Board Member Spotlight: Chris Dumas
1. How long have you been on the KKCS Board?
Since 2017
2. What drew you to join the KKCS Board?
Brendan Smith and the financial status of KKCS at that time.
3. What’s the best thing about KKCS in your view?
I love the fact that we are from the community and service the community through all stages of life. I also have a special affection for our supported workers (who are awesome).
Culturally I love that we are all pulling the boat in the one direction and everyone is trying their hardest behind a strong, thoughtful and community-minded CEO – DASH. We come from a salt-of-the-earth community, and we deliver practical, uplifting programs to enable clients to be the best that they can be.
4. What part of KKCS’s work are you most passionate about?
Boring answer but all of the programs. I know that the board and senior management have worked hard to make sure we only work in areas that we all genuinely care about.
We don’t do many lines of work that comparable organisations do, and knowing what not to do is often as important as knowing what to do.
I do have a special passion for special needs and love the work of Elana and Will’s teams with children and youth. Ultimately, our senior care is our largest and, given my age, the most important sector of what we do.
5. Looking ahead, what’s your hope or vision for KKCS’s future?
To be recognised as the place to get the support that is needed by the people of Kurri and surrounding districts.
I would love us to remain a community-based organisation that doesn’t conquer the world (become huge) but rather knows the name of each client and materially improves their life.
6. What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
Cartooning – I paint and draw cartoons constantly.
7. When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?
Assisting families with severely disabled children – talking them through how to get their beloved family members the best deal possible and providing certainty where all they can see is worry.
Plus painting, drawing and playing touch football badly…
8. If you had to describe KKCS in three words, what would they be?
Focussed, personal and intelligent.
9. Who or what inspires you in your work with KKCS?
The lawn mowing guys who go about their job quietly, with a smile on their face, fixing the world one blade of grass at a time.
I like that our impact is personal and individual – fix the world one person at a time.
10. Favourite KKCS moment or memory so far?
The re-opening of the Ambulance Hall, watching the Down Syndrome lady (an employee of KKCS - Carly) dance like she owned the place. I can see her in my mind’s eye and her smile will stay with me forever.
11. Professional background outside KKCS:
Accountant. Partner at Bentleys Newcastle.
12. What skills or experience do you bring to the Board?
Humour??? Financial and corporate structural mainly. I also like to ask questions and not accept things at face value.
13. What does “community” mean to you?
Community is everyone, from any background, willing to do whatever it takes to assist each other on a personal level.
Keep going until all is well – then do it again.