Community Leadership Development Program Participants and Facilitators—Retreat 2015
Annual Report 2015 –16
What is Community Leadership, and why is it important? That’s the question which has been on our minds at Leadership Victoria over the past year, as we’ve experienced our 15th cohort of the Community Leadership Development Program. There are many challenges and issues that call out for leadership and partnership among business, government, and the community sector. If Leadership Victoria exists to develop, support, and celebrate leaders who are passionately engaged in building a vibrant community, what does that really mean? It has been very exciting to work with the brilliant, dedicated community of people who make up the Leadership Victoria family to answer this question over the past year. The creation of the Community Leadership Competencies Framework, as a collaboration among board and program committee members, established how community leadership is a unique discipline in the broader field of leadership development. I believe that Leadership Victoria has emerged from the 2015/16 fiscal year with a very clear picture of how we offer value to the Greater Victoria community. The board’s Forecasting Our Future planning process positioned us to take a leading role in Greater Victoria in developing leadership capacity among emerging leaders and grassroots community champions. We are committed to investing in the excellence of our Community Leadership Development Program, telling the story of community leadership and our impact in Greater Victoria, using innovative approaches to facilitate community development through increasing leadership capacity, and building a stronger organization. This annual report shows our year’s journey in pictures. I hope you’ll look at this and feel proud of your part in supporting the programs and events that Leadership Victoria brings to the community. There are many more exciting things to come, and I invite you to be part of it.
Susan Low, Executive Director
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My second year as president of Leadership Victoria Society was just as busy as my first. That is the way it felt anyway. I continue to be very grateful to our staff, volunteers, and friends who have made the past year such a pleasure. Together we do amazing and important work. I’m thrilled to be a part of it. I am of course especially grateful to the volunteers who make up our core program committee. Once again they planned and delivered a fabulous program. We now have over 320 alumni in our community, each doing their bit to make Greater Victoria the best that it can be. For some time, it has been a goal of ours to receive credit recognition for our core program from one of our local post-secondary intuitions. I am thrilled that we now have a Memorandum of Understanding with Camosun College. This will mean that our Community Leadership Development Program graduates from 2015 and on will have their hard work and learning formally recognized towards completion of the Certificate in Leadership Development at Camosun. An important annual event in our calendar is the Victoria Leadership Awards. My congratulations go to all those leaders who were honoured this year; their contribution to our community is an inspiration for us all. My heartfelt thanks go to all those involved in organizing the awards selection and ceremony. Each year we see new faces in our team of volunteers, and of course we also see friends move on. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Al Kemp for his outstanding service to Leadership Victoria Society. Al was with us from the start, helped build the organization and has served us in just about every way possible. Thank you Al for all you have done. We all wish you well. Finally, thanks once again to our staff, Helen Tait and Susan Low. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you both. As I said in my opening, Leadership Victoria Society is an amazing organization that does important work, and I look forward to continuing my contribution in 2017, albeit in a different role.
Dave Wittington, President
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Alison Andresen Renn Bibeau Marja Blasé Jeffrey Butcher Pam Chandla Holly Courtright Jane Drengson
Gillie Easdon Stefan Egilson Julia Keenan Adrien Leduc Cory Manton Brendan Mather Kimberly Newton
Daniel Pizarro Alicea Praeker Jeanine Reemst Felicia Rozon Joshua Stevens Ronda Watson
Celebrating our Program Committee Volunteers The Community Leadership Development Program is the product of hundreds of hours of volunteer commitment from skilled facilitators and community leaders. We thank the members of the Program Committee for 2015-16: Co-Chairs: Michael Kaye Fiona Prince
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Committee Members: Kathleen Asher Beth Cougler-Blom Roberta Burris Rosemary Cannon Sue Iles Al Kemp Randy Kennett Al Morrison
Mary-Ann Neal Ben Pires Tracy Scott Marna Lynn Smith Helen Tait Dory Thuot Stacey Trudgian Kathleen Walsh
Supporting Leadership Capacity through Mentorship Each participant was matched with a volunteer mentor throughout the program. Mentors support our learners to identify their individual leadership goals and implement personal programs for development. Paul Abra Gita Badiyan Ian Batey Suzanne Bell Tim Cormode Sarah Hood Betska K-Burr
Leslie Knight Sharlene Law Cairine MacDonald Gregg Meiklejohn Lisa Mort-Putland Marg Rose Annette Siewertsen
Kathy Stinson Kal Suurkask Mitchell Temkin Stacey Trudgian Jennifer Walker Nancy Wilkin Peggy Wilmot
Guest Speakers and Volunteers at Community Learning Days Marika Albert Ian Batey Roberta Bell Phil Cady Ally Dewji Bob Downie
Jill Doucette Shauna Fenwick Carolyn Gisborne Cara Jones Ellie Langford-Parks Lise-Lotte Loomer
Paul Latour Stephanie Macpherson Leslie McGarry Colin Plant John Reilly Maureen Sawa
Participating Employers
Venue and Learning Day Sponsors
BC Public Service Agency BC Public Transit Corporation Camosun College District of Saanich Island Health John Howard Society Pacifica Housing Advisory Association Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation Saanich Police Department TELUS Communications University of Victoria Vancity Savings Credit Union Victoria Cool Aid Society
Central Saanich Fire Hall District Municipality of Saanich Lake Cowichan Outdoor Education Centre Royal BC Museum Royal Roads University University of Victoria Victoria Native Friendship Centre Volunteer Victoria Program Sponsorship We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.
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Team Inclusive-Us! - Get Your Ship Together
Team Members: Alison Andresen, Renn Bibeau, Gillie Easdon, Brendan Mather, Cory Manton Team Coach: Al Kemp Project Partner: West Shore Boys and Girls Club Outdoor Ed. Centre We wanted to learn what youth were interested in learning about to help them on their journey into adulthood. “Things will be so different when you leave school” resonated as a taunt and a frightening prospect for many youth with whom we spoke. The first component of our project was extensive youth engagement to see where the gaps were, what the need was and what the youth wanted. Based on this feedback, we crafted Get Your SHIP Together, a free day camp of vital and valuable life skills for 1618 year olds in the West Shore at the Boys and Girls Club Outdoor Adventure Centre on May 4, 2016. Workshop topics include finance, tenancy right, employment matters, stress management and food. It is a day of fun, food and filling the perceived gaps that can support and inspire our youth for the next leg of their journey.
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Team Pedal Empowerment—Shifting Gears
Team Members: Jeffrey Butcher, Holly Courtright, Alicea Praeker, Jeanine Reemst, Ronda Watson Team Coach: Rosemary Cannon Project Partner: Anawim Companion Society Shifting Gears was created after identifying the need for safe, reliable, cost effective transportation for community members transitioning out of life circumstances such as poverty and addiction. The project plan was to enable independence and the ability to re-enter the workforce for 25 individuals through the donation of a bicycle, helmet, lock and safety materials. The project was heavy on logistics and light on funding but has been successful as a result of the generous donations from the following: Anawim House, GVCC, Broad St. Cycle, MEC, Vancity, IsleShare, Recyclistas, Leadership Victoria and everyone who gathered, stored, donated and repaired the bicycles.
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Team Bench Strength—Booster Benches
Team Members: Stefan Egilson, Julia Keenan, Kimberly Newton, Felicia Rozon, Josh Stevens Team Coach: Randy Kennett Project Partner: South Park Family School, School District 61 The Booster Bench Project was created to foster strong childhood friendships by providing a place to connect and skill development in the areas of inclusion, empathy and kindness. On Pink Shirt Day - February 24th, 2016, the first Booster Bench was unveiled at South Park Family School, bringing together 179 elementary aged students, teachers, family and friends in the name of friendship. Throughout 2016, Bench Strength will expand the Booster Bench Project to at least 10 more schools across Greater Victoria, building a visible, community-wide friendship network.
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Team DiverCity - Happy Half-Birthday Challenge/ Jeneece Place Sanctuary Garden
Team Members: Marja Blasè, Pam Chandla, Jane Drengson, Adrien Leduc, Daniel Pizarro Team Coach: Kathleen Asher Project Partner: Help Fill A Dream Foundation Team DiverCity partnered with Help Fill A Dream Foundation to develop and launch the Happy Half Birthday Challenge which aims to raise awareness of volunteer opportunities, focused on assisting local families of children with life-threatening illnesses. The campaign encourages the community to give back on their half-birthday through volunteerism and donations. Working with Jeneece Place, a home away from home for families with kids receiving treatment at Victoria General Hospital, Team DiverCity and Help Fill A Dream Foundation installed a Sanctuary Garden at Jeneece Place. With contributions from local businesses and volunteers, this natural space provides natural therapy for those that Jeneece Place serves.
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Victoria Leadership Awards celebrate the inspiring stories and successes of community leadership in Greater Victoria. For more than a decade, our region’s business, government and community sectors have been recognizing the contributions of people and organization who demonstrate commitment, inspiration, encouragement and accomplishment. Leadership Victoria is grateful to the support of our Awards Partners and Media Sponsors in 2016 for helping us bring this event to life:
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University of Victoria Community Leadership Award acknowledges outstanding leadership in linking UVic and the community for greater public benefit — Frank Low Rotary Community Leadership Award recognizes leadership in community service that demonstrates the highest standards of personal integrity and ethical behaviour — Deborah Antonsen Coast Capital Savings Youth Leadership Award recognizes a young leader between the ages of 15 - 30 who demonstrates community leadership —Jordan Perrault Victoria Foundation Community Leadership Award recognizes an organization that is building community capacity and achieving positive change — Artemis Place Society United Way Greater Victoria Award for Collaboration and Partnership recognizes a local non-profit organization that is building community capacity by creating partnerships and collaboration — Ready to Rent BC Royal Roads University Leadership Excellence through Coaching and Mentoring Award recognizes long term and outstanding service in community leadership roles that specifically focus on coaching and/or mentoring either professionally or informally — Lily Seto Vancity Social Innovation Award recognizes leadership that challenges the status quo and develops new approaches to community challenges in the areas of social justice, food security and financial empowerment — Amanda Evans
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Leadership Victoria Lifetime Achievement Award honours outstanding long-term service in community leadership roles such as philanthropy, innovation, mentoring and career achievement. Judith Armstrong and Nick Marsden are longtime volunteer leaders with a passion for people and community. Their combined efforts over 40 years have resulted in the development of Operation Trackshoes as BC’s most successful sports festival for people with developmental disabilities. Operation Trackshoes gives an opportunity for people with developmental disabilities to take part in races, games, and social activities during a fun-filled weekend, fostering a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment.
From left: Zahra Rayani, Judith Armstrong, Nick Marsden, Naz Rayani (recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012).
Leadership Victoria Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of Leadership Victoria’s signature Community Leadership Development Program who has demonstrated the principles of leadership while making a significant impact on a community issue or need. Erika Ladouceur (CLDP ‘15) was recognized for her leadership accomplishments as the Director of Youth Programs at VI Paddling. In that role, she applied her leadership skills to organizing successful community events and mobilizing volunteers to take on leadership opportunities that ensure the ongoing sustainability of VI Paddling. From left: Maureen Sheehan, BC Transit, and Erika Ladouceur.
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We are fortunate to have the support of many more organizations who help us celebrate the Victoria Leadership Awards: Video Profiles Sponsor Fortis BC Leadership Champions TELUS Communications Victoria Airport Authority Leadership Promoters Dickson Dusanj Wirk Dodd’s Furniture Megson Fitzpatrick Insurance
Making It Happen: In-Kind Contributors Fairmont Empress Freeman Audio Visual Island Blue Kalyan Studios Matt Hornsby Production Graphics Poppies Floral Art Victoria Conference Centre
We appreciate the tireless efforts of the Committee Members and Event Volunteers who made the 2016 Victoria Leadership awards possible: Steering Committee Mike Cowan Edie Dittman (Co-Chair) Susan Low (Co-Chair) Rob Mitchell Alison Noble Doug Ozeroff Sherry Sheffman Heather Skydt Morgan Slavkin Helen Tait Chris Tilden Ivan Watson Michelle Wilson
Nominations Committee Brad Buie Lori Elder Susan Low Annette Siewertsen Chris Tilden Michele Wilson Selection Committee Tanis Clement Zoe MacLeod Rob Mitchell (Chair) Alison Noble Gurpreet Randhawa Sherry Sheffman
Communications Lori Elder Susan Low Ivan Watson Master of Ceremonies Bruce Williams Event Production & Support Morgan Slavkin Anabelle Bernard Fournier Aeryana Castley Pam Chandla Louise Whittington
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On October 14, 2015, Leadership Victoria was visited by a DRAGON! Jim Treliving, known for his role on CBC’s hit show Dragon’s Den, joined Leadership Victoria friends and guests at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel for a keynote speech and cocktail reception. The event was a successful fundraiser for Leadership Victoria and a great opportunity to hear from a world class business leader who puts values and people first! Special thanks to Mel Cooper for his leadership, and gratitude to the sponsors and team that made this event possible:
Organizing Committee Kathy Baan Layla Cochrane Mel Cooper Phil Gaudet Caroline Herbert Susan Low Joshua Stevens Helen Tait
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Event Volunteers Holly Courtright Christine Currie Edie Dittman Natasha Ewing Phil Gaudet Caroline Herbert Lorena Lennox Linda Nicoll
Blair Spencer Joshua Stevens Sarah Tarnopolsky Zuzanna Szkudlarek Photography by: Maryam Morrison
This workshop series promoted community leadership and helped grassroots leaders develop valuable skills to support their work in building a healthy community. Through the support of the Greater Victoria Savings Credit Union Legacy Foundation, we re-visioned the “Lead/Learn” workshop concept from past years with a new focus for 2016. This series was aimed at people doing community leadership work in their spare time: working boards, neighbourhood associations, sports groups, parent councils, cultural organizations and other community groups. Workshop Topics in 2016 were:
Strategic Planning Lab with James Pratt Leading Change Through Tough Times with Jennifer Walker Engaging Volunteers in Community Work with Leanna Hill Dealing with Conflict with Guy Nasmyth How to Be a Really Good Board Member with Ann Moskow Making Decisions as a Group with Sue Iles
135 people attended the various workshops which were held at locations throughout Greater Victoria. We’re grateful for the support of Jennifer Walker for her project management of the workshop series.
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Board of Directors 2015-16
Operations Team
President Dave Whittington Vice Presidents Cairine MacDonald Leslie McGarry Secretary Sarah Hood Treasurer Kyla Fiddick Directors at Large Garth Caters Sue Iles Ardis Myette Sherry Sheffman Curtis Smith Shannon Whissell
Executive Director Susan Low Program Coordinator Helen Tait Office Volunteers 2015-16 Jakelina Listes Aeryana Castley A Special Thank You We couldn’t do our work without the support and friendship of the staff and office volunteers at Volunteer Victoria, our “home base”. Thank you!
Volunteer with Us! Our Core Program Committee forms as a team in late spring to begin planning for the coming year. We welcome facilitators and coaches to express your interest in joining this team by emailing us in March 2017:
[email protected]. Mentorship matches are arranged in the fall of each year, based on the interests and needs of the Community Leadership Development Program participants. If you would be willing to serve as a mentor, please email Susan Low. Other volunteer roles include event planning, sponsorship solicitation, occasional office support, and writing/graphic design. We post these needs on our website and Facebook page.
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The year ended June 30, 2016 was a step forward for Leadership Victoria. We increased and diversified our revenue streams through fundraisers and short programs. The increase in revenues allowed us to sponsor 3 seats in our core program for individuals with limited financial resources. Revenues increased 34% from 2015 as a results of the Igniting Leadership with Jim Treliving fall fundraiser and leading in community short programs. Expenditures increased 38% as a result of expenses relating to the fall fundraiser event, additional short programs and sponsoring 3 seats in the core program. For the year ending June 30, 2016 the excess of revenues over expenses totalled $20,258. Our Statement of Financial Position at June 30, 2016 shows an accumulated surplus of $33,141 which demonstrates the continued improvement to our financial position. At the time of writing, we are reforecasting our fundraising revenues and expenses while we prepare for a revamped Victoria Leadership Awards and a headline speaker fundraising event in the spring. Due to a lower enrollment in the 2016/17 core program we are considering other short program offerings. Any net surplus realized from events is invested directly into the delivery of the Community Leadership Development Program and the development of leading in community short programs. The Board has a close eye on the long-term sustainability of the Society. While there continues to be a pressure on revenues we believe they are manageable by implementing the initiatives in our “Forecasting Our Future” Plan in addition to prudent cost control. Kyla Fiddick, CPA, CMA Treasurer
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As at June 30, 2016 with comparative figures for 2015 Unaudited
2016
2015
$
$
Assets Current Cash
47,590
46,447
285
1,900
1,577
1,630
572
—
50,024
49,977
480
618
50,504
50,595
7,363
6,420
10,000
31,292
17,363
37,712
Unrestricted
33,141
12,883
Total liabilities and net assets
50,504
50,595
Accounts Receivable Government remittances receivable Prepaid expenses
Equipment Total Assets
Liabilities Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Deferred revenue Total liabilities
Net Assets
These financial statements are provided as summary information only. The complete financial statements with accompanying notes are available at our website.
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Year ended June 30, 2016 with comparative figures for 2015 (unaudited)
2016
2015
$
$
Revenue Community Leadership Development Program
85,490
62,947
7,464
15,110
Events
93,485
55,285
Gaming
25,003
25,000
30
20
34,362
24,525
485
474
246,319
183,361
137
69
Community Leadership Development Program
52,277
18,288
Events
31,734
15,959
New short programs
23,588
11,424
Occupancy
6,000
6,201
Office and supplies
6,389
2,932
17,243
18,732
Promotion and public relations
5,269
2,008
Travel and transportation
2,640
2,000
80,784
86,504
226,061
164,117
Excess of revenue over expenses for the year
20,258
19,244
Net assets, beginning of year
12,883
(6,361)
Net assets, end of year
33,141
12,883
Donations and sponsorships
Interest and memberships New short programs Operating grants
Expenses Amortization
Professional fees
Wages and benefits
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Year ended June 30, 2016 with comparative figures for 2015 (unaudited)
2016
2015
$
$
Cash flows from operating activities: Excess of revenues over expenses
20,258
19,244
137
69
1,615
100
53
672
(572)
—
944
(10,918)
(21,292)
12,289
1,143
21,556
—
(686)
1,143
20,870
Cash, beginning of year
46,447
25,577
Cash, end of year
47,590
46,447
Amortization Decrease in receivables Decrease in government remittances receivable (Increase) in prepaid expenses Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue Total cash flows from operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property and equipment Net increase in cash
These financial statements are provided as summary information only. The complete financial statements with accompanying notes are available at our website.
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Leadership Victoria Society is thankful to the many people who have supported our mission in the past year. Your investment in developing community leadership capacity will contribute to a brighter, healthier future for the Greater Victoria region. Leadership Victoria Founding Sponsors J.W. McConnell Family Foundation United Way of Greater Victoria Victoria Foundation Volunteer Victoria Community Champions ($1,000+) Beatrice Stevens Memorial Foundation Al Kemp David Marshall
Community Supporters ($25-99) Peggy Buzzard Marg Rose Community Friends ($100-999) Nancy Greer Ted and Helen Hughes Kane Kilbey Cairine Macdonald Sharlene Smith TELUS Communications
We are also grateful to the many individuals, organizations and companies who sponsored the Community Action Projects in addition to the project partners: Bald Eagle Landscaping Barbara Praeker Bartlett Tree Experts BC Transit Bladerunners Bond Bond’s Bakery Boy Scouts of Canada Broad Street Cycle Coast Capital Savings Credit Union– Colwood Branch Country Grocer Costa Verde Landscaping Erosa Farms Fairway Foods Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition Grounds 4 Design Harbour Air Harlequin Nature Graphics Hilltop Greenhouse Hothouse Marketing IOF Columbia Lodge 2 IsleShare
Jeneece Place Kiwanis Club of Victoria Lions International Mountain Equipment Co-op Pacific Audio Works Peninsula Co-op Power to Be Adventure Therapy Society Quality Foods Ravenous Café RC Construction Recyclistas Save-a-Lot Hauling School District #61 United Brotherhood of Carpenters Loc.608 Vancity Savings Credit Union— Westshore Branch Victoria Firefighters Charitable Foundation Villages Pizza The Victoria Foundation Westshore Parks and Recreation
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Community Leadership Development Program Participants and Coaches—Graduation 2016
