Mike St. Amand recently took over CCSTA’s president position, conveying his trademark approachability mixed with his passion for advocacy of Catholic education.
St. Amand was elected president at CCSTA’s annual general meeting in June. He comes to the role fresh from a term as vice president of the national association. St. Amand brings a wealth of experience to the CCSTA table. In addition to being vice chairman of his local board in Prince Albert, and his years as a director on the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association, St. Amand has also held seats on the executive of the provincial association as vice president, president, and past president.
“I always try to learn from the other people around the table as we all have many gifts and talents to share,” he said. “I also try to speak with many of the trustees from across Canada and understand their concerns and issues. I would consider myself very approachable and willing to listen and help where I am able.”
St. Amand said he believes advocacy is still the most important part of his role as president. “The first thing we need to do as Catholic trustees is stand together and talk about the many good things we are accomplishing,” he said. “This, along with open lines of communications sharing ideas across the country, will only make us stronger.”
As president, St. Amand said the integral focus needs to be the sharing of good practices and advocating for Catholic School boards. “When we can, we need to speak to our local politicians and supporters of Catholic Education to make sure they know the benefits our Catholic schools bring to Canadian society.”
St. Amand’s name may be familiar as the Toonies for Tuition Trophy Challenge initiative is the brainchild of he and Bert Provost. Each year, Toonies for Tuition dollars are given to the CCSTA Endowment Fund, which distributes the monies to students and schools located in partially and non-funded provinces.
“Toonies for Tuition is an important part of who we are as Catholic trustees,” he said. “We have a responsibility to look after those who are unable to get a Catholic Education and in some small way with the money raised we are able to help those families that want a Catholic Education for their children.
“Those of us who are involved in publicly-funded Catholic Education are very fortunate and can never take that for granted.”
St. Amand will hold the position of president until June 2016. Complementing the executive, the CCSTA Board of Directors is composed of a trustee representative from each member association, plus an additional representative from OCSTA.
To see who else is involved with the executive and board, or to contact members, please click here.
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