Profile: College Board Member Douglas Vincent

One of the youngest members of our College

Board, Doug Vincent has lived and
travelled extensively around Canada. Born
in Gladstone Manitoba into an armed forces
family, he moved around a great deal during
his childhood, and continued to move later
in his career in retail sales and
management. In 1969 Vincent started work
for the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce
and decided that his ambition was in the
field of professional organization
management. In 1974 Vincent was hired by
the Vancouver Board of Trade, where he has
since remained, and where he currently
holds the position of Director of Policy
Development. Over the years Vincent has
taken courses at the BC. Justice Institute
at community colleges in Prince George and
Thunder Bay, at the Quetico Centre for
Advanced Studies in Northwestern Ontario,
at Western University, and at Capilano
College.

Vincent's other interests include working
with various Chambers of Commerce, nine
years as a volunteer member of the West

Vancouver Reserve Police, four years on the
Board of Managers for the St. Andrew's-
St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, and
involvement with the Jaycees and Rotary
Club. He was involved for two years as a
Director of the non-partisan North Van.
Taxpayers Association for Good Government,
and ran as a candidate for North Vancouver
School Board Trustee in two consecutive
elections on the "quality education at a
price we can afford" platform. He lives in
North Van with his wife and two daughters,
who attend Holy Trinity School. A third
daughter is taking business courses at
Camosun College.

Since February 1984 Vincent has been a
member of the Capilano College Board, and
has served on four task forces: Calendar,
Negotiating/Personnel, Educational Plan
Update, and BCAC annual meeting
resolutions. He is very positive about the
board and its members.

"Having been involved in a number of local
school board meetings, many of whose
effectiveness was questionable in terms of
resolving educational issues—members
preferring to be seen as the "unofficial
opposition" to the duly elected provincial
government—it was a refreshing change to
come to the Capilano College Board, where
the interests of the college come first."

Vincent feels that his job "is to help
influence government decision-making on
issues that impact onthe college's ability
to provide the best possible educational
experience at a cost which both students
and taxpayers can afford." He adds: "That
task isn't accomplished by the board on
its own. A high level of awareness,
understanding and commitment is required.
That is why I have a great and growing
respect for the staff, faculty, as well as
for members of the board and the senior
administrators who report to them."

Vincent concludes: "My appointment to the
board was made ‘at the pleasure of the
Minister of Education'. I hope the new

Minister is also pleased. I like the work."