We are so pleased to welcome Dr. Linda Franchi as the new President of the End of Life Doula Association of Canada. Frankie is one of the founding members of the EOLDAC and knows a thing or two about providing support and care at end of life. Frankie shares her welcome message below:
Volunteering has been a life long commitment for me but I have to tell you all this particular volunteer gig really kisses my heart.
I have been an active doula for more than two decades. In fact I have been doing doula work long before they had a name for it.
Imagine my delight when I came across the Douglas College Program that actually had a name and a faculty devoted to the process. I immediately took the training and was part of birthing the End of Life Doula Association of Canada. It is a bit of a full circle moment now, 5 years later, in the role of President of the Association.
In case you are curious, my background includes a PhD from Simon Fraser in End of Life Care and communication issues in facing your own death or death of loved ones.
I am committed to diversity and inclusivity in all that we do. I currently work as a doula part time and I am the community counsellor for the Parkinson Wellness Project in Victoria. I have worked for over 3 decades in community development, administration and counselling.
As someone who has a lifetime of experience as a counsellor, I hope to create ways to ensure that Doulas themselves have access to support and the tools to enable them to do this important work.
In closing, my goals for my tenure are:
- to increase and support our members and our mission,
- to increase diversity within our organization so we can serve diverse communities
- to work collaboratively and inclusively to develop provincial affiliate chapters that will enhance and strengthen our ability to support and carry out local, provincial and national Doula priorities.
We need your support and hope to count on that support to fulfill these goals.