The High Park Initiatives mission is to protect, preserve, restore and respect the natural environment 
in High Park by creating awareness, educating and inspiring action.

Without limitation, the objects for which HPI is incorporated are:

a) To organize or participate in environmental projects designed to:
	       i. Preserve and protect flora and fauna, and
	ii. Preserve, protect and restore rivers;

        b) To educate and increase the public’s understanding of the environment 
and its importance by offering courses, seminars, conferences 
and meetings and by collecting and disseminating 
information on that topic; and

    c) To conduct research relating to the environment and to disseminate 
the results of such research.

High Park Initiatives obtained charitable status in November of 2003. It is made up of a volunteer Board of Directors, Committees and Members.
Board meetings are scheduled on the second Wednesday of every month.  To contact the board of directors or for more information please contact
HPI.secretary@highpark.org
 

Current Board

Chair and HR Director: Robin Sorys
Biography
Robin is a results oriented Human Resources Professional, who provides HR leadership through effective relationship management and strong customer service skills with 27 years as a HR Generalist, holding a Certified Human Resources Professional designation. A lifetime resident of High Park, Robin is the Chair of the High Park Community Advisory Council and was also involved in the building of the Community Built Jamie Bell Adventure Playground located in High Park
Board member since: 2004/06/23

Treasurer: Angie Begitsch
Biography
Angie is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience in industry and the public accounting field.  She has been on the Board of HPI since February 2006, serving as the Treasurer and bookkeeper.  Over the past 30 years she has volunteered for a number of charities, on boards, committees and in other capacities.  In the past year, she received the 15 year Ontario Volunteer Service Award.  As she lives in the area, she visits the park frequently and joined the HPI board so that she could contribute to the preservation of the magnificent natural environment of High Park.
Board member since:  2006/02/08

Secretary: John Cleary
Biography
John began his career as a scientist, work as a summer student in a  lab studying Spruce Budworm.  Although his career now focuses on  human genetics, he remains interested and committed to the   observation, protection and enjoyment of nature.  Having spent much of his youth in Northen Ontario and as an avid outdoor enthusiast, John has an appreciation for the unique and rare opportunity High Park  represents to the citzens of Toronto.  Before joining the HPI board, John, along with his wife Tammy, was actively involved as a volunteer for many of the HPI events, including High Park is my Park day.  John brings to the board a solid dedication to the park, it's natural environment and stewardship.  He hopes to make a positive influence by helping to bring the HPI message of environmental education to the various groups and park users that make up the broader High Park community.
Board Member since: 2009/08/01

Director: Lisa Clarkson
Biography
Lisa is the Senior Director of Business, Rights & Content Management for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and is responsible for how CBC obtains, uses and maintains the rights to its content.  Prior to working at CBC, Lisa was a partner at the law firm, McCarthy Tetrault, where she specialised in intellectual property litigation including copyright and patent disputes.  Lisa brings significant experience on not-for-profit organizations having served on the Board of Directors of Women in Film & Television (Toronto), Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI) and as President of the Schlifer Clinic's Board of Directors.  Lisa has been a lifelong lover of High Park having grown up in the west end.  She has particularly fond memories of visiting the Zoo and skating on Grenadier Pond.  She has now introduced her children, Henry and Lucy, to High Park - through trail walks, skating, the Zoo, kids' playgrounds, swimming - and, of course, the thoughtful and amazing programs at the High Park Nature Centre.
Board members since 2010/07/14

Director (interm HPCAC rep.): Jerry Hodge
Biography
Jerry worked in the Toronto School System for 30 years. He was a high school biology teacher for about half of that time and an administrator for the rest of his career. Notably he was the vice-principal at Humberside Collegiate for 6 years and the principal of West Toronto Collegiate for two. He also served as the principal for the Boyne River Natural Science school for 7 years where he worked on developing high school environmental and experiential programs and on student  leadership development. He began his involvement with the High Park Nature Centre in 2006 after retirement, serving there as a volunteer to the staff on programs. He became a member of the High Park Community Advisory Council in 2008 where he serves as the chair of Buildings, Infrastructure and Safety committee.  He currently sits on the HPI Board as the liaison between HPCAC and HPI.  Last summer he assisted in the opening of the first Welcome Centre in High Park’s history and continues to support it.  He is currently working on ways to expand the reach of environmental education about High Park to a wider audience through the Welcome Centre and Nature Centre expansion.
This position is appointed by the HPCAC.

High Park Supervisor (ex-officio board member): Helen Sousa
Biography
Helen is the current City Supervisor for High Park and as part of the HPI lease agreement with the City is a non-voting ex-officio member of the board.
Board member since: 2005/06/01

Director, Marketing and Communications: Kara Lysne-Paris
Biography
After living in rural Japan and England for seven years, Kara moved to High Park, anticipating that its natural environment, facilities and programs would be defining aspects of life in Toronto. For all members of her family, High Park has become an extension of home.

Kara has worked in private foundations, the federal government and in the private sector as a program development, marketing and human resources specialist for over ten years. She holds a BAH in Communications, an MA in Japanese Studies, and a Certified Human Resources Professional designation.

Since 2004, Kara has volunteered on two City of Toronto Museum Boards and is deeply committed to ensuring that Toronto’s cultural and natural assets continue to grow and prosper for future generations. She joined the High Park Initiatives Board in 2010 and looks forward to further immersion in the Nature Centre programs and activities.
Board member since: 2010/08/12

Vacant Director Positions (up to 3)
Responsibilities
In general, Directors are expected to regularly attend board meeting; be informed about and make positive contributions to HPI's mission, services, policies and programs; cultivate and recruit other board members and volunteers; read and understand financial statements; take responsibility and follow through on a given projects and assignments; serve on committees; review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.

Specifically, the HPI board is looking for individuals with experience in:
 

Programming
To oversee the research, planning, development, implementation and coordination of HPI's current and future programs.  The director will work closely with the staff and volunteers of the Nature Centre as well as liaison with representative from other programming groups within High Park.  Expanding the programming of the HPI and coordinating with other community groups are key goals of this position.

Fundraising
To develop, implement and coordinate a stable fundraising platform for the HPI focusing on individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies. The director will be expected to work closely and/or chair the volunteers of the fundraising committee in its goal of raising money in support of the HPI, including the nature centre and its related programming.  Stable long-term funding and increased capacity are the key goals of this position.

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking to help out the High Park Initiatives?

We are always looking for exciting and enthusiastic volunteers to assists with the various programs and initiatives of the HPI. There are several ways in which you can lend a hand.  We are currently looking for volunteer for:

Our board of directors
Individuals interested in positions on the HPI board are asked to provide CV and details of relevant career experience to: HPI.secretary@highpark.org
More information about being an HPI director and some of our specific requirements are posted above.

High Park Nature Centre
The Nature Centre is always looking for volunteers to assist with Nature Centre programs.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer Nature Interpreter, please check out the online description and requirements at
www.highparknaturecentre.com

HPI Committees
The HPI committees assist and advise the HPI board of directors by providing input, advice and assistance to the committee chair in carrying out the work of the HPI and Nature Centre.  Current HPI committee include: Fundraising,Exploratory Committee for the expansion of the Nature Centre, Program Committee and Practises and Policy.  If you are interested in joining any of these committee's or finding out more information please contact: HPI.secretary@highpark.org