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United Way Holds Annual General Meeting on April 6, 2011
Renfrew County United Way (RCUW) held its Annual General Meeting on April 6, 2011 to report on its operations for 2010. The results of the audit of its financial statements was presented to about thirty-five board members, funded agency representatives and donors by Fred Sinclair of Dean~Sinclair Chartered Accountants. In the opinion of the auditor, the corporation’s financial statements “present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Renfrew County United Way as at December 31, 2010 and its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.” The only qualified exception related to revenue derived from special events and door-to-door canvassing, “. . . the completeness of which is not susceptible of satisfactory audit verification”.
In his Board Chair’s Report, Mike Wright told the audience that despite the slow economic recovery, 2010 was reasonably successful but with some mixed results, including higher campaign revenues than obtained in 2009 by $66,000, and increased general management/administrative costs and higher fundraising expenditures. “We expected this as we re-tooled to provide a new look, new appeal, increased efficiency, and a more aggressive communications effort.” However, he said, in spite of the economic challenges and organizational changes, the United Way was able to increase the level of investments in Renfrew County communities over 2009 by $60,800, for a total disbursement of $343,200. He thanked all donors, volunteers and workplaces for their continued support to enable RCUW to address high priority community needs.
In her Campaign Report, Cathi Fairfield, chair of RCUW’s Campaign Cabinet, said that
despite having exceeded the target by Touchdown with record net revenues ($447,000), the recession definitely affected the campaign with increased costs and fewer people attending the events. The good news, she said, is that funds were still rolling in well into the New Year.
Notable highlights of the campaign included Renfrew County workplace contributions of over $187,000, including those from employees of AECL-Chalk River and soldiers at CFB Petawawa. The success of the campaign meant that support of funded health and social agencies in Renfrew County increased by over $82,000 from 2009, representing a $328,000 investment in the future of county communities. That figure, Cathi said, was expected to exceed $364,000 in 2011.
United Way/CPAN to re-launch Festival of Trees in fight against child poverty
Renfrew County United Way (RCUW) and the Renfrew County Child Poverty Action Network (CPAN) have expanded their partnership to stamp out child poverty in Renfrew County. As part of this effort, RCUW and CPAN are pleased to announce the re-birth of Festival of Trees – a popular pre-Christmas family event that was held in Pembroke in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The event will take place November 18-20, 2011, in the Fieldhouse at Dundonald Hall, Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. All proceeds will be directed towards the fight against child poverty in Renfrew County.
Businesses, organizations and individuals are invited to assist with the Festival by becoming sponsors and/or volunteers. Please take a few minutes and review the attached brochures. The “gold” coloured brochure describes how you can sponsor a Christmas tree or home and hearth item that will be auctioned off at the Festival Gala. The “blue” coloured brochure describes opportunities to become a major sponsor of an event or a volunteer. For more information please download the following brochures:
Brochure1 Brochure2 Major Sponsors1 Major Sponsors2
United Way Board elects new Executive
Renfrew County United Way’s Board held its annual organizational meeting on April 6, 2011 at which time a new executive committee was elected and members of board standing committees were selected.
Leading one of Renfrew County’s largest charity organizations for 2011-2012 season will be Bob French (Deep River), as Board Chair, Carole Devine (Eganville) as Vice-Chair, Mike Wright (Petawawa) as Past Chair, Gwen Greenstock (Petawawa) as Executive Secretary, Major Eve Mallette (Petawawa) as Treasurer, Cathi Fairfield (Arnprior) as Chair of the Funds Distribution Committee and Barbara Borutskie (Killaloe) as Chair, Campaign Cabinet.
Other re-elected members of the Board are Shelley Rolland-Poruks (AECL), Loreen Russell (KI-Pembroke), Sue D’Eon (Deep River), Doug Steeves (Cobden) and Fran Moyles (Petawawa).
United Way Issues Designation Cheques to Canadian Charities
During the United Way’s annual fundraising campaign, cash or payroll pledges are sometimes received from donors who want their contributions forwarded to other agencies. The United Way movement across the country honours such donor requests less a handling or administration fee that ranges from 10 – 20 percent.
Designated pledges, once honoured in the year following the campaign, are remitted early in the subsequent year. Cash designations are remitted the year following the campaign.
Renfrew County United Way recently distributed $11,317.85, representing 2009 pledges and 2010 cash designations, to 37 registered Canadian charities across the country. Renfrew County United Way levies a 10 percent fee to cover the administration costs of processing these designations. This followed a transfer of $14,872.83 to 45 Canadian charities in December 2010, representing 2008 pledge and 2009 cash designations.
United Way Board Transfers Deep River United Way Endowment Funds to North Renfrew Family Services
Renfrew County United Way’s Board of Directors agreed in late February 2011 with the trustees of the former Deep River District United Way to transfer endowment funds it invested over a number of years within the financial portfolio of the Deep River and District Community Foundation to the North Renfrew Family Services Donor Directed Fund. This decision ensures that the $63,000 in funds raised in the Deep River District remain there to benefit its residents.
At the same time, the Board resolved to create a new United Way Endowment Fund within the Foundation to eventually provide resources that would address community needs as defined by Renfrew County United Way’s six strategic priorities. Arrangements will shortly be made to transfer $10,000 to a Renfrew County United Way Endowment Fund that will be managed by the Foundation. Community members in North Renfrew are encouraged to contribute to this fund so that eventually the principal amount is at a sufficiently high level to direct meaningful interest revenue to qualified community initiatives.
United Way Board Invests Additional $$ in Pembroke Petawawa District Community Foundation Endowment Fund
Renfrew County United Way’s Board of Directors agreed in late February 2011 to make an additional $17,000 investment in the United Way Endowment Fund within the Pembroke Petawawa District Community Foundation. Interest from the Fund, once it reaches sufficient size, will be used for community initiatives that address one or more of the United Way’s six strategic priorities. Members of the public are encouraged to join the United Way in helping to shape their communities’ future by investing in the Fund through planning giving.
United Way Approves Grant to Assist Developmentally Challenged Children
In February 2011, the United Way’s Funds Distribution Committee approved a grant of $15,000 to help Community Living Renfrew South provide a summer camp experience for children with developmental challenges. The United Way is pleased to help with this initiative as part of its Youth Matters Initiative.
United Way Approves Grant to Help Provide School Supplies to Children Living in Poverty
In February 2011, the United Way’s Funds Distribution Committee approved a grant of $14,000 to assist the Renfrew County Child Poverty Action Network (CPAN) in supplying school supplies to children living in poverty. The grant is a major step in CPAN’s efforts to secure sustained funding for its Backpack Plus Program. A major fundraising effort is underway to encourage each member of Renfrew County’s business community to support one child each year. The United Way is pleased to join this effort as part of its Poverty Matters Initiative.
United Way Approves Grant to Family & Children’s Services of Renfrew County
In March 2011, the United Way’s Funds Distribution Committee approved a grant of $5,000 to Family & Children’s Services of Renfrew County to assist disadvantaged children attend the Darlene Aikens Memorial Summer Camp. The United Way has supported this summer camp for many years and is pleased to be able to participate again as part of its Youth Matters Initiative.
