About the SSA
Who We Are | Board
of Directors | Historical Information
| Research | Charitable Donations
Acknowledgements
| Medical Advisory Committee | Provincial
Office | Chapters
Who We Are
SSA Goals | SSA
Structure | By-Laws
The Schizophrenia Society of Alberta (SSA)
is a non-profit organization, established in 1980, whose current mission
statement is to alleviate the suffering caused by schizophrenia and other
related illnesses. Our major focus is on personal and organizational
advocacy, education, self-help, and research. We are affiliated with
nine other provincial societies and the national society, the Schizophrenia
Society of Canada. (What
the SSC Stands For 
(28 kb) )
The SSA seeks to represent the views of family members and
consumers across the province of Alberta. We are a volunteer
organization with over 586 members
across the province, and have six established provincial Chapters.
SSA Goals
Our goals are:
- to alleviate the suffering caused by schizophrenia
- to provide support for families affected by schizophrenia
- to increase public awareness and understanding of schizophrenia
- to advocate for improved services for those persons suffering from
schizophrenia
- to promote research into the causes and treatment of schizophrenia
The above will be facilitated through the promotion of collaboration
with other organizations within our communities.
SSA Structure
The SSA is made up of a number of Chapters, each with
their own
administrative board, contact sites where individuals in the community
take on the responsibility of becoming a source of information in the
community on the illness and the SSA and a Provincial Board made up of
representatives from the Chapter Boards and members at large. The Board
administers the Provincial Office.
The SSA is a community voice and works with other
provincial and regional community partners in a collaborative manner with
Alberta Government Departments/Government Funded Organizations (Regional
Health Authorities and Alberta Mental Health Board) to ensure that
accessible and appropriate services are available for those diagnosed with
Schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.
The SSA is also a part of a network
of other provincial organizations who work in a collaborative manner
with the Schizophrenia Society of Canada.
SSA By-Laws
The Schizophrenia Society of Alberta is registered under
the Societies Act of the Province of Alberta, and is registered as a
charitable organization with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. The
SSA is governed by its Board which follows the SSA By-Laws.
Board of Directors
Role
and Responsibilities of the Board
Current Board of Directors | Board
Committees
The Schizophrenia Society of Alberta is governed by a
volunteer Board of Directors. The Board manages the business affairs
of the Society, and may exercise all such powers of the Society. The
Directors of the Society administer the affairs and establish the policies
of the Society, and enter into contracts which, by the SSA's charter, it
is authorized to do. Directors of the Society coordinate the
activities of the Chapters, and ensure that Chapter operation and programs
comply in all essential features with the goals and objectives approved
for the Society. Directors receive periodic reports from the
Chapters and Provincial Committees on programs and activities of the
Society. Directors review the annual budget of each Chapter. and
suggest changes, additions or deletions for the Chapters' consideration,
and approve the annual consolidated estimate of revenue and expenditures
of the Society.
The membership of the provincial Board of Directors is
drawn from nominated representatives of the various Chapters and by
members at large. The Board is comprised of not less than nine
individuals - a designated representative from each Chapter (usually the
Chapter's Board Chair or member of the Chapter's Executive) and at least
five Directors-at-Large elected by the membership at the Annual General
meeting.
The SSA's current Board of Directors is as follows:
June Finlay, Executive Committee President
Betty Jorgenson, Executive Committee Vice President
Sandor Sajnovics, Executive Committee Secretary-Treasurer
Jim Adamson, Past Executive Committee President, Board Member
Terry Wispinski, Board Member
Douglas Holmes, Board Member
Kelly Shier, Board Member
Len O'Connor, Board Member
Michael Hansen, Board Member
- Advocacy Committee - Co-Chairpersons: Jim Adamson and Dr. Suna Smith
- Finance Committee - Chairperson:Sandor Sajnovics
- Nominating Committee - Chairperson:Jim Adamson
- Bylaw Committee - Chairperson: Sandor Sajnovics
Historical Information
In March, 1980, William Jefferies, founder of the Friends
of Schizophrenics organization, met with Dr. Peter Roxbrugh, Dr. Keith
Pearce, and family representatives from Edmonton and Calgary. On July 29,
1980, Dr. Jagannath K. Wani, together with a few Calgary family members
incorporated the Alberta Friends of Schizophrenics under the Societies Act
of Alberta. On August 21st , 1990 the Alberta Friends of Schizophrenics
(AF0S) changed their name to the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta (SSA).
The SSA is a registered charity and relies heavily on government funding
and private donations.
In 1996, when the society was 15 years old, the SSA conducted an
exercise to reassess its mission. The mission statement was "Families
helping families to alleviate the suffering caused by schizophrenia".
The SSA decided to change its mission statement to better capture the
spirit of the work of the organization. It was agreed the new mission
statement would be: "To Alleviate the Suffering Caused by Schizophrenia".
In June 2001, we updated our mission statement. The new mission
statement, "To Alleviate the Suffering Caused by Schizophrenia and
Other Related Illnesses", was felt to better reflect current
thinking. The fact that persons are frequently diagnosed with
Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia Affective Disorder, and Schizophrenia at
different points in their life, reflects how closely related these
conditions can be. In addition, when the SSA carries on its
educational presentations, the presenters are frequently called upon by
the audience to offer comments and support to individuals and families of
individuals who suffer from these other related mental illnesses of
Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia Affective Disorder. Finally, the
SSA in its efforts attempts to advocate for services that are affordable,
appropriate, and accessible for all persons with mental illness.
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