Skip to content

RON Talks this month: Oil in the water and bringing Connections Place to life

Royal Oak Neighbourhood Talks is free at Crumsby’s Cafe, 7 p.m. Wednesday night
9065875_web1_170419-SNE-clubhouse_1
Photo submitted Supporters of Connections Place and members of the Victoria chapter of 100 Women Who Care celebrate a $24,000 donation towards the creation a Clubhouse International mental health facility in the Capital Region.

RON Talks returns for Wednesday (Nov. 1) at Crumsby’s Cafe with two parties.

First up is An Introduction to Oil Spills and Their Behaviour on Our Shorelines, a presentation by Lee Britton. The second half of the evening will feature a backgrounder on the coming Connections Place Society clubhouse, Creating Community through Connections in Victoria, with executive director Sharon Elizabeth Burkmar and board chair Jackie Powell.

Both talks are followed by a question and answer period.

Britton has been active in environmental consulting and construction for approximately ten years. He completed his undergraduate degree in environmental sciences and physical geography and a masters of science in coastal geomorphology and hydrogeology at UVIC. His master’s research focused on predicting diluted bitumen retention on marine shorelines in B.C.

Sharon Elizabeth Burkmar, Executive Director, Connections Place Society.

Burkmar is the newly appointed executive director for Connections Place. She brings leadership experience with charitable organizations and brings a humanitarian focus to her work. During her career, Sharon has worked with the Canadian Red Cross, the Cancer and Arthritis Societies, the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children and the BC SPCA. Sharon cares deeply about offering people hope, empowerment and a sense of belonging.

Powell has attended New Clubhouse Development Training in Fort Wayne, Indiana and has also visited Fountain House in New York City. Her background includes property management and administrative skills - B.C. Transit, Camosun College and B.C. Ministry of Agriculture. Volunteer at Victoria Women’s Transition House until her son’s illness required her time.

RON Talks is free, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Crumsby’s Cafe, 4525 West Saanich Rd.