| Upcoming
Meeting |
Meeting
Archives
Present:
Tessa Hebb, David Mackenzie, Kealey Cummings, Marion
Dewar
By phone: Howard Pawley, Lynn Williams
Regrets:
Robert Needham, Anne Scotton, Ted Jackson, Fraser Green,
Nanci Morrison, Joy Langan
Guests: Audrey Moey,
Doug Massey
1. Approval of minutes from previous
Board meeting, April 20, 2004.
Tessa Hebb explained that the minutes
are in the public domain on our website in accordance
with our policy of being open and transparent.
David Mackenzie asked if there was
an update on Ted Jackson's work with Carl Nicholson
from the last meeting. Marion Dewar offered to follow
up on this issue.
Motion to adopt the minutes from the
previous meeting
M/S/Carried DM/HP
There were no additions to the Agenda
as tabled.
2. President's Report
Tessa Hebb reported that there have
been two resignations since the last meeting, both due
to a change in personal circumstances:
Nanci Morrison (Treasurer) and Audrey
Moey (Administrator).
These resignations are accepted with
regret.
The Treasurer's position is therefore
open; however, the Treasurer does need to be someone
in Ottawa, as there are checks to be signed, etc.
The Treasurer should also be someone
with good contacts for fundraising.
Motion:
Tessa Hebb will approach Pat Kerwin as Treasurer or
to come on as a Board member.
M/S/C KC/DM
There is another vacancy on the Board
- Judy Wasylycia-Leis was approached, but has declined
because of other commitments. As it is important that
there be a sitting MP on our Board, TH will take as
advisement from the sitting caucus to approach Alexa
McDonough to join the Board.
Audrey Moey's resignation due to a
hectic schedule around 3 young children, and considerable
travel time to the office.
Doug Massey, who is highly recommended
by Audrey and others at Federal Office, has agreed to
take on the Administrator's responsibilities. Doug also
has website skills, which will be an asset.
Our website IS our window on the world
- TH reported that the public know more about us through
our website than do members within the Party.
We do have to look at how to make us
better known within the Party.
Motion of thanks to Audrey Moey
M/S/C DM/TH
Howard Pawley asked if letters of thanks
will go out to departing Board members. Tessa Hebb replied
that they will receive a letter from herself, plus a
resolution of thanks from the office.
Tessa Hebb suggested that the more
inactive members of the Board be asked if they would
like to continue. Joy Langan has been more active, through
the use of email, even though she is on the West Coast.
Rob Needham could not join us today, but has indicated
that he wants to be involved.
Marion Dewar asked if Board members
should/could bring projects of interest to the Board.
She was concerned about potential conflict of interest
issues when approached about supporting a project. TH
replied that Board members are welcome to bring projects
of interest to the Board's attention, as this provides
a much-needed level of screening: as we do not have
a large staff, it helps to know that projects fit our
mandate before they come to the Board.
Marion Dewar will renew her contact
with Carl Nicholson.
David Mackenzie commented that Board
members can abstain from votes on projects they are
associated with in order to avoid the perception of
a conflict of interest.
Membership
TH reported that our membership is declining because,
sadly, many members are passing on.
At the Officers' meeting yesterday,
TH reported that the goal is to have a membership base
to sustain operations to the tune of $10,000 per annum.
We are therefore looking at a minimum of 100 members,
at a membership and donation rate of $100 each.
AM reported that the few inquiries
from potential new members have not been very successful,
as our members currently do not receive any tangible
benefits, e.g. a newsletter, a gift, etc.
Discussion about what premiums can
be offered to members to join or renew - perhaps the
Tommy Douglas Tribute CD. We can also build on interest
in Tommy Douglas generated by The Greatest Canadian
show on CBC.
FG will be asked to join the next Officers'
meeting to explore these and other ideas.
If we can reach the $10,000 membership
base, this will cover our annual costs, including administration,
staff support, rent, and annual audit.
Tessa Hebb reported that our challenge
in the near future is to drive our portfolio up to $1
million. It is currently at roughly $700,000. $1 million
dollars will enable us to give out $50,000 a year.
Raising $300,000 should not be difficult,
as we can legitimately use the Douglas and Coldwell
names in seeking support; our slightly aging membership
may also be thinking of leaving a meaningful legacy
through the DCF's work.
Lynn Williams asked if we know who
the significant givers are. TH responded that while
we do not have a list, it is not difficult to find them,
as the people around the table probably know them, or
are part of that list. However, we should avail ourselves
of such lists as part of our fundraising strategy.
Howard Pawley suggested that we ask
for contributions aimed at specific projects - through
party wings/newsletters.
TH agreed: we've moved from funding
small book projects towards $7,500 - $10,000 projects
- we now have a track record. We've been on autopilot
for the last few years - it's time to get more activist
again!
TH reported that the government is
recommending that foundations distribute 4 - 5% of our
investment returns per year, thus for the current fiscal
year, she suggests that we distribute 5% (current portfolio
returns are at 8%) in grants and hold back 3%. This
5% to be distributed translates to $32,000, compared
to last year's $25,000.
M/S/C DM/KC
Howard Pawley brought up the possibility
of attracting contributions from trade unions, who may
be looking for a place to redirect their donations due
to changes to the Elections Financing Act.
All present agreed that this idea should
be pursued.
Motion to approve President's Report
M/S/C DM/KC
3. New Projects
Tessa Hebb presented this item, in
Ted Jackson's absence.
Projects that received the Committee's
recommendation to be brought to the Board:
1. “Community Ownership Solutions”
- a community project based in Manitoba that promotes
inner city revitalization - $7,500
2. Susan Scott, British Columbia-based
author of a book on women and homelessness, has found
a publisher since we received her request for support.
She also has the support of Joy Langan. Committee suggests
we provide a grant of $1,000 to her publisher, and suggest
that she seek a matching grant from the BOAG Foundation.
Howard Pawley suggested that the DCF
contribution NOT be contingent upon her obtaining a
matching grant. Agreed by all present.
3. Birdsong - a production company
based in Saskatchewan has approached us before for funding
to do a documentary on Allan Blakeney. At the time,
we declined and asked them to resubmit their request
should they receive funding from SK. They have recently
received $5,000 from the SKNDP.
Howard Pawley mentioned that the MB
NDP is working on a project about the Pawley/Schreyer
years - could the Birdsong project be in direct competition
in the documentary arena?
Tessa Hebb explained that we've turned
down all requests from SK that have not been supported
by their own provincial organizations. Feels that we
should support this one now that they've gotten support
from Saskatchewan. - $5,000
4. Apathy Is Boring
AM gave a brief overview of the project,
its creators, and history. While the purpose (to get
more young people engaged in the political process)
is laudable and the events planned creative, the scope
of this project, and its budget, are so large that the
members present felt that whatever contribution the
DCF could make would not make a significant impact.
Tessa Hebb likes the project but felt
that their ask is too large.
Marion Dewar suggested that they might
be more successful if they submitted a more targeted
request. Not recommended at this time.
5. CKUT Homelessness Marathon - campus
radio station based in Montreal will broadcast from
the streets of Montreal in Feb. 2005, reaching out to
young listeners across the country. The program will
be picked up by other campus stations. $2,000
Tessa Hebb suggested giving $2,000
(one fifth of their project cost).
Checks for the approved projects to
be mailed in January.
M/S/C TH/KC
4. Scholarship Update
Tessa Hebb reported that our scholarship
commitments are as follows:
University of Regina - $3,000 (two
theses)
Woodsworth College, University of Toronto
- $1,800 for 3 scholarships
Carleton University - Kalmen Kaplanski
& Beverlee Bell awards - unclaimed. We have to encourage
applicants for these two awards.
CALM awards - we have not been approached
to continue our support for these.
Our profile as funders at these institutions
is a positive spin-off from our scholarship grants.
5. Membership Drive
Tessa Hebb outlined the format of the upcoming membership
drive:
A letter signed by Tessa Hebb and a
Board member will be mailed to the people on the Board
member's list. This letter will be followed up with
a phone call from the Board member in question.
A call centre is also possible, but
is never as effective as a personal call. The letters
will go out first. David Mackenzie would be willing
to call his own list of people.
6. Nomination Committee report -
was covered under President's Report.
7. Other Business
David Mackenzie commented that although
our profile has been heightened due to the prevalence
of Google searches, there is also good “chatter” out
there generated by networks like ETAG and Solidarity
- two projects we've been supporting - thus the rebuilding
of the DCF that Tessa Hebb has presided over has been
done the right way. The challenge ahead is to ensure
that our infrastructure can handle the new traffic and
the new directions that we're heading in.
Lynn Williams asked if groups we have
funded are kept on our mailing list. Tessa Hebb responded
that we do keep them informed, but we need to be more
aggressive in asking them to join. Also, typically,
donors in the past have not been members. When we embark
on the membership drive, we should remember that the
direct ask from someone the donor knows cuts through
the clutter of all the other asks out there.
We will also focus on the themes of
leaving a legacy, time to give back, etc. With aging
baby-boomers making up the majority of our target membership
base, this is the best way to proceed.
Next meeting
Thursday, May 5, 2005
11:00 am - this so that Joy Langan and David Woodbury
may be able to participate if the time were later.
This Board meeting will be combined
with the Annual General Meeting.
There will be an informal lunch after the meeting.
Motion to Adjourn
M/S/C DM/MD
|
