President Elect Nominations

Michele Vernon, MSW

Michele Vernon, MSW

Association to COCA:  Camp Staff/Volunteer

Camp Affiliation: Sunrise Association

Current Camp Position: Senior Vice President for Camping and Related Services

Candidate’s Video Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ZXu1qGL20shWHaL1kp0B6CcsOcDBXW6/view?usp=sharing

If you want to explain your answer from the video, please tell us what your reason is for wanting to be on the COCA Board of Directors:

To continue to work as a board member with various committees and the board as a whole, toward strengthening the work of our organization for the betterment of the camps, camp staff and ultimately for the kids we serve!
 

Please list any Board Member experience you have had and your responsibilities:

– Board Member at Large since 2020, completing two consecutive two year terms in 2024
-Member of the Gold Ribbon Committee since 2016
-Member of the COCACon Committee since 2017
-Member of the recent Branding Task Force
-Member of the Governance Task Force since 2022
-Coordinator of a Gold Ribbon Sub- Committee beginning in 2024 to explore modifications so the GR Standards acknowledge and are reflective of the different types of camps in COCA

Other Board experience is as an Executive in several organizations training and working regularly with Board Members to meet the mission and needs of those organizations.

 

Please list any pediatric oncology camping career successes you have had:

In 2006 I created and am the Founding Camp Director of Sunrise Day Camp -Long Island , ( a full summer day camp for children with cancer and their siblings,) which is now the Flagship camp for the Sunrise Association. It is a duplicatable day camp and year round program model which allowed us to grow and open a total of 13 similar day camps worldwide and one virtual full summer day camp program. I, along with other lead staff, train and supervise camp directors and their staff and help them build a joyful community where camper’s social, emotional and medical needs are met. I created Standards of Excellence ( Compliance Standards) for our camps, based on other national camping standards and annually implement a system of site visits for compliance at all of out locations.

I am prepared to attend the Virtual Election & Annual Meeting in December and be available for quarterly Board calls:

Yes with some exceptions

I will be available for all Board meetings and calls, with the exception of the one that is currently scheduled for February, 2025. I will be in Israel at that time for a family celebration and due to the 8 hour time difference, I will not be available to be on that call.

I will be at the Virtual Annual meeting.

 

Upload any supporting documents you would like to include with your application

Tyler Olsen

Association to COCA: Camp Staff/Volunteer

Camp Affiliation: Camp Magical Moments Cancer Camp for Kids

Current Camp Position: LIT Director and Chairman of the board

Candidate’s Video Link: https://youtu.be/aB2-Vja_xb0

 

If you want to explain your answer from the video, please tell us what your reason is for wanting to be on the COCA Board of Directors:

I have been on the COCA Board before and loved meeting and collaborating with the amazing people involved with this organization. I love everything about oncology camping, besides that children have to get cancer for our camps to be around. I look forward to helping COCA continue to grow as well as remembering the things that make this such a great organization to be apart of.
 

Please list any Board Member experience you have had and your responsibilities:

I served on the COCA board for six years as the Regional Director of Region 7. My responsibilities included joining quarterly board meetings, corresponding information to the camps in Region 7 through a monthly email, reminding camps of important dates such as early bird registration, and Care Camp Grant due dates, and call to speakers for COCA-con. I was also responsible for helping organize our yearly Region 7 Regional Conference.
I am currently the chairman/president of the Camp Magical Moments Board. My duties in this role are to make the agenda for our board meetings, run the board meetings, provide support to our camp director, and help find ways to help camp programs improve.
 

Please list any pediatric oncology camping career successes you have had:

In 2022 when I received the Spirit of COCA award. This was a huge honor and I still can’t believe I was chosen to be in this group of amazing and what I consider the best people in the world.
In 2023 I started the Camp Magical Moments LIT program. This program has been a great way for us at CMM to help bring our former campers back and help them see what it takes to make camp happen.
I helped start our CMM D.A.D.s work weekend. In 2017 the program received the Idaho Brightest Star Award for the work we did to help one of CMM’s long-time volunteers after she lost her husband in a tragic car accident.
 

I am prepared to attend the Virtual Election & Annual Meeting in December and be available for quarterly Board calls:

Yes

Member-At-Large Nominations

Erin Ulmer

Association to COCA: Camp Staff/Volunteer

Camp Affiliation: Camp Rise Above

Current Camp Position: Executive Director

Candidate’s Video Link: https://youtu.be/VS5-UAtjnO4

Please list any Board Member experience you have had and your responsibilities:

It has been a delight to serve on the COCA Board for two terms as Region 4 Director. I’m very proud to have implemented an annual regional conference and helping forge closer relationships between our camps. I currently serve as co-chair of the Finance Committee and am also a member of the Admin & Governance Committee. I am grateful to serve on the COCA Board with such incredible camp professionals, and I would love to continue serving for another term!
 

Please list any pediatric oncology camping career successes you have had:

I have served as Executive Director of Camp Rise Above in Charleston, SC for 10 years. CRA serves children and adults with a wide variety of diagnoses and life challenges, including brain tumors, sickle cell, heart and kidney disease, Down syndrome, autism, and many more. We hold week-long overnight camp for up to 95 campers in June, day camps for another 80 campers in July, and our adult campers attend in August. Since 2010, we have provided regular in-hospital camp programs in many clinics and settings, including oncology settings. I’m proud that we have built a strong reputation in the community of advocating for inclusion of the disability community.
 

I am prepared to attend the Virtual Election & Annual Meeting in December and be available for quarterly Board calls:

Yes
I will be getting off a plane the night of the December meeting but if travel goes well I should have plenty of time to be on the meeting!

Region 1 Director Nominations

Dina Dattilio

Association to COCA: Current COCA – Region 1 Director (as well as full time staff at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta in VT)

Camp Affiliation: Camp Ta-Kum-Ta

Current Camp Position: Program Manager

Candidate’s Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JakduWGRgtE

If you want to explain your answer from the video, please tell us what your reason is for wanting to be on the COCA Board of Directors:

I am passionate about COCA’s mission to strengthen, support and connect those affected by childhood cancer. My hope is to bring more connection to Region1 (with your help) over the next two years. I also bring an intentional and thoughtful approach to decision making. I also hope to continue to be a part of helping COCA grow and thrive for years to come. I very much enjoy meeting and connecting people who have similar passions.
 

Please list any Board Member experience you have had and your responsibilities:

I currently sit on the COCA Board as Region 1 Director.
I was a member of the Board of Directors at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta for 8+ years. As a member of TKT’s BOD, we grew programs, grew collaborative committees, cultivated and fostered relationships with partners and navigated leadership changes.
 

Please list any pediatric oncology camping career successes you have had:

In my time in camping – we’ve grown our programs to be year round to serve the entire family. I most recently advocated for a program for Young Adult Cancer Survivors which was recently approved to begin in 2025. We quickly pivoted our programs to on-line during the recent pandemic. I am a member of camp’s leadership teams as well as our DEIA Advisory Committee and Wellness and Health Advisory Team.
 

I am prepared to attend the Virtual Election & Annual Meeting in December and be available for quarterly Board calls:

Yes
 

Upload any supporting documents you would like to include with your application

 

Region 4 Director Nominations

Jamie Ekstrom

Association to COCA: Camp Staff/Volunteer

Camp Affiliation: Camp Sunshine

Current Camp Position: Program Director – Family Programs

Candidate’s Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OjQavc3FbU

If you want to explain your answer from the video, please tell us what your reason is for wanting to be on the COCA Board of Directors:

I am excited to offer my decade long experience in partner organization camping, improving camp processes and systems, being an accreditation visitor for both ACA and COCA Gold Ribbon, and loving all things camp! I am excited for the opportunity to serve COCA and our Region 4 members.
 

Please list any pediatric oncology camping career successes you have had:

Re-imagining family camp in the pandemic and creating the first in-person program Camp Sunshine offered in the pandemic. Building a new culture in our family camps and sibling camps focused on belonging and service.
 

I am prepared to attend the Virtual Election & Annual Meeting in December and be available for quarterly Board calls:

Yes

Jason Kirkland

Association to COCA: Camp Staff/Volunteer

Camp Affiliation: Camp Rising Sun – MS

Current Camp Position: Overnight Counselor – Marketing Coordinator – Community Outreach

Candidate’s Video Link: https://youtu.be/p_drhKHZd3U

If you want to explain you answer from the video, please tell us what your reason is for wanting to be on the COCA Board of Directors:

First and foremost, I felt that same sense of love, acceptance, and belonging that I felt at my camp the first time I attended a COCA conference in Delaware in 2022. There’s something special about being in a room filled with people who share your passion. Secondly, I share within my heart the vision to serve camps for children with cancer and their families and I wholeheartedly support COCA’s mission to strengthen, support, and connect the community of camps serving those individuals and families affected by childhood cancer. After all, I was one of those families.

I have reviewed the roles and responsibilities of the Regional Director and feel confident in my abilities to serve Region 4 in a capacity that will both benefit and honor our district and COCA.

 

Please list any Board Member experience you have had and your responsibilities:

Camp Rising Sun MS – 2021 to present
Marketing Coordinator, Community Outreach, Volunteer and Camper Recruitment, Committees: Activities, Fundraising, and Finance, Social Media and Website manager
 

Please list any pediatric oncology camping career successes you have had:

Overnight counselor for more than 27 years. Growing our camper attendance by community outreach, marketing, and a stronger social media presence. Building a name within our community and establishing a connection with St. Jude Hospital through the yearly St. Jude Expo.
 

I am prepared to attend the Virtual Annual Meeting in December and be available for quarterly Board calls:

Yes

Region 8 Director Nominations

Gillian Anderson

Association to COCA: Camp Staff/Volunteer

Camp Affiliation: Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtimes- BCY

Current Camp Position: Camp Director

Candidate’s Video Link: https://youtu.be/aB_tdVLT0iI

If you want to explain your answer from the video, please tell us what your reason is for wanting to be on the COCA Board of Directors:

For the past two years, I have been fortunate enough to serve on the COCA Board of Directors. During this time I have learned so much about the organization, its member camps, and have seen first hand the passion and care that goes into serving the Pediatric Oncology camping community at every level. Being Region 8 director, has allowed me to connect with the Canadian COCA membership from across the country and to highlight the knowledge and expertise of our incredible Canadian camping programs and professionals. Advocating for the Canadian perspective within an international organization is a unique challenge that has allowed me to grow in many dimensions during my time on the board. I feel confident that my continued involvement with the board will build upon the momentum of the last two years as I continue to strive towards more consistent connectedness within my own region and with my fellow regional directors. With the reinvigoration of committees, I look forward to the opportunity to serve in an even higher capacity during this next term.
 

Please list any Board Member experience you have had and your responsibilities:

I have sat on the COCA Board of Directors for the past 2 years, I also serve as treasurer on a small board for a local inclusive arts foundation in Victoria, British Columbia- Embrace Arts Foundation.
 

Please list any pediatric oncology camping career successes you have had:

I have been involved in the pediatric oncology community since 2021. For the first 3 years in the role of Program Director, I aided in the evolution of the program from modified social-distanced programming to the return of our comprehensive host of programs (kids camp, family camp, teen camp). During this time we were proud to serve our communities with no outbreaks while still fostering community and connection. This past summer, I stepped into the role of Camp Director, an incredible learning opportunity and an honour to continue on the inspired work and execution of our mission. This year we provided more experiences for our camper and participants than ever before!
 

I am prepared to attend the Virtual Election & Annual Meeting in December and be available for quarterly Board calls:

Yes