Jim Gurnett comes to us with years of experience in community work. Whether editing the newspaper for a small community, serving as principal in a neighbourhood school, involvement with the Bissell Centre and Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, or studying the human quality of hope, he has practiced the importance of honouring each person where they are at, respecting their choices, and supporting their decisions to change. Jim has learned that when people are connected to safe and healthy community, they are stronger together than apart.  He has worked with the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as the Executive Director of the Government Caucus, been president of Canadians for a Civil Society (the host organization of the annual Daughters Day celebration), treasurer of Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, and on the planning committee for the annual Good Friday Outdoor Way of the Cross.