2005 - 2006 Annual Report
Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group
The Fractal Fern
With the rapid power of computer generation, we are gaining glimpses into the principles of nature’s designs. This Fern frond exhibits self-similarity at various scales – the larger frond made of smaller yet similar ‘branches’, comprised of frond-like ‘leaves’. This self-referential pattern continues from the smallest scales to the largest. What might we learn from the humble fern? Perhaps that society emerges from cities that are teeming with neighbourhoods which are comprised of a myriad of groups, encompassing the breadth of individual diversity. Like nesting Russian Matryoshka dolls, the pattern merely grows or shrinks, but maintains its fundamental shape. And perhaps, as would have to happen with the Fern, for true changes to happen in the pattern called Society, those changes must also occur in the other levels of the nested system; within the individual, in our groups, neighbourhoods and cities…
>> resident powered neighbourhood evolution
Letter f r o m t h e C h a i r
Upon my return from completing the first stages of a Ph.D on the history of homelessness at the University of Toronto (attending board meetings by conference call all the while) I became acting chair of Fernwood NRG and, in August we made the cabinet shuffle, so to speak, official. Before celebrating the I would like to thank all of those who contributed in big and small ways to the project, allowing the Society to end the 20052006 fiscal year “in the black” despite the risk, okay, the leap we took in purchasing the Cornerstone last August. While money and supplies are, of course welcome, our most heartfelt debt goes to our neighbours. To those who came out to numerous work parties, those who spent gorgeous days last summer and early fall emptying the building, pulling up plywood, sweeping out insulation, pulling down lathe and plaster, loading dumpster after dumpster getting the building ready for renovation. Without the hard volunteer work of Fernwood residents, many of whom are or have become Fernwood NRG members, the Cornerstone project would not be as far along as it is, nor would working in a dusty old building have been so much fun! Although it is our largest project to date, the Cornerstone is only one facet of our Society’s focus. Our Childcare and Family Support programs have been running at nearly full capacity this past year. We compiled the second annual CD of Fernwood musicians; ‘Fernwood Rising’, and held another great neighbourhood festival ~ the 11th annual Fernfest! We invested great amounts of time and energy hoping to jumpstart the renovation of the Community Centre, working on the Stevenson Park Committee, participating in the Victoria Urban Development Initiative and liaising with City staff and Council on all things Fernwood. Our run at the Vancity million dollar award not only landed us among the top 10, but saw us work together intensely to compile our comprehensive organizational plans. Of course, one of our most noticeable undertakings has been the rebranding of our Society. Working with local graphic designer Marianne Unger of Mud Studio, we have nearly completed the huge task of designing and changing our name and logo on everything: from stamps and cheques to letterhead and t-shirts! As an organization, Fernwood NRG has grown in leaps and bounds over the past year. I thank all our staff and volunteers and of course my fellow board members for their commitment. I look forward to continuing to increase our program and service offerings while maintaining a commitment to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Lisa Helps Chair, Fernwood NRG
many and varied activities of the Society this past year, I want to take the opportunity to thank Lee. I want to thank him for his inspired leadership, his unwavering sensibility, for his level headedness even in times of great chaos, for his utter and complete dedication to the organization even when it might have been easier to walk away, and finally for truly being the strong, flexible and unbroken backbone of this organization for these past eight years. Under Lee’s leadership, the Society has come along way, and, combined with the energy and ability, moving and shaking capacity of our Executive Director, Roberta Martell, much has come to fruition in the past year. After the purchase of the Cornerstone building on the 1st of August, 2005, the Society hired former board member Lenore Rankin as Development Coordinator. Lenore promptly began an overwhelmingly successful fundraising drive raising over $365,000 to renovate the building. Significantly, it was not only money that Lenore, and Roberta working with her, were able to secure but also the donation of work boots, masks, dumpsters, cabinets, and pro bono building plans, to name only a few.
Letter f r o m t h e E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r
This year’s highlights include our second annual board planning retreat held on January 6th. This saw the bones of our strategic plan drafted, which Tania Wegwitz fleshed out into the final document which we adopted earlier this year. We were short listed as one of the top 10 candidates for the Vancity Million dollar award. Thanks to all the board and staff who made that happen! ways to move forward together. Thanks to Anne Russell and Dr. Mackenzie Brooks for designing such a successful day. Fond farewells go out to long time staff Deb Heberlein and to OSC supervisor Lisa Whynacht. Shauna Voss has moved to fill our bookkeeping role, and we have hired new accountant Gwyneth Thompson to oversee the books and revamp our financial systems. Beyond the good news of our third consecutive audit, this year saw many increases in staff wages, the implementation of group benefits, and a commitment to closing over the winter holiday so staff can rest and recharge with their families. James Thornton pulled together our second music compilation CD for Fernwood. Tania Wegwitz worked hard to create our interactive website. We have published a full year of our monthly Village Vibe newspaper. Special thanks go to editor Lisa Helps for her passion and commitment to the Vibe. In May, we brought Dr. David Suzuki to Fernwood, and his inspiring presentation at Vic High garnered standing ovations, made a lasting impact on the many who were there, and raised nearly $14,000 for our geothermal heat and hot water system at the Cornerstone. I’d like to thank the many students at Vic High for their support with this presentation and outgoing principal Keith Forshaw for donating use of the auditorium. Special thanks to Trish Richards and Lenore Rankin for help building Dr. Suzuki’s kayak. We also worked hard to bring the 2002 Garyali plan for the renovation of the Centre back to life! When Fernwood was identified as eligible for special capital funds ($500,000) to help with the creation of new early childhood daycare spaces, we had hoped to kick start the renovation and seismic upgrading of the Community Centre with this money and the conditional million dollars the City awarded us in December of 2005. There was a public outcry about the city spending two million dollars on two of their buildings in Fernwood, and none in other neighbourhoods, so the conditional million was put on hold while the City decides upon a comprehensive funding strategy for Fernwood, and our dreams of renovating the centre have been shelved for the time being. All in all, 2005-06 has been one heck of a busy year! I would like to thank all of the wonderful staff and volunteers who have moved us so far along in such a short period of time. After the Cornerstone – rest! I promise this time. Roberta Martell Executive Director
The renovation of the Cornerstone has continued and, as this report goes to press, we are within a month of finishing the 4, market-based family affordable housing units which will be occupied as of November 1st! The Cornerstone Café, our community coffee shop will be opening by midOctober, creating 8 new jobs in the core of our neighbourhood as well as providing a ‘space of encounter’ and neighbourhood living room for Fernwood! This year was a first for us as we passed the milliondollar mark for revenues and expenditures! We have not only expanded our offerings, but are also partnering with others. We are running the innovative Squeals on Wheels program to get meals to new moms, and hosting the Good Food Box program. We held our first of many organizational retreats in August. With the rapid growth of our programming and many new faces at NRG, we knew it was time to bring everyone together and begin a dialogue about our hopes and dreams for this neighbourhood, this organization, and to discuss the best
What do e s t h e F e r n w o o d N R G d o ?
The Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group (Fernwood NRG) is an organization run by and for the residents of Fernwood. Since 1979, we have been Family Support > Victoria Best Babies > Squeels on Wheels > Mother Goose > Parent and Tot Playgroup > Nobody’s Perfect > Camp Getaway Quality Licensed Childcare > Infant and Toddler Daycare > Preschool > Kindercare > Out of School Care > Summer Camps providing a wide variety of programs and services for our diverse neighbourhood. For more information, please visit www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca Urban Sustainability > Alternative Energy > Alternative Transportation > Food Security > Good Food Box > Sustainability Action Group Neighbourhood Communications > Neighbourhood Planning and Advocacy > Free Internet Access > VillageVibe Newspaper and Events Calendar > Interactive Website
The Cornerstone Building Initiative > Neighbourhood Revitalization > Affordable Family Housing > Neighbourhood Café and Resource Centre > Community Economic Development Recreation and Culture > Drop in Sports > Seniors Programs > Youth Programs > Neighbourhood Celebrations and Events > Facilities Rental > Fernfest
Top row: ED Roberta Martell hard at work; senior’s tea at the Centre; daycare grad; Development Coordinator Lenore Rankin surveying the scene. Bottom row: Camosun Street resident Loris hard at work; kids on parade at Fernfest street party; Lisa and Patty pulling old nails from the beautiful old floors in the Cornerstone.
Corners t o n e U p d a t e
When Fernwood NRG contemplated buying the Cornerstone building we were dreaming big. We asked ourselves whether or not we were prepared to buy the future for our grandchildren. We answered yes. On August 2, 2005 we purchased the building and we haven’t looked back since. The first step in the Cornerstone project was to raise money to renovate and this we did with the help and experience of Development Coodinator Lenore Rankin. In addition a number of people from the neighbourhood and beyond have made one time and monthly donations to the project. Thanks to all. Once funding was secured, we began work converting the derelict old building into commercial spaces for rent on the main floor and four, three-bedroom market-based affordable housing units up top. With the help of hundreds of neighbourhood volunteers the boards were ripped off and windows were replaced. We emptied out years worth of accumulated debris, tore down walls, pulled up floors, yanked out toilets, ripped up carpet and began to build. Along the way we’ve relied on the expertise and in some cases the pro bono services of various designers, contractors, trades people and other builders who have made various donations. Garde Collins has been an invaluable asset to the project. He drew up building plans for us for both upstairs and downstairs at no cost. His experience proved valuable in negotiating the ins and outs of refurbishing and old building. Special thanks go to Fernwoodian Lance Priestly of Magnum Plumbing, Panther Electric, S. Turning Sheet Metal and Goyert Contracting. Glen Mitchell donated his services for our survey. Dockside Green donated fixtures and cabinets to us from their phase I display suite, and the Re-Store donated floor tiles, cabinets and fixtures. Perhaps the biggest boost to the project came when we decided to retrofit the old building with a geothermal energy system and David Suzuki agreed to donate his time and skills to help us out.
Volunteer designer extraordinaire Garde Collins surveys the scene in the pre-reno Cornerstone building; volunteers take a well-deserved break at a Cornerstone work party.
Not only concerned with the economic sustainability of Fernwood residents (and residents to be!), we have attempted along the way to ensure that the environmental footprint of the Cornerstone building and its new residents is as small as possible. We spent a lovely May evening in Fernwood discussing Urban Sustainability, and raised nearly $13,000 from that event to the geothermal system. Thanks to Drs. Suzuki and Tara Cullis for their support and inspiration. At the 2005-2006 year end, the building was well on its way to becoming inhabitable. Since then, Steve
and Bobby of Freedom Kilts have moved in from across the road, we’ve got the residential units just about ready to go upstairs, we’re opening our own Cornerstone Café within the next month and we’ve recently signed a lease for the two middle suites downstairs. Thanks to everyone for their commitment to this amazing project! We can’t WAIT to see what the next year brings to the core of our fantastic neighbourhood, and the Cornerstone project!
Top row: Bert and board member Margaret Hantiuk look out over Gladstone Street; Chair (now Treasurer) Lee Herrin hard at work; Chair person Helps giving directions; lunch at a work party; volunteer pulls down the ceiling. Bottom row: work party action never ends.
Treasur e r ’s R e p o r t
The financial year 2005/06 was a breakthrough year for the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Society. As you will see in our financial statements, we met our commitments to the following financial goals as outlined in our principles: Principle 2: WE are committed to ensuring neighbourhood control or ownership of neighbourhood institutions and assets. On August 1st, 2005 the Fernwood NRG purchased the Cornerstone Building at 1301 Gladstone for $1.28 million from Robin Kimpton. This gives the Society (and hence the neighbourhood) ownership of a key neighbourhood asset, one of the four corners of downtown Fernwood. Within the rest of the fiscal year of 2005/06, we invested a further $78,200 in holding and beginning the redevelopment of the property into 4 market-based affordable housing suites upstairs and up to four commercial suites on the ground floor. Principle 3: WE are committed to using our resources prudently and to becoming financially self-reliant. The 2005/06 financial year is the third year in a row that the society has delivered a surplus on its operations ($81,468). With the opening of the Infant & Toddler Childcare Program in 2004/05 and its expansion to 20 spaces in 2005/06, childcare fees increased 30% to $443,232. The hiring of Lenore Rankin as our Development Coordinator was also a success as our grant revenue increased 26% to $512,744, while our fundraising increased 36% to $58,877. Additionally, grants of $87,272 were received, mainly for the Cornerstone Affordable Housing Project, that were deferred to the 2006/07 year. Summary After serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for seven years (1999-2006), I have returned to the role of Treasurer where I began when I joined the Board of the then Fernwood Community Centre Society in 1998. Looking back, it’s amazing how much progress we’ve made. On the first financial statement I presented to the membership in June of 1999, we had assets of $153,827 including $13,113 of capital assets. Our net assets were $78,245. Today, seven years later, Fernwood NRG has assets of $1,700,572 (up over 1200%), including capital assets of $1,488,896. Today, our net assets stand at $727,344 (up 930%). This tremendous success has been a product of the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers, and the outstanding leadership of our Executive Director, Roberta Martell. None of this would have been possible without her tireless efforts on behalf of all Fernwood’s residents. I now present the 2005/06 Financial Statements of the Fernwood NRG as prepared and audited by Obara Lee & Co. Lee Herrin Treasurer
Fernwo o d N R G B o a r d a n d S t a f f
Board
Lisa Helps, Chair Annalee Lepp, Secretary Lee Herrin, Treasurer Margaret Hantiuk Jim Starck Trish Richards Tania Wegwitz Susan Salvati Paula DeBeck Centre Operations James Thornton, Centre Attendant Cindy Ingvallsen, Centre Attendant Rec & Leisure Programs Anne Russell, Special Events Joanne Kyne, AGS Seniors Cook James Thornton, Sports Coordinator Brianna Waldman, Youth Programmer Daycare Tina Seymour, Daycare Supervisor Jeevan Takhar, Early Childhood Educator Cora Fisher, Early Childhood Educator Joy Roberts, Early Childhood Educator Anne-Marie Marynaick, Volunteer George Jay Childcare Programs Tanya Powell, George Jay Supervisor Trevor Tuckwell, Program Leader Sean Solberg, Support Worker Adam Zonnis, Program Leader Donne Torre, Program Leader Anna Binakaj, Program Leader Meghan MacDonald, Program Leader Infant & Toddler Judy Smith, Infant & Toddler Supervisor Erin McDougal, Early Childhood Educator Tanya Weldon, Infant Childhood Educator Diana Neufeld, Early Childhood Educator Yuri Pomeroy, Early Childhood Assistant Emily Smith, Part-Time Assistant Lori Hamar, ECE Sub Kyra Stewart, ECE Sub Substitute Childcare Workers Marci Condon, Substitute Sarah Board, Substitute Oriana Cameron, Substitute Debra Preston, Substitute – ECE I&T Josie Bissonnette, Substitute Family Programs Liz Murdoch, Program Coordinator Naomi North, Program Assistant Jennifer Dennis, Program Assistant Victoria Best Babies Germaine Asplin, Victoria Best Babies Program Manager Debra Heberlein, Community Development/ Outreach Janelle Hatch, Dietitian Lyn Joth, Outreach Worker Jennifer Freeman, Good Food Box Coordinator
Administration
Roberta Martell, Executive Director Lenore Rankin, Director of Development Anne Russell, Family Services Liaison Gwyneth Thompson, Director of Finance Shauna Voss, Director of Operations
From left: staff model their new Fernwood NRG t-shirts; board hard at work in an early January visioning session; Anne Russell, Family Services Liason giving directions.
Fernwo o d N R G S p o n s o r s
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation The Province of British Columbia B.C. Housing Capital Regional District Regional Housing Trust Fund City of Victoria Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia Vancity Savings Credit Union Vancouver Foundation Coast Capital Savings Credit Union Queen Alexandra Foundation Ministry of Children and Family Development Community Economic Development Technical Assistance Program Enterprising Non-Profits program Dr. David Suzuki and Dr. Tara Cullis Toronto Dominion friends of the Environment Foundation Vancouver Island Health Authority The Victoria Foundation Public Health Agency of Canada Human Resources Development Canada Canada’s Action Plan for Children Success by Six Baja Grill Belfry Theatre Café Brio Ottavio’s Mo:le Thin Edge of the Wedge / Do forno Café Hernandez Ocean Refrigeration Coldstar Foods Victoria High School Earl Clarke House Sooke Harbour House Ellice Group of Companies (Ralmax Disposals) Van Isle Windows McLaren’s Lighting Panther Electric Paprika Restaurant Oak Bay Kiwannis Computer Access Program (Industry Canada) Edmonton Community Foundation United Way Provincial Employees Public Community Services Fund Magnum Plumbing S. Turning Sheet Metal Stantec Whiddich Environmental Services The Restore Lifecycles Discovery Coffee Marianne Unger of Mud Studio Dr. Mackenzie Brooks Dockside Green / Windmill developments Joe Leroy Bernie Gaudet Laurie Garcia Meredith Garde Collins and neighbourhood folks like you... Thanks to all the countless individuals who made contributions of money, time, labour and many other kinds of support!