2012 AGM
Annual Report for 2011
“Maybe I can’t change the world but I can make a difference in the life of at least
one child who is not my own”
Author Unknown
Message from the President of the Board
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle has completed another excellent year. The
commitment of staff to provide excellent programs and activities for the youth in our community
continues to enrich lives. The Board of Directors would like to extend a huge “Thanks” to all of the
volunteers in our community who give of themselves to be a Big, run a day program for our Littles, or
come out and bowl for an evening. The success of all of these activities allows our Littles to enjoy great
times with friends and volunteers.
Our agency would not be what we are without the incredible generosity of our community. From the
individuals who sponsor a bowler to friends of the agency who sponsor many Littles to have a summer
camp experience, this generosity drives Big Brothers Big Sisters. Thank you to all of the community
members and organizations who choose Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle as the
recipients of their donations.
Doug Paul
President, Board of Directors
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE GEORGIAN TRIANGLE ………………………………..page 4
VISION Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle
MISSION Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle
2011 Board of Directors
2011 Staff
2012 BIG and LITTLE RECOGNITION NIGHT ……………………………………………..………………………………..……page 5
2012 AGM AGENDA ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….page 6
2011 AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT………………………………………………………………………………12 page Addendum
2011 STAFF REPORTS ….………………………………………………………………………………………………………… page 7
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S 2011 REPORT
CASEWORK MANAGER’S 2011 REPORT - Community – Based Programming
CASEWORKER’S 2011 REPORT – Site Based Programming
CASEWORKER’S 2011 REPORT – Activities and Outreach
THANK YOU TO OUR 2011PARTNERS …………………………………………………………………………………………page 11
Our Vision
“Every child that needs a mentor has a mentor”
Our Mission
“To build brighter futures for children through volunteers using professionally developed
mentoring programs delivered in a safe environment that encourages positive friendships and
self-esteem building”.
2011 Board of Directors
Executive
President: Doug Paul
Vice President: Vacant
Treasurer: Tim Fryer
Secretary: Kate Knox
Past President: Iona Tough
Directors At Large
Dick Corner
Bethany Holzendorff
Jeff McAlister
Lynne Kirwan
Colleen Swinwood
Trevor Percy
Pam McDermid
Don Michalenko
2011 Staff
Karen Webb — Executive Director
Cathy Couttie — Casework Manager Community – Based Programming
Christy Coutts — Caseworker Site Based Programming
Tabetha Terrell — Activities Coordinator/Outreach Caseworker
Big and Little Recognition Night
(June 14, 2012 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm)
This AGM we say goodbye to a great Big Brother and Program Volunteer Jim Otterson,
but we celebrate as the agency as a whole recognizes the growth of our kids in four amazing categories,
in honour of Big Brother Jim – personal growth, community service, friendship/hospitality
and health and sports.
What a great way to end our year – remembering a great volunteer, celebrating great kids, reflecting on
happy moments and thanking our wonderful volunteers.
2012 Program for the Evening
Mingle; Draw Tickets
5:30 – 6:00
Dinner, Recognition, Awards, Prizes
6:00 – 7:00
Games
7:00 – 7:30
Business Meeting
7:30 – 8:00
Annual General Meeting
(Review of 2011)
Held on Thursday June 14, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Trinity United Church
140 Maple Street
Collingwood Ontario
Business Meeting
Call Meeting to Order
Doug Paul
Introductions
All
Approval of Agenda
All
Approval of Thursday June 16, 2011 AGM Minutes
All
Treasurer’s Report
Tim Fryer
Approval 2011 Audited Financial Statements
All
Appointment of BDO Dunwoody as Auditors for 2012
All
Election of Officers Board of Directors
Board Development Committee
Staff Reports
Karen Webb
Cathy Couttie
Christy Coutts
Tabetha Terrell
Closing Remarks & Adjourn
Doug Paul
All Documents Pre-Circulated – Annual Report & Financials
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S 2011 REPORT
2011 has been another busy and productive year for the agency with many celebrations along the way.
We have a strong diversified team of staff, we have a supportive Board of Directors and we have great
kids and families. Serving children and youth across five municipalities presents a challenge of its own in
terms of geography as does the increasing complexity of our clients and families. Cathy, Christy and
Tabetha are professional, talented and complement each other’s skills.
The Agency received its seventh consecutive growth award from national office in 2011, reflecting 2010
numbers. In 2011 the agency served 247 kids, sent 60 kids to various camps and reached 500
additional kids outside our Big Brother Big Sister family with our Recess Program which is open,
encouraging inclusiveness and cooperation. Thirty-two different successful activities and events were
organized in 2011serving 34 waitlisted kids and 40 Littles.
Our 2011 Tim Hortons Bowl for Kids’ Sake event raised an all-time record high at $115,000. We
introduced a school challenge to our signature fund raising event. The Collingwood Alternative School
was the winning team receiving a plaque for bragging rights. We added an evening of bowling to the
Meaford Bowl event and raised an additional $5,000 over the previous year. Our successful report to the
Ontario Trillium Foundation resulted in our third and final year of funding which supported our successful
school based outreach programs. Our Village of Blue Mountain Foundation grant sent children and
youth to camp during 2011. In addition, a $10,000 donation from a local resident and his sister sent kids
to Camp Simpresca. A grant proposal to the Ontario Ministry of Education administered through BBBSC
was approved at $15,000 for School Based Programming for the 2011/12 school year. Upon successful
application, the United Way of South Georgian Bay presented BBBS with a cheque for $6,500. As the
chosen recipient for the Tim Hortons Charity Golf Tournament, our agency received $21,879 in 2011.
The annual Tim Hortons Charity Golf Tournament has historically supported one charity for three
consecutive years which means the 2012 tournament would be the agency’s third and final event. Given
the agency’s situation with the Ontario Trillium grant coming to an end, and after a conversation with the
owner and creator of the tournament, a decision was made to extend support to BBBS a fourth year with
an added comment on the good fit. This will give the agency an opportunity to seek out new funding
opportunities. The Collingwood Progress Club had its second annual Rubber Duckie Race donating
$1250 to our agency and The Huron Club Restaurant donated $6000 from their second annual golf
tournament. The Rotary Club of Wasaga Beach and the Rotary Club of South Georgian Bay also
supported the agency.
There were lots of special events that came our way in 2011 including being invited as an agency to the
formal kick-off and unveiling of the Ridge Runner ride at the Village of Blue. Along with Collingwood’s
OPP Inspector we had the pleasure of being interviewed by Breakfast TV that morning. We talked about
our agency and our Kids, Cops and Communities program.
Respectfully Submitted Karen Webb
Karen Webb
CASEWORK MANAGER’S 2011 REPORT - Community Based Programming
March 2011 celebrated my 7th year working at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle. One of
our former Littles in high school stopped by the office the other day to say hello. I sometimes wonder
what the program has meant to each child that is in it. This Little, now a teen, had two Bigs, both had
moved away due to work. The Little mentioned how she still receives advice from her Bigs through
Facebook and email. She gave me updates on how both Bigs were doing and talked about her plans to
visit both. She asked if we still take kids out on the police boat and talked how fun it was to drive the
boat. She still has the art she made from our first art group on her bedroom wall. She talked about
Rounds Ranch and our toboggan day. Clearly, the memories were good ones and it was nice to hear
her reflections. Every child should have wonderful memories of their childhood. Big Brothers Big Sisters
of the Georgian Triangle strives to achieve this by providing children with caring mentors, activities,
camp experiences and a chance to be part of a community that is caring.
The Traditional Match Program continued to be steady in 2011 with an average of 40 matches.
Increasing the length of time of a match is in many ways more important than increasing the number of
matches. We have had a number of matches exceed the one year commitment. This included a match
of 13 years and other matches approaching or at 7,6,4,3 and 2 years in length. We know that years
matter in making a positive impact in mentoring. During our accreditation process, emphasis was placed
on the Traditional Program as it is unique in allowing one to one interaction of adults and children. In
keeping up with standards, it has been important to manage the matches in a way that allows this to
happen. The level of support required in matches differs and we strive to be respectful of the needs of
each family while meeting our standards.
Attending camp can be a great opportunity for a child. Camp Simpresca was again offered to children in
our program through two kind sponsors. Twenty-two attended Simpresca the summer of 2011. Tim
Hortons Camp offered six spots for local children to attend Camp Onondaga Farms in St. George with
one extra position for one of our Littles in her second year of leadership camp.
When I started Kids, Cops and Communities at our agency seven years ago, we were wondering how
long this program would last knowing how busy the police can be. Both detachments continue to be
involved and support our program and we have a great relationship with both detachments. We have
seen the benefits of children building a healthy relationship with the police.
In our small office of four we all wear many hats. This has included appearing on Rogers TV, Peak FM,
arranging stories or pictures for the newspapers. We arranged and delivered Christmas hampers for
families. Throughout the year we delivered clothes, toys and bikes to kids. We had our first opportunity
to partner with Blue Mountain to celebrate the official opening of the Ridge Runner on June 10th. I
organized our Bigs, Littles and Collingwood OPP to attend the event which took place at 7am in the
morning.
When I reflect on years at this agency, I am impressed with the growth of the agency as well as the
quality of the programs that this small nonprofit offers to the community. It is a pleasure to work with the
families, mentors, board and staff and a pleasure to come to work each day.
Respectfully Submitted Cathy Couttie
Cathy Couttie
CASEWORKER’S 2011 REPORT – Site Based Programming
One morning last week, I came in to my office to find a large, lovingly crafted thank you card on my
desk. It was the result of a co-operative effort by my three wonderful Collingwood Collegiate co-op
students and it set me up for the whole day. All three of them had written messages about what the
program had done for them. As they had been making a difference in the lives of many children, it
seems they had been finding themselves and, as one of them said, discovering new possibilities.
Isn’t that what we want for the children in our programs—the opportunity to discover new possibilities?
I like to think of mentoring as an encouragement program and in 2011 we did a lot of encouraging in our
site based programs. More than 100 children had in-school mentors, thanks to our dedicated
volunteers, both adult and student. We had eight co-op students over the course of the year and each
one of them helped to open up new possibilities for their mentees.
At Homework Club, we made homework help possible for 15 children when we opened the group up to
accommodate Mountain View School students who had not been part of our agency programs. The
result was a very busy Tuesday afternoon session each week with secondary student tutors guiding the
kids through assignments and projects.
Our Sandparent program continued in day care and school locations and, as always, I heard how
appreciated these volunteers are as they share their love of reading with little ones.
When I wasn’t running from school to school to deliver co-op students, monitor programs or talk to
volunteers and children and teachers, I found time to help with grant proposals and do the required
reporting, pull together often requested statistics and attend most of the group activities and Kids and
Cops events including my personal favourite—a drumming workshop that showed what great rhythm our
Littles have. I attended COMPASS and SCATEH meetings, a raucous rock concert that raised funds for
the agency and an exceptional and motivating workshop entitled Bridges out of Poverty that talked about
real possibilities for people living in challenged circumstances.
It was, I suppose, a year like any other but if I’ve learned anything in all the years I’ve been doing this
work, it’s that no two years are the same. No two days, in fact, are the same. We never know who will
come through our door or what kind of story we’ll hear when we pick up the phone. The possibilities are
endless.
I am grateful to be part of a team that continues to work well together and tries every day to find ways to
meet the needs of the people who are part of our agency.
And every now and then—pretty often, actually--someone lets us know that we’re doing just that. I was
delighted to find the following message, written by a mom, added to a parent consent form: “David had
a really big change in his school work, attitude, self-esteem. David did really well with his mentor last
year. He loved her. Thanks.” I’m pretty sure his mentor got as much from the match as he did. As one
of my long time mentors told me, “the program has absolutely enriched my life”. Possibilities are all
around.
Respectfully Submitted Christy Coutts
Christy Coutts
CASEWORKER’S 2011 REPORT – Activities and Outreach
In preparing for this year’s AGM, I asked kids what they thought BBBS meant to them and to the lives of
children in the agency - one 14 year old Little Sister responded, “I think it’s a great idea to get to know
the adults around them and it gives them one more person to be able to trust, and have fun with. The
activities give the kids a chance to meet new friends form different age groups. I find BBBS makes a
difference in every kid’s life and Big’s life.” Another Little Sister, 12 years old said “my thoughts are that
kids can hang out with new people and meet new kids and they have the chance to shine like a star!”
I step back after speaking to our children and I say “Isn’t that what it is all about? matching great kids
with great adults, creating powerful friendships, and lasting memories.” It is easy to get caught up in the
paperwork and the mundane office “must do’s” but the kids always take you back to that one true thing –
it’s all about the ability to share in the lives of young people in such a way as to impact not only the Little,
but the Big as well. Big Brothers Big Sisters gives every child and every adult the chance to shine – we
come in to children’s lives as strangers but so often leave larger than life. Our time with children can be
short, but the impact immeasurable.
In 2011 I had the privilege of taking the BBBS Recess Program on the road. I met literally hundreds of
children in the Georgian Triangle and I ran, jumped, laughed and played with kids of all different ages,
developmental stages, social status’ and cultural roots. The mentoring aspect of a program like this is
built around dynamics – you have literally 15 minutes, to teach, play and share turns with sixty or so
kids. While it sounds like absolute craziness, what I did see is kids of every type coming together and
playing as one big group. Nobody who wanted to play could be turned away and everybody was
demanded a team spirit. There is something magical about everyone fitting in and playing together. It is
the exact opposite of “every man, woman and child for themselves” attitude that kids are so often taught
today. It’s about a better tomorrow, and again it comes back to happy, healthy, friendships. While the
Recess Program is not long term mentoring, it is a healthy “hello” to kids that have not been introduced
to our agency, and a chance to have impact upon children that may never shadow our doors, but who
may need us just the same. What I have learned is that bullying is easily executed, not always noticed,
and not always well diagnosed. The school yard is an open environment, with never enough eyes to
catch it all – and that is nobody’s fault... but a program like this, teaching kids to play together, to work
together, and to care about one another, helps to bridge differences, recognize similarities, and busy idol
hands and feet. If you take your vitamins every day and keep yourself in reasonable shape, the Recess
Program is every adults chance to be a kid again, and every kids chance to outrun, out play, and
completely “skool” the adults of their world.
So this year I case-noted, interviewed, screened, safety trained, fundraised, and played my way through
2011. I now have 15 awesome children on my caseload – whom are wait listed and being assessed
before entering the world of one-on-one mentorship. I have had the privilege of running 32 agency
activities, serving approximately 34 wait-listed kids and ran the Recess Program in 7 schools throughout
the Georgian Triangle, serving at least 500 children. We’ve had our ups with our kids – great
celebrations, great triumphs, numerous growths, and we’ve had our down times – court cases, drop
outs, and dramas; we’ve been lucky though, maybe even blessed, because we have had the opportunity
to be there and support our families through it all. I leave you with this quote: “How wonderful it is that
nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world” – Anne Frank.
Until next year, keep safe, play hard, and have fun!
Respectfully Submitted Tabetha Terrell
Tabetha Terrell
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
Ontario Ministry of Education
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ontario Endowment
The United Way of South Georgian Bay
CIBC
RBC Foundation
Rotary Club of Wasaga Beach and Area
Rotary Club of Collingwood and South Georgian Bay
Tim Hortons – Tim Hortons Charity Golf Tournament
Village at Blue Mountain Foundation
The Village of Blue Mountain
Collingwood Progress Club
The Huron Club Restaurant
IMS Insurance Marketing Services Ltd.
The Buchan Family Foundation
John Stransky
Julie Havens
Shane Cloutier Band
BOWL FOR KIDS SAKE: THANK YOU TO OUR TITLE SPONSOR
Tim Hortons – Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Stayner
Tim Hortons – Thornbury
Tim Hortons – Meaford
BOWL FOR KIDS SAKE: THANK YOU TO OUR SIGNATURE SPONSOR
Investors Group
THANK YOU TO OUR GEORGIAN BOWL LANE SPONSORS
Baulke, Augaitis, Stahr
Collingwood Toyota
Envision Tatham
Gaviller & Company LLP
Investors Group
Loblaw great food
Prudential On the Harbour Real Estate
Quanbury Flooring Centre
Sobeys
Town of Collingwood
RBC – Collingwood, Stayner, Wasaga Beach
Pat LaLonde: Mortgage Broker Lender Direct Capital Corporation
Sara White: Caldwell Banker
THANK YOU TO OUR MEAFORD BOWL LANE SPONSORS
Floorcrafters – Thornbury
Dean’s Carpet One – Meaford and Duntroon
The Co-operators Agent Jeff Elford
Reg Noble’s Automotive Sales & Service – Meaford
Thornbury Graphics & Thornbury Clear Choice Pools & Spa
Foodland Meaford
THANK YOU TO OUR BFKS PRIZE SPONSORS
Noble Insurance
Blue Mountain Resort
Cranberry Resort
Bed & Breakfast Caboose Creemore
Tholos Restaurant
Pat LaLonde
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
Galaxy Cineplex Collingwood
The PEAK FM
Tim Hortons
The Huron Club Restaurant
Toppers Pizza
Dairy Queen Stayner
A&W Collingwood
Leaky Canoe Pub & Eatery – Meaford
New Orleans Pizza Thornbury & Meaford
THANK YOU TO OUR MEDIA SPONSORS
95.1 The Peak FM
ROGERS TV
Enterprise Bulletin
Collingwood Connection
THANK YOU TO OUR PERKS SPONSORS
Georgian Bowl
Meaford Bowl
Cranberry Resort
Scenic Caves
Collingwood YMCA
Wasaga Beach YMCA
Georgian Manor
Blue Mountain Go-Carts
Dockside at the Village of Blue
Collingwood Trampoline
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle
129 Hurontario St. Unit 201
Collingwood, ON L9Y 2L9
Ph: (705) 445-2330
Fax: (705) 445- 8627