Board of Directors
 
Robin Burgess.  As the mother of two children, now young adults, who didn’t fit into the regular public high school system, Robin knows, first hand, the huge benefits of and critical need for alternative academic/lifeskills programs, such as Artemis Place.  Robin’s daughter was a GAP/Options student and her grandson attended Options Daycare.  Robin is a former long-time member and mentoring parent with the Boys and Girls Club Parents Together program, a mutual support program for parents experiencing parent/teen conflict.  Enid Elliot.  I became involved with Options Daycare when Leith Leslie, a GAP/Options [old label for Artemis Options] teacher, leaned over the oranges and asked if I could help set up a daycare for the Girls' Alternative Program.  And so I did, with Heather Kay's help, over twenty years ago. Through Options Child and Family Centre I came to my respect, value and love the work and spirit of the Artemis Options community. My expertise and experience is in early childhood education.  I have set up several daycare programs, taught early childhood courses in college and university programs, and hold a doctorate in Early Childhood Education. Peggy Palmer. Peggy joined the board in the fall of 2009, having been Executive Director of the Artemis/Options Society, formerly Victoria Society for Educational Alternatives, for 14 years, retiring the spring of 2007. She knows well the challenges at-risk girls face to find their way in the world and the challenges the staff and board face to nurture and sustain a valuable service. Peggy served on the board and executive of the NEED Crisis Line for over ten years and has volunteered as a counsellor at the Esquimalt Neighbourhood House for over 5 years. Barb Peck joined the Artemis board in January 2009. She is a counsellor with the Women's Sexual Assault Centre and has been involved in anti-violence work for over 15 years. She has a background in physiological psychology and social work, and has worked in the fields of head injury, women's health, and career counselling. Barb sees her participation on the Artemis board as part of her commitment to working for social change. The forms of her social action have varied, reflecting her belief that we can work for change at many levels and that small everyday acts can have powerful ripple effects. Dominique de Repentigny was born and raised in Victoria BC, and knows first-hand the trials and challenges presented to young women in our community. She was a student at GAP/Options from 1995 to 1999 and left the school a successful and confident advocate for alternative learning. She remained in contact with her counsellors and mentors for more than 10 years, occasionally representing the program when needed. Dominique was honoured to be asked to join the Board of Directors in the summer of 2009 and is eager to contribute to this invaluable program. Dominique still lives in Victoria and works in an adult continuous learning centre at CFB Esquimalt. She is expecting her first child in March 2010.