Michael Ribicic is a Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (SD68) teacher. He holds a B.A. with majors in Political Studies and History (2019) from Vancouver Island University, along with a B.Ed (2021). Michael was born and raised in Nanaimo and is passionate about volunteering and giving back to his community. He has contributed to various boards and organizations in the area, including the City of Nanaimo, the Nanaimo Art Gallery, Rotary, and Vancouver Island University.
Boards/Committees:
2021-Present, The Nanaimo Art Gallery, Director.
2019-Present, Brechin Hill Neighbourhood Association, Director/Acting Chair/Chair of the neighbourhood’s Partners in Parks Project.
2017-Present, The Rotary Club of Lantzville, Administrative Director, Vice-President.
2017-Present, VIU’s Alumni Association Board, Vice President.
2017-Present, VIU Senate, Student Rep/Alumni Rep.
Past Service:
2018-2020, VIU’s Selection Committee: Provost Awards for Outstanding Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity, inaugural member/student rep.
2017-2019, VIU’s Program Review Oversight Committee.
2017-2019, VIU’s Planning and Priorities Committee, Senator/Student Rep.
2017-2018, VIU’s Student Travel and Research Committee, Student Rep.
2017-2018, Vancouver Island University’s Students’ Union, Director.
2016-2017, City of Nanaimo’s Canada 150 Committee, Youth Representative.
2015-2018, City of Nanaimo Youth Advisory Council, Chair.
Random snips:
In 2022, in partnership with the city of Nanaimo, Ecole Oceane Elementary, and Community policing, Michael helped lead a community paint party/neighbourhod clean up in response to the Brechin Hill Safety Audit.
In 2021, following protests outside the Nanaimo General Hospital, Michael contacted the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation and after making a proposal to his Rotary Club, the members agreed to donate money towards coffee and treats as part of a Staff Appreciation Day.
In 2021, Michael became a member of Rotary’s Polio Plus Society by committing to donate at least $100.00 USD a year to the foundation until polio is eradicated.
In 2020, Michael contacted and worked with MP Paul Manly’s team to start a non-partisan constituency Youth Advisory Council that went into effect early 2021 and was successful until being discontinued after Mr. Manly’s election defeat.
In 2020, he became a Climate Reality Leader (Al Gore’s initiative).
In 2020, he hosted and organized a Rotary event for the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin to speak and spread awareness about his Indigenous eduction focused non-profit, The Martin Family Initiative (MFI).
In 2019, he secured $10,000 for VIU’s bursaries from a donor.
In 2018, Michael worked on two campaigns at VIU’s call centre to raise money for scholarships and to connect alumni.
In 2018 he lead the Nanaimo Youth Advisory Council to participate on a panel at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). The goal was to encourage other BC municipalities to start their own youth councils and answer questions on how to engage youth more.
In 2018, as the Chair of the Nanaimo Youth Advisory Council, he held round table discussions with youth leaders and stakeholders and successfully lobbied the Regional District of Nanaimo to allocate 5,000 additional hours they received from the province to go towards bus routes most used by the youth in the community.
In 2017, Michael and a small group of Student Union Directors had the Students’ Union Pub switch to biodegradable straws.
In 2016 co-lead the Nanaimo Youth Advisory Council to speak Island municipalities about youth engagement at AVICC.
In 2015, started volunteering once a month at the Nanaimo 7-10 Club through the Nanaimo Youth Advisory Council and the Rotary Club of Lantzville until 2019.
Michael Ribicic 