About Belleville Association of the Deaf (B.A.D.)
Founded in October of 1986 by a group of deaf local residents (Bill Gregory, Larry Opperman, Scott Mark and Tim Kelly) this non-profit organization was formed to serve Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafened residents in Belleville and surrounding areas.
Board of Directors
President: Ken Roberts
I have been involved in BAD since our family moved to Trenton in 1989. Other organizations that I was a leader in were O.D.S.A. as Sports Director; O.C.S.D. as President (twice); the old Quinte Club of the Deaf (Q.C.D.) as a Social Director, President and Treasurer and newsletter editor of O.F.C.D. At present I am retired from teaching so I continue volunteering in B.A.D., O.F.C.D. and C.H.S..
I make a delicious Pecan pie; I fish for pleasure and in tournaments. My wife and I love it when the children come home for a visit. My 'tribe' is important to me.
Vice President: Vacant
Secretary: Marguerite Constable
Formerly from Charlottetown, P.E.I., I moved to Ontario three months after graduating
from Gallaudet University in 1982. I moved to Belleville in the summer of 1983 and liked
it here! I am involved with the Quinte Deaf Fellowship, and am in my 6th year as a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society. I hope to be involved in Hospice Quinte Centre as a volunteer
soon. I am also involved with the Relay For Life as a captain to help with cancer research fundraising.
I like to listen to music, read books, do puzzles, and journal wiritng.
Now I am now invovled with BAD as a secretary and this will be my journey - both
a learning and working experience with members.
Treasurer: Timothy Kelly
Hello, my name is Timothy Kelly, one of the proud founders of Belleville Association of the Deaf in October of 1986. I am still involved in numbers of events, in different positions on the board of directors, and etc.
I am currently on the board of directors as a treasurer. As always, being part of this organization is an enlightening experience!
Go B.A.D. Go! Always keep B.A.D. Alive!
A bit about me...in wintertime, I always enjoy playing curling and in the summertime, I like going on camping trips, fishing, hiking, atving, and other outdoor activities, too.
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Director at Large for Deaf Centre: Vacant
Director at Large for Senior Citizens: Vacant
Director at Large for Youth: Mellissa Reeds
After being away from Canada for six years, earning my Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Child Studies in Washington, DC and staying another year there working with children. I decided that it was time for me to come back home to Belleville. Belleville is where I spent most of my life; where I went to the oldest school in Ontario, Sir James Whitney, a school I am very proud of. I am currently working as a Student Support Counselor at Sir James Whitney.
I enjoy playing different sports especially ice and ball hockey. I enjoy being outdoors and I also enjoy finding new recipes and cooking food from scratch. Photography and drawing are also hobbies that I enjoy doing during my free time.
After what Belleville has done for me; I wanted to contribute back by joining the Belleville Association of the Deaf and became the Sport Director. I am really looking forward to working closely with the board and with the Deaf community and YOU!
Director at Large for Darts: Vacant
Director at Large for Parents: Alain Sauve
Director at Large for Christmas Ball: Laurel Roberts
MISSION STATEMENT
The Belleville Association of the Deaf, as representative of our local Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, works with local, regional and national organizations to:
Provide learning, leadership and social opportunities for Deaf individuals including children and youth.
Preserve and promote the history and merits of American Sign Language (ASL) and culture.
Educate society as a whole on the positive contributions made by the community, past and present.
Advocate for accessible services and promote the general well-being of the individuals we represent.