A fuller era ends, new ideas listed at United Way AGM held in Cornwall

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An era ended and an adjusted focus was revealed, when SDG’s United Way Centraide held its annual general meeting in Cornwall on Wednesday at lunchtime.

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Board President Craig Fuller, after six years in office, made his final speech in the role, the baton passed late in the meeting as the election of board members was made official. Fuller steps into the past chair, director Gerard McDonald takes over and begins by unveiling the organization’s strategic plan for 2024-2027.

“By 2027 we hope to have broken the stereotypes of poverty,” McDonald said of the pillars of the strategic direction for the next three years, which include raising awareness by tackling stigma and creating champions for change.

McDonald spoke about the pillars of philanthropic evolution, people power and empathy in action, and noted a shift in strategic foundations, and it was time to gently renew them. The organization described its mission as “improving lives and meeting the needs of our communities.”

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“We believe in accountability, trust, respect, engagement, collaboration and hope,” McDonald said of the espoused values.

Executive director Juliette Labossière, in her annual presentation for last year, noted that change was under way, a shift towards a focus on mental health, poverty, housing and hunger.

“The change we made last year is just the beginning,” Labossière said during a slide presentation that looked at newer programs like Project Stepping Stone, Last Resort and more that have invested $440,000 in various housing- related efforts.

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Labossière began her speech by discussing fundraising successes; she admitted that the most talked about was a new and very successful Over the Edge violence challenge in Cornwall town centre.

Labossière told the large gathering in the auditorium at the Ontario Power Generation Visitor Center that total revenue for 2023-24 was $1,559,243 and that 71 per cent was invested directly back into the community.

Community Investment Grants totaling more than $388,000 supported 16 programs for 13 agencies; The Community Services Recovery Fund had eight organizations benefiting a total of $315,000.

Two youth directors, Siri Neville and Victoria Brouillet, were commended for managing $17,000 in funds, the Youth Investing in Community Grants program, which had projects supported by nine youth, including funding for the Char- Lan Skating Club, Cornwall Cares Youth-led Pantry Collegiate and Vocational School and Gala des bénévoles at École secondaire catholique La Citadelle.

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“I hope next year’s youth directors can continue to launch this project with great success,” said Neville, stepping down as he attends McGill University in Montreal in the fall.

Brouillet, also resigning, will attend the University of Ottawa; new youth directors announced Wednesday are Olivia Soares, Leland Selwood and Jacob Pilon.

Other board changes for next year have Vice President Scott Szabadka moving from Vice President to Director, Chantal Gilmour from Director to Vice President, Kris McCarthy moving from Director to Secretary. Heather Megill returns as Labor Representative and Wendy McDonald returns as Treasurer.

Other returning directors are Chantal Bakker, Binal Bhavsar, Shannon Ferguson and Mel Merpaw.

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Annual presentation of awards included the Lew Stanley Memorial Award for Outstanding Support of the United Way, with this year’s recipient being Bobbi Latour, for what Labossière said were her outstanding efforts on many projects, her skills and outsider approaches.

The salary award was given to St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp., the business award was presented to the Kinsmen Club of Cornwall, and board president Fuller received the board award.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth and success,” Fuller said at the start of the meeting, noting the organization now has three full-time and two part-time employees.

Fuller said that in 2018, United Way’s budget was $650,000 and now it is $1.5 million.

“But the team isn’t just about spending money, it’s about making a meaningful difference in the community,” Fuller said.

A new community impact award has been launched for Diversity Cornwall.

The audited financial report was presented by Paul Desnoyers, partner and business advisor at MNP’s assurance and accountancy group in Cornwall.

“Overall, the organization is in excellent financial health,” Desnoyers said.

He said there was a big increase in revenue from 2022 to 2023 – going from $955,000 to more than $1.5 million, with donor support including the Last Resort Program a key factor in the increase.

Expenditure was just over $1,534,000, for a small surplus of about $25,000.

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