#elndp

[timellis]

Forward With The Etobicoke-Lakeshore NDP

Today’s AGM for the Etobicoke-Lakeshore NDP was an enjoyable and successful event. We heard from ONDP Deputy Leader Jagmeet Singh on a number of topics - of particular interest to me was his support for a basic income guarantee, one of my passion projects. He was asked about the leadership race, and he let us know that he “can neither confirm nor deny any rumours”. ;) We also elected a new executive committee. I am proud that the members of the NDP in Etobicoke-Lakeshore have placed their trust in me as President for another year. I am eager to get back to work, and to apply the many lessons I learned over the past year to organizing for real progress in Etobicoke in 2017 and beyond.

[timellis]

Moving Forward Together

Thank you everyone for your support of my run for President of the riding in Etobicoke-Lakeshore! I’m looking forward to a year of bold plans and strong movement building in 2016.

[timellis]

Endorsement: Sheila Regehr, Chair of BICN and former Executive Director of the National Council of Welfare

I’ve worked with Sheila for almost two years now with the Basic Income Canada Network. Her insights based on her time working on poverty reduction and interfacing with government agencies have been incredibly valuable and have taught me a great deal. I’m very proud to have her endorsement in my campaign for President of the Etobicoke-Lakeshore riding association.

“In my work with Tim, I have found him to be tireless in his dedication to progressive principles, highly organized in both his thinking and his actions and an articulate communicator who can connect with people from all walks of life.  His integrity combined with his ability to collaborate and, especially, to motivate make him the kind of leader you want as President of this riding association.” 

[timellis]

Endorsement: Karen Ridley, Official Agent of the Phil Trotter Campaign and EPC Chair

Karen is an active member of the Etobicoke-Lakeshore NDP and has been for quite some time. Her wisdom and experience have been invaluable assets to us and I always appreciate her advice and input in our work together both on the campaign and in the riding association. I am proud to have her endorsement for my campaign, which I’ve attached below

"Tim is a committed and capable leader in the Etobicoke-Lakeshore community. In our work together, he has consistently delivered not only hard work, but also creativity and skill. He is an excellent communicator and has a genuine compassion and patience that serves him well as a volunteer organizer and facilitator."

[timellis]

Endorsement: Bryan Hamberg, Campaign Manager

Together, Bryan, Ian Borsuk and I comprised the staff that managed the most recent election campaign in Etobicoke-Lakeshore. Bryan and I collaborated very well and quickly settled into a smooth and effective working relationship with each other, with Ian, and with the candidate and volunteers. 

I am proud to have his endorsement for the role of President of the riding association in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, which I’ve attached below with his permission. And I second his call for a collaborative and active team - I look forward to being a part of, and contributing to, just such a team if I am elected to the position.

Dear Etobicoke-Lakeshore NDP Membership:

I am writing this letter today to express my support for and endorsement of Tim Ellis’ candidacy for President of the Riding Association.

I had the pleasure of working with Tim Ellis during the recent Federal Election.  Tim was the Voter Contact Organizer and I was the Campaign Manager.

Tim has outstanding people skills, is patient and dedicated.  This was demonstrated daily during the campaign.  Through his efforts as the VCO, Tim built the volunteer base and encouraged new volunteers to give more time and ‘move up’ the volunteer chain from simple literature drops, to phoning to canvassing.

These qualities will serve him and the Riding Association as President.

Tim’s previous experience on the Etobicoke Lakeshore Executive, as Secretary was fulfilled diligently and thoroughly.  I witnessed the skills associated with that position during many meeting in the pre-Election and Election period on the Election Planning Committee.

A Riding Association is more than a President, and speaking from experience as a past President, it is a collection of dedicated people seeking to make the organization stronger with the ultimate goal of electing NDP representatives.  Tim will need an experienced, active and collaborative team to make his tenure successful.

And with that being said, Tim’s disposition is such that he can work with anyone.  Tim is a friendly and likeable fellow who can bring new and existing people into the Association.

I wish him luck in seeking to be President.

Sincerely,

Bryan Hamberg

[timellis]

Endorsement: Karen Lawrence, NDP Activist

Karen Lawrence is an active NDP volunteer in Etobicoke-Lakeshore. We’ve had the good fortune to work together on several campaigns, particularly the most recent one. It has always been a pleasure to be able to rely on her capable work and genuine compassion.  She has taken the time to write a letter endorsing me in my pursuit of the President role in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, which I’m including below and which will be available at the AGM on Thursday. It is an honour to have Karen’s endorsement, and should I win, I am determined to work hard to earn her continued support over the duration of my term as President. 

”To the good folk of Etobicoke-Lakeshore NDP,

The time of licking our wounds and spending time on “shoulda, woulda, coulda” is over.  The time for choosing an executive that is ready to forge ahead, based on hard-won experience, is here. Tim Ellis is ready and capable to lead the charge into the future as President of the Etobicoke-Lakeshore NDP.

I first met Tim when we worked on Olivia Chow’s campaign for Mayor. I was helping out from time to time, but Tim was taking a lead in South Etobicoke. From my perspective at the fringes, he seemed to be the guy that could be depended on to show up for all kinds of canvasses and to do tasks above and beyond the call of duty.

He was memorable in his self-effacing humility. With a critical federal election on the line, I again volunteered. When Phil Trotter made his extraordinary effort to represent the Riding in Ottawa as an NDP MP, I got to know Tim a little better. Tim, I would say, is a political animal – and I mean that in the best way. He is knowledgeable, open-minded, astute and ready to take a stand. What I observed when I sometime worked in Phil’s campaign office, is Tim’s stellar interpersonal skills. He really knows how to show appreciation for people’s efforts and give kind words, even when people make mistakes. He has a certain determined patience and natural kindness that, I believe, would stand him in good stead as  President of the Etobicoke-Lakeshore NDP.

Tim’s demonstrated commitment to the riding,  love of politics, ability to work with people and intelligent application of experience to improve methodology, are qualities that make Tim Ellis an excellent choice for President of the Etobicoke-Lakeshore NDP.

Sincerely, with love, hope and optimism,

Karen Lawrence