Bethesda’s 54th Annual General Meeting was an evening filled with celebration, connection, and inspiration. On September 18, staff, board directors, self-advocates, and supporters came together for an evening that showcased the incredible spirit of our community.
The evening began with a festive AGM dinner, where vibrant décor, hand-stamped giant Jenga, and hand-crafted, woodwork centerpieces created a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Guests also explored the exceptional craft market, now in its third year. The market has grown to include contributions from individual self-advocates as well as several group Community Inclusion projects, creating a lively and colourful hub that naturally sparked conversations, introductions, and connections.
The AGM meeting portion of the evening provided an opportunity to reflect on the past year’s achievements and share plans for the future. Members heard updates on Bethesda’s many property development projects and reports from HR, Finance, and other departments. The meeting was also a moment to honour the dedication and leadership of retiring board directors, Meredith Pastoor, James Greendyk, Rachel Ludwig, and Stu Bakker, while welcoming new directors through the membership vote. Welcome Yoshi Doldersum, Kya Bezanson and David Doornbos, and Charlene Reimer for a second term
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of two Bethesda Excellence Awards. The Community Input award was presented to Jeff Shields of Visscher Lumber in recognition of the generous partnership and support he and his business has offered to Bethesda. The Staff Excellence Award was given to Brent Lanigan of Tapestry Community Inclusion for his outstanding service, dedication, and leadership in creating meaningful opportunities for the people he supports. These awards celebrated the people whose creativity, commitment, and collaboration help Bethesda thrive.
Inspiring voices took the stage as well, with self-advocates Yoshi and Kya sharing the initiatives they’ve led, as members of the Self-Advocates Advisory Committee, to build up, involve, and empower self-advocates in Bethesda.
Kya said, “We meet with regular leadership team providing advice and lived experience to guide services. This helps ensure people receiving services are decision makers of their own lives.” Yoshi added, “We work to bring forward the priorities and concerns of us [self-advocates] and families. Leadership listens, responds and uses the feedback to strengthen Bethesda’s work.”
Their motivation of “Nothing about us without us.” shines through in everything they do, and their strong passion for ensuring self-advocates’ voices are integral to decision-making was evident throughout their presentations. Their stories were a powerful reminder of why our community exists: to create belonging, encourage participation, and celebrate the unique contributions of each person.
With more than 225 attendees at the dinner, the evening was a testament to the strength, generosity, and vibrancy of the Bethesda community. It was an evening that highlighted not only accomplishments and leadership but also the joy of being together, the energy of shared creativity, and the impact of every person’s contribution.
From the conversations around the craft market to the heartfelt speeches and recognition of service, the 54th AGM was more than a meeting—it was a celebration of people, relationships, and the shared mission that drives Bethesda forward.
Looking back on the event, CEO Tori Dalair said, “What an incredible joy it was to come together at our 54th AGM—the largest dinner attendance we’ve ever had! The room was filled with laughter, connection, and a deep sense of belonging that reminds us why community matters so much. From celebrating leadership to hearing the powerful voices of self-advocates, it was a night that truly reflected the heart of Bethesda. God is so good, and I’m so grateful for the way He continues to grow and strengthen this community.”
We are grateful to everyone who contributed their time, talent, and heart to make the evening a success and look forward to another year of growth, inclusion, and thriving in community.
