Newly Formed Group of Business and Civic Leaders to Advise Nation's Largest Non-Governmental Direct Provider of Social Services TORONTO (CNW) - The Salvation Army's Territorial Headquarters in Toronto has announced the formation of a new National Advisory Board. The Board will support The Salvation Army with strategic guidance on the organization's national operations and services. The thirteen different board members represent a number of high-profile business and civic bodies, including senior executives with Scotiabank, Procter & Gamble, McCain Foods and Manulife as well as former and current deputy ministers within the Ontario government. Members will meet for their first inaugural meeting on November 12th and 13th in Toronto.

"The newly formed National Advisory Board will greatly benefit the Army's work throughout Canada," said Commissioner William W. Francis, Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army in Canada. "Through the incomparable expertise and experience of these dedicated business and community leaders, The Salvation Army's service to millions of Canadians annually will be significantly enhanced. We look forward to working with the National Advisory board in developing strategies that will sustain and expand the Army's service throughout the nation."

Members of the Advisory Board will offer recommendations to organization leaders on a number of fronts, including The Salvation Army's national strategy and development program and its periodic review of business practices and systems. The Salvation Army has outlined three primary focus areas that the Board will look to address in the coming months and years. These areas include: improvements to the organization's operational efficiency and effectiveness, continued development of benchmarks and best practice standards for service, and the development of supportive relationships between public and private partners.

"Every year more than 1.5 million Canadians are directly helped through the compassionate work of The Salvation Army," said Andrew, Lennox, Senior Vice President, Scotiabank and National Advisory Board Chairman. "The members of the Board are pleased to lend their expertise in supporting the wide range of social services provided by the Army."

<< The Salvation Army's National Advisory Board members include: - Board Chairman Andrew Lennox, Senior Vice President, Scotiabank - Stephen Bodley, Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, North America Direct Energy - Calvin H. Buss, Canadian Managing Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP - Gail Cook-Bennett, Chair of the Board, Manulife Financial Corporation - Susan Doniz, Canada CIO & Global Business Services, Procter & Gamble - Andrew Grenville, Chief Research Officer, Vision Critical/Angus Reid Strategies - Suzanne B. Herbert, recently retired Deputy Minister, Ontario - Robert McFarlane, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Telus - Ron Sapsford, Deputy Minister of Health & Long-Term Care, Ontario - Pina Sciarra, Vice President Marketing, ConAgra Foods Canada - Marnie A. Spears, President & CEO, KCI - Bruce Walter, Advisor, Sherritt International - Janice Wismer, Chief Human Resources Officer, McCain Foods Limited - Commissioner William W. Francis, Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army for Canada and Bermuda - Colonel Donald Copple, Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army for Canada and Bermuda - Lieutenant-Colonel Floyd Tidd, Ontario Central-East Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army - Major Jim Champ, Board Liaison Officer >> For more information about the National Advisory Board, please visit www.SalvationArmy.ca/AdvisoryBoard About The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non- governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and 118 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction.

When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

News releases, articles and updated information can be found at www.SalvationArmy.ca -0- 11/11/2009 R /For further information: Andrew Burditt, Territorial Public Relations Director, The Salvation Army, (416) 845-8231, andrew_burditt(at)can.salvationarmy.org, www.SalvationArmy.ca/ CO: THE SALVATION ARMY ST: Ontario IN: SU: NPT -30- CNW 10:00e 11-NOV-09