a matching donor for ten consecutive Holiday Appeals
- Encouraged countless others to support BCSS’s work across the province
In presenting the award, Faydra recognized Chris’s generosity, leadership, and commitment to ensuring families affected by serious mental illness have access to support, education, and hope.
Following the presentation, Chris accepted the award and shared reflections on his family’s journey and the importance of supporting organizations that make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Education Session: Dr. Ivan Torres
Following a short break, attendees reconvened for the Education Session featuring keynote speaker Dr. Ivan Torres, a clinical neuropsychologist and leading researcher in the area of cognition and psychosis.
Dr. Torres’s presentation focused on the cognitive symptoms associated with schizophrenia and psychosis, an often-overlooked aspect of serious mental illness that can significantly affect daily functioning, relationships, employment, education, and recovery.
Following the presentation, Dr. Torres participated in a moderated question-and-answer session with Faydra Aldridge.
Audience members both in person and online contributed thoughtful questions, creating an engaging and informative discussion for families and caregivers.
Closing Remarks & Thank You’s
BCSS would like to extend its sincere thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s AGM and Education Session.
Special thanks to:
- AbbVie, our event sponsor
- Pascale Rousseau and the AbbVie team
- Dr. Ivan Torres for sharing his expertise
- Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport Hotel & Resort
- McMedia for supporting the hybrid event experience
- BCSS staff, volunteers, board members, donors, supporters, and community partners
Most importantly, thank you to the families, caregivers, and individuals affected by serious mental illness who continue to inspire BCSS’s work every day.
As Faydra reminded attendees in her closing remarks, meaningful change happens when people come together, support one another, and continue believing that better outcomes are possible. Families are not alone on this journey, and BCSS remains committed to providing hope and the means to cope for communities across British Columbia.