Our Service Role

Planning, organizing, convening and reporting on the forums since 2014 have been the voluntary services of Ruth Simons, Executive Director of the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society (HSBRIS). This unofficial role succeeds on trust and track record. Succession and sustainability of the organization are important as we look ahead to 2022 and beyond.

Since 2014, the Forums have fulfilled their purpose and provided a networking opportunity for the members and observers of the Howe Sound region community. Read the history here.   The forums have become a model for other regions in the Province, with the Bains Sound forum and Gulf Islands Forum forming in recent years. For the past many years we have convened two Howe Sound Community Forums per year and the four Ocean Watch Action Committee meetings in service to local government.

In 2020 Islands Trust recognized our Secretariate Services through a service agreement. The annually approved budget has provided some funding to cover administrative costs that are over and above the expenses incurred by the host community specific to the event itself.  

We propose that members of the Howe Sound Community Forum enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society. The MOU acknowledges the role of the convenor, the services and the responsibilities for managing and sustaining the UNESCO designation. We understand the budgeting challenges for each local government and, we value the annual contributions to ensure the Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound Marine Reference Guide, now a project of the Marine Stewardship Initiative on the Make Way platform continues to be successful.

Please review our draft Memorandum of Understanding here and the various funding options to support succession and sustainable management for the Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound UNESCO designated Biosphere Region for generations ahead.

Ruth Simons was presented with a drum by Squamish Nation Council member and spokesperson Chris Lewis and Chief Bill Williams in 2015 at the Howe Sound Community Forum on Bowen Island.

Ruth Simons being blanketed by Squamish Nation members at the celebration for UNESCO designation in 2021.