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October 3, 2023

Empower is having a Members’ Halloween Party!
Date: Oct 30, 2023
Time: 6:30 – 9 pm
Location: Empower, 4 Escasoni Place
There will be karaoke, design your own ‘Day of the Dead’ skull paper mask, spooky sensory touch station, and more! Halloween treats and sweets provided.
Costumes encouraged, but please no masks or gory makeup. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd placed costume, with an additional prize awarded to the best ‘staff member’ costume.
Members much register for this event by Thursday, October 26th by completing the Registration Form – Members’ Halloween Party. If you have questions, please email Sherri or call 709-722-4031.
Not a member? Join Empower by filling out the Empower Membership Form (it’s FREE!)
September 28, 2023

*New* Empowered Learning Sessions!
An exciting new offering from our Member Services, these sessions will take place on the last Thursday of each month at 2pm and 7pm. They are being offered in hybrid model, both in person and online.
The first Empowered Learning Session is October 26th.
The topic will be Disability Disclosure and Requesting Accommodations in the Workplace.
To register for either session, please complete this form: Registration Form – Empowered Learning Session
Registration is required. Please contact Sherri or call 709-722-4031 if you have any questions.
September 7, 2023

We would like to extend a warm welcome to Amanda Lush in our InclusionNL Services.
Amanda is the new Coordinator of InclusionNL and is looking forward to working with employers to break down barriers in our work environments as well as educating business on how to increase their accessibility practices.
We are looking forward to having Amanda in this new role and working with her to continue to break down barriers throughout our communities.
September 7, 2023

Please join us in welcoming Sherri Tucker as our new Member Services Coordinator.
Sherri has been a part of our team for the past five years in a few different capacities and is looking forward to her new role at Empower.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sherri at 709.722.4031 Ext 203 or at sherri@empowernl.ca, she’s looking forward to hearing from you.
August 22, 2023

Empower’s Annual Members’ Barbecue has been rescheduled!
➡️ If you were registered for the original date, you NEED TO RE-REGISTER for the new date! ⬅️
Date: Saturday, August 26, 2023
Time: 12pm – 2pm
Location: North Bank Lodge, Nagles Place, Pippy Park
Theme: First Responders
Attendance must be confirmed in advance by emailing amanda@empowernl.ca or nina@empowernl.ca or calling 722-4031
Any questions, dietary requirements or accommodations needed, please contact amanda@empowernl.ca
*Empower would like to thank United Sail Works LTD for their partnership and support in making this event more accessible!*
August 18, 2023

Due to inclement weather being forecasted for tomorrow, our Annual General Meeting will be offered through Zoom tomorrow at 11:00.
Our Members BBQ will be rescheduled to next Saturday at 12 pm at the North Bank Lodge
The link to connect is below – if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
(There are 6 prize draws for Members who attend the AGM)
Topic: AGM – Empower, The Disability Resource Centre
Time: Aug 19, 2023 11:00 AM Newfoundland and Labrador
Join Zoom Meeting: Zoom link to join Empower’s 2023 AGM
August 15, 2023
Another year has come and gone and our Annual Barbecue and Annual General Meeting will be held this Saturday, August 19th (see article below for details).
For those unable to attend, below is a copy of our Annual Report for 2022 – 2023.
Print copies will be available at the BBQ on Saturday and by request afterwards.
(Our Financial Statement is included in the print copies of the Annual Report.)
Empower’s Annual Report 2022-2023 PDF (3.12MB)
July 21, 2023

Empower’s Annual Barbecue & Annual General Meeting
Date: Saturday, August 19, 2023
Time: 11am – 2pm
Location: North Bank Lodge, Nagles Place, Pippy Park
Theme: First Responders
We will be drawing gift cards during our AGM.
Attendance must be confirmed in advance by emailing amanda@empowernl.ca or nina@empowernl.ca or calling 722-4031.
Any questions, dietary requirements or accommodations needed, please contact amanda@empowernl.ca
*Empower would like to thank United Sail Works LTD for their partnership and support in making this event more accessible!*
July 19, 2023
The Board of Directors is currently proposing two bylaw changes to Empower’s current bylaws.
We will be hosting our AGM on Saturday August 19, 2023 at 11:00 AM at North Bank lodge in Pippy Park. Please do join us for our Annual BBQ which will start with our Annual General Meeting.
Link to Empower’s Bylaws & Articles of Association
Motion 1: To approve the name change of Empower, The Disability Resource Centre from Independent Living Resource Centre and ensure references to this name is throughout the Bylaws and Articles of Association.
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Articles of Assc Bylaws, March 23, 2015.docx
THE NEWFOUNDLAND COMPANIES ACT ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF EMPOWER, THE DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE 1. These articles and by-laws shall be interpreted with reference to the provisions of the Companies Act, and Chapter c-36, an Act to Revise and Re…
docs.google.com |
Motion 2: The addition of “or Past Chairperson” to Article 13.3 as noted this position could also extended beyond a sixth year of serving in a Board position.
Bylaw Excerpt
13.3 Exemptions to article 13.1 may be approved by the membership at an Annual General Meeting. These exemptions would normally involve a Director position requiring special knowledge or skills, such as the Director serving as Board Treasurer. (or Board Past Chairperson)
We look forward to seeing you on August 19 at 11:00 AM. North Bank Lodge, Pippy Park at which time we will vote on these amendments. |
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July 7, 2023
Call for Nominees to the Board of Directors
Background on Empower, The Disability Resource Centre
Empower, The Disability Resource Centre is an organization controlled by people with disabilities that is committed to providing support, resources, and opportunities for empowerment that will support people with disabilities to make informed choices about their lives.
Empower, is a community based not-for-profit organization that is committed to the independence of people with disabilities and supports them by providing the information they need to become self-reliant and to make informed choices that positively influence the quality of their lives. Through a consumer-controlled, cross-disability approach to programs and services, Empower maintains and upholds the utmost respect for people’s dignity and quality of life.
During the past year, Empower delivered services across the province through the following services:
- Empower Member Services/Community Engagements
- Technology and Adapted Technology Services
- Advocacy Services
- Community Inclusion Supports
- Career Services and Entrepreneur Support
- Corporate Services
Nomination Package 2023 Annual General Meeting
The Nominating Committee, established by Empower’s Board of Directors, is responsible for recruiting individuals that possess the necessary skills and experience that match the identified needs of our organization, and complement the skill sets of our existing Directors. Each year at this time, volunteers interested in serving as Board Members are recruited. For the 2023/2024 fiscal year, it is estimated that there will be approximately three vacancies on the Board of Directors to be filled.
Roles and Expectations of the Board of Directors
- Empower, The Disability Resource Centre is a consumer-controlled organization with at least 51%of its board members being people with disabilities.
- Board members are elected by the membership
- Nominations are accepted by the Nomination Committee with a goal of achieving a balance regarding background, disability, profession, gender, and age.
- Each Director is viewed as an advisor and leader, and through their commitment and dedication,share in the organization’s abilities to achieve its mission and vision for the future.
The Board’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Overall governance of the operations of Empower, The Disability Resource Centre
- The development and approval of human resource management and program policies.
- Financial and risk management oversight
What Are We Looking For In A Board Director
It is the goal of the Nominating Committee to recruit individuals interested in contributing to Empower by sharing their skills and experiences in any of the following areas:
- disability and inclusion awareness
- leadership and program management
- policy development and implementation
- communications and media relations
- financial management/accounting
Recruitment and Nomination Process
The Nominating Committee recruits volunteers to fill vacant positions on the Board of Directors and prepares a slate for presentation at the Annual General Meeting.
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday,
August 19, 2023 at North Bank Lodge in Pippy Park.
All nominees are required to complete and submit a Nomination Form by 4:00 pm Friday, July 28, 2023
Individuals nominated to the Board of Directors are required to attend the Annual General Meeting and shall be given the opportunity to speak, if they chose, to their nomination for a maximum of three minutes.
Please note that nominations will not be accepted from the floor at the Annual General Meeting.
External Link (Google Forms): Complete Empower’s Nomination Form