Celebrating 55 Years 1959 - 2014

Governance by Big Ideas. That was one of the themes of a joint learning workshop for members of the boards of directors of Community Living - Central Huron and Kincardine in Goderich Oct. 21 conducted by consultant and former community living executive director, Tom Little of Oshawa.

“The better the ideas, the better the organization,” Little told the group. “Greater knowledge leads to better work.”

The one-day learning session navigated participants through the legislation that guides directors and boards in providing leadership, oversight of the work of the executive director, finance and compliance issues as well as managing the operations of the agency through its committee and meeting structure and decision-making policies. Fund raising and capital projects, he noted, also fall under the scope of the board’s role.

“Boards and agency employees make a huge contribution to the community and should be recognized,” Little said. “The complexities of operating non-profits means that boards often lack resources and need help. Being a board member in a non-profit world is a tough job.”

Directors are charged with many responsibilities in their roles as organizational stewards the group was told, and the burden of having responsibility for all aspects of the organization is not diminished by delegation.

The intent of the workshop was to familiarize directors with new new legislation that will govern the work of non-profit boards and provide some strategies to help the local board work in a more efficient manner.

“We’ re looking forward and want to position ourselves to look into the future,” CL-CH board chair Sharon Creighton

said. “We will organize ourselves differently and this session was a valuable first step.“The new legislation is maybe two years away but it will take a while to reposition ourselves relative to the new legislative demands. But we’re functioning very well right now.”

As the board positions itself to meet future needs and demands, Creighton said it will need to develop a strategic plan.

Welcome to: Team B: Sarath Ramadan and Sharon MartensTeam C: Leahanne MacKayTeam D: Shannon Lee, Carolyn Schuit and Callie Berry

Also, welcome back to Kristina VanDiepenbeek from her Parental Leave.

Farewell to: Farewell to Melanie Evans, Kelsey Johnston, Brenda Moore, and Shannon Last. Best of luck in your new endeavours.

Congratulations to: To Jessica Sluys and Kyle McNeil on their recent engagement!

Thank You: to everyone who contributed baked goods and donated to our Annual Alzheimer Coffee Break on Wednesday, October 7th.

Boards and employees make huge contributions to community

October 2015 Issue

Being a board member in a non-profit world is a tough job

Tom Little, of CMCS Consulting Services, Oshawa conducted a workshop for members of the CL-CH and Kincardine board of directors in Goderich Oct. 21.

Health & Safety Corner

Did You Know?

Welcome to new employees

A Wellness Day for Staff was held on September 15th, 2015. Guest presenters included: Jamie Stanley of Huron OPP - Distracted Driving simulation; membership with Costco; employee-wellness related information from LifeWorks / Ceridian and information from ManuLife. Positive comments were received. Thank you to Committee members, Brian Chambers, Loretta Boucher and

Bethany McRae for their efforts in arranging this day.

A Health & Safety Questionnaire was recently distributed to all Staff. Just a reminder participation is mandatory and your completed questionnaire must be returned to your Supervisor by Friday, October 23rd.

LifeWorks, the Agency’s EAP Program, provides confidential counselling, consultations, community referrals, multimedia resources and online access to hundreds of articles, self-assessments, blogs, podcasts, calculators and more. Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are provided at no additional cost to you and your dependents. Visit www.lifeworks.com for access to the following:

Blogs – Food & Fitness; Questions Parents Ask; Your Money; Work-Life

Online Toolkits – Planning Your Life After 50; Finding Your Path in Your 20s and 30s; Complete Will Kit; Financial Toolkit; Divorce Toolkit

Interactive Programs – Eating Well Telephonic Nutritional Conselling; Online Depression Centre; Online Stop Smoking Centre; Career Cruising; Naturopathic Services.

Podcast Series – Simplify Your Life; Bullying; Relationship Rescue; Managing Your Money; Caregiving; and Depression.

Community Living-Central Huron, 267 Suncoast Dr. East, Box 527, Goderich ON N7A 4C7 Ph: (519) 524-7362 Fax: (519) 524-1511 Email: clch@clch.ca

For more information, to make a donation, become a Volunteer or Member, please complete this section and return it to our office, address above.

I would like to become a Member, annual cost $5.00. I support the Agency’s policies, purposes and vision. Being a Member entitles me to receive a copy of the Agency’s quarterly Newsletter, information on upcoming events and activities, a copy of Community Living Ontario’s newsletter (www.communitylivingontario.ca) and be eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting.

I would like more information about Community Living-Central Huron and/or I would like information on becoming a Volunteer.

Enclosed is a donation in the amount of $ __________. Receipts will be issued for donations of $10.00 or more.

Membership Application Form (Please Print) Thank you for your support! Name & Address:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone No.: _____________________________ Date: _______________________

Email.: _____________________________________________

“People live in dignity and share in all aspects of living in their community.”

Enjoying a summer day at the duck pond in Stratford

Artistic talent on display at the annual bazaar and sale in December

Community Living Central Huron was instrumental in helping the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion launch a new Poppy Campaign fundraising strategy for 2015.

Goderich Legion Branch 109 is using a neighbourhood mail-out system this year in place of their annual door-to-door campaign normally conducted the weekend before Remembrance Day.

Under the new program, the Poppy, a universal symbol of remembrance, will be mailed out to local residents along with a return envelope and postage. Residents who wish to donate to the Poppy Campaign, can easily do so by placing a donation in the return envelope.

While the mail-out campaign is new to Goderich, it has proved to be a successful fundraising venture for many other Legions.

And with the able assistance of Community Living, more than 4,500 envelopes were stuffed at the Suncoast Drive administration

centre throughout the summer and prepared for posting by October 30. Look for the Poppy Campaign letter in your mailbox anytime after that date.

Branch 109 will continue to distribute poppies through donations boxes placed in various local businesses. Be generous and make a donation as all funds raised locally, stay within the community to assist with veterans’ needs and fund important youth activities such as Maitland Squadron Air Cadets and educational bursaries made available to students requiring financial assistance to pursue post secondary education.

The efforts of Community Living employees means that every household will receive a poppy. Return the postage-paid envelope with a donation and let’s help

our local veterans in a big way.

Remembrance Day services will be held at the Cenotaph in Courthouse Park on Wednesday, Nov. 11 beginning at 11 a.m.

After the first snowfall of the season, thoughts turn towards Christmas and Santa.

And Santa is going to be busy the weekend of Nov. 20-21.

The annual Community Living - Central Huron Christmas Party will be held at the White Carnation in Holmesville, Friday, Nov. 20 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. A buffet lunch will be served at 9 p.m. and guests will be entertained by the musical offerings of DJ Shawn Thompson.

Transportation is available to individuals receiving support, if needed. A bus will pick up and return those needing a ride from their home and designated locations. Call the administration office by Nov. 5 to confirm attendance and transportation needs.

Another popular community event, the annual Santa Claus Parade will be held the following day, Saturday Nov. 21 at 7:15 p.m. on Courthouse Square. Floats, bands and, of course, Santa will form the highlights of the annual pre-Christmas celebration.

Tinsel, toys and traditions is the theme of this year’s parade.

Country Christmas Craft Show

If you’re looking for Christmas gifts, the annual Christmas Country Craft Show at GDCI Saturday, Nov. 7 is the place to go for one-stop shopping. Sponsored by OSAID and GDCI, the show and sale will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Over 90 vendors will be available and admission is $3.

The parking lot at Community Living Central Huron’s administration facility on Suncoast Drive in Goderich is brand new and smooth.

The resurfacing work on the main parking lot was completed in late September by Lavis Contracting of Clinton, the successful bidders on the job tender.

Completion of the resurfacing project means that people with mobility issues and seniors would be more able to partake of social activities and community events at the Community Living facility.

The project moved up in priority when a $25,000 grant was secured earlier this year through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). Huron-Bruce PC MP Ben Lobb made the cheque presentation in Goderich in March 2015 to allow the project to move forward in the calendar year.

The improved conditions of the parking lot mean easier access to the centre for people with mobility issues and many of the seniors who volunteer with the organization will have easier access.

“Repairing the parking lot creates better access and increases the safety for everyone,” Rosemary Foran, Community Living Executive Director, said.

The resurfacing projects means safer conditions for seniors who volunteer and assist with programs and activities in support of those with intellectual disabilities

One of the main fundraisers for Community Living - Central Huron, the annual Goderich and District Golf Classic, is gearing up for its tenth anniversary next June.

Over the history of the tournament, about $185,000 has been raised, providing meaningful in-home support, services and day programs for more than 100 adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in the Goderich and Clinton area.

Next year’s tournament, set for June 16 and 17, promises to be the best yet and proceeds will boost the tournament proceeds to over $200,000 over its ten-year history, a major accomplishment for chairman, Tom Morris and a large group of sponsors, donors and volunteers across the community.

The tournament will be held at Sunset Golf Club.

Community Living plays a big role in new Legion Poppy Campaign

Christmas party, parade highlight the November schedule for CL-CH

Smooth parking lot provides safer access to admin building

Tenth charity golf event will be biggest and best yet

The Community Living - Central Huron administration building on Suncoast Drive was ablaze in colour earlier this year for the annual Gerbera Daisy sale in May. Organized by individuals involved with the employment support program, the daisies are sold at various locations around Goderich and Clinton and at the

Suncoast Drive facility as a major fundraising initiative during Community Living Month

The newly-paved parking lot at the CL-CH administration building on Suncoast Drive will provide easier access for seniors and people with mobility

issues and provide volunteers with safer conditions.

New neighbourhood mail-out system lunched by Branch 109 this year

New date set for annual Christmas Party in Holmesville