Island Community Services (ICS) is Salt Spring Island’s largest social service non-profit, administering over 40 essential programs and serving as a cornerstone for community support. However, recent changes in ICS’s membership process and bylaws have raised concerns about fairness, transparency, and accessibility, leaving many residents questioning who gets to have a voice in this critical organization.

Despite ICS bylaws stating that membership is open to any resident over 19 who has lived in the Southern Gulf Islands for at least six months, the addition of vague, undefined criteria has made it unclear who qualifies for membership. The board of directors now has sole discretion to accept or reject applications without clearly stated guidelines, creating an arbitrary selection process that may discriminate based on personal judgment or bias. This level of exclusion is unacceptable and does not align with the principles of inclusivity and community that Salt Spring Island is known for.

Adding to these concerns, recent feedback has highlighted troubling issues in ICS’s bylaws:

 • Article IV, “Obligations of Members,” Clause 2 states that “Every member shall also be bound by the Governance policies and procedures as enacted by the board of directors.” However, ICS does not make its policy handbook accessible to the public. This lack of transparency leaves potential and current members unaware of their obligations and creates ambiguity around the criteria by which their membership could be terminated. Why is the board policy handbook not a public document? Transparency in these policies is essential to ensure members fully understand their rights and responsibilities.
 • Article III, “Termination of Memberships,” allows for termination based on vaguely defined criteria, further exacerbating concerns about fairness and accountability. Without access to the policy handbook, members are left in the dark about what could lead to the loss of their membership, which unfairly restricts their ability to engage fully in the organization.
 • We appreciate the addition in Article VI, “Board of Directors,” Clause 13, which provides a clear pathway for concerns and complaints to the board from “employees, persons served, or the general community.” Yet, this process is to follow the “Investigation and Discipline Policy,” which is also not available to the public. A transparent complaint process is essential for accountability, and withholding this policy only limits community trust.

These concerns underscore the need for ICS to implement a fair and accessible membership process that is open to all eligible residents, free from arbitrary restrictions and undisclosed obligations.

We, the undersigned, demand that ICS:

 1. Publish clear, accessible criteria for membership approval so all eligible residents know precisely what is required.
 2. Make the board’s policy handbook and complaint process public to ensure transparency in governance and accountability for all members.
 3. Remove arbitrary discretion in the membership process to create a fair, open path to participation that honors Salt Spring Island’s inclusive community values.

ICS has recently come under scrutiny for its governance practices, with concerns raised by local leaders, former board members, and residents alike. Prominent figures, including retiring MLA Adam Olsen, have highlighted ICS as one of Salt Spring’s most pressing social issues, urging community involvement to address these governance challenges. Despite this, recent bylaw changes appear to create additional barriers rather than fostering the openness and inclusion that Salt Spring Island values.

ICS must welcome and encourage community participation without arbitrary restrictions or hidden rules. The lack of transparency and potential for exclusion contradict the spirit of community and inclusivity ICS claims to represent. In 2020, a similar attempt by a society to restrict membership was struck down in B.C. Supreme Court (Farrish v. Delta Hospice Society), underscoring the importance of clear and fair membership criteria in community organizations.

Let’s stand together to demand a fair, transparent, and inclusive membership process at ICS, ensuring that all eligible residents can participate and have their voices heard. Sign this petition to support inclusivity and accountability within Island Community Services.

Sign now to make your voice count and help create a truly representative community organization!

https://gulfislandsdriftwood.com/island-community-services-in-the-spotlight/​

https://gulfislandsdriftwood.com/past-mla-and-housing-resident-prompt-ics-queries/

If you would like to find out if you are deemed « good enough » to « qualify » for a membership, here is the link where you may take the challenge: https://saltspringcommunityservices.ca/society-membership/