National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Toronto Section

Annual Report

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada,
Toronto Section
ANNUAL REPORT
2010 – 2011

Click here to display or download entire Report...

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

For Toronto Section, the year 2010-11 was an exciting and busy one. It was a year in which new initiatives were undertaken and established programs and services expanded or strengthened. It was one in which so many individuals contributed both time and resources to ensure that Council continued to make a difference in the lives of those with whom it connected and within the community in which it functions.

Ever mindful of both Council’s Mission Statement and its responsibility to its members, the Executive continued to both seek out and respond to those in need in the Jewish community and beyond. It was also ever mindful of our existing programs and was constantly concerned about making them stronger, more effective and/or more appealing all the while understanding that though people, their needs, feelings and dreams may not have changed, the how, when, where and what of responding to them has indeed changed. With that understanding the Executive appreciated that in some instances Council and its members would assume a ‘hands on’ role, but increasingly in others our role would be as a catalyst, a facilitator, a critical cog or a partner. Individually and collectively, our experience, our expertise, our history and our connections are becoming increasingly important in both our present circumstances and future considerations. Both demographics and social structure are demanding that our modus operandi change in terms of communication, timing and commitments. The Executive has responded to those demands.

In keeping with strategic planning considerations established in prior years, Toronto Section now has as part of its management team an Executive Director. Shira Lester-Cohen joined Toronto Section in July 2010.  Her role and responsibilities include leadership as well as ongoing management and administration. Her presence has been a welcome addition. The Executive and committee chairs are appreciative of the responsibilities she has shouldered and her contributions.

Fundraising is not Council’s ‘raison d’etre’. Many, if not most of us, joined Council because of its commitment to service and social action to and for the community and for its education and social opportunities. However, neither Toronto Section’s office nor its services or programs can operate without funds. Fundraising therefore is a critical activity within ‘Section’ and must be taken seriously.  However cost conscious and cost effective we are, it becomes incumbent on us all to ensure that all fundraising efforts and initiatives are successful whether it is an appeal to us as individuals, branch fundraising events or a Section sponsored program. 

Our dues together with branch fundraising, a hugely successful Donor Campaign and a “To Life’ fundraiser were critical to fulfilling this year’s program and service commitments. A very heartfelt thank you is extended to all those who organized fundraising events and to all those who responded so generously to their efforts. Your timely and unconditional support financial and otherwise is gratefully appreciated.

I also draw your attention to and acknowledge money received from Mazon Canada and the Metro Toronto Community Services Grant program. That money is directed to the specific programs for which they are approved. Efforts are being made to secure additional grant money to allow us to pursue new initiatives and undertake specific expansions to existing programs and services.

Programming and Education remain a cornerstone of life at both Section and Branch levels. In keeping with our mandate to meet the needs and interests of the community’ special health issue oriented symposiums on such topics as vision loss, have and will continue to be offered.  To meet the demand for daytime programming, an afternoon series with Doug Purdon on select artists, their lives and works, was offered again this year. Book reviews and special programs organized by various branches rounded out evening programs at the Section level. Branches continue to search for new and interesting speakers for their meetings, hopefully at reasonable costs as well as welcoming back their favourite standbys. In response to a recommendation by branch program chairs, a review and update of our “Speakers Registry Book” undertaken this past year is almost complete. Just as Branches attempt to balance the timing, costs and location of their meetings and programs, so too Toronto Section continues to balance day and evening programming as well as subject matter and costs. In this regard every effort is and will be made to work together to complement and reinforce each other.

A new initiative has seen Toronto Section partnering with the Trillium Gift of Life Network to increase organ and tissue donations within the Jewish and general communities. Through education and awareness, we hope to dispel myths and misconceptions about organ and tissue donation as well as instil the importance and critical need of such a commitment.

Our service projects (detailed later in the report) are the backbone of NCJWC-TS and represent that for which Council has always and still stands. They are varied, engaging and have a tremendous positive impact. Every effort is made to ensure that each has sufficient resources to expand and become more effective.  When needs change initiatives are taken to accommodate the change that is demanded. Likewise, every effort is made to keep abreast of new opportunities to make appropriate use of Council’s resources. Adapting the ‘Books For Kids’ programs initiated by both the Vancouver and Winnipeg Sections, Toronto Section as a pilot project provided the funding for an After 3:30 Program for students at risk. Toronto Section underwrote the costs of both a facilitator and the books. Preliminary evaluations suggest it was an extraordinarily successful program and worthy of our continued support. 

For the 28th year Toronto Section again spearheaded and coordinated the Passover Food Drive. This community wide project is Toronto Section’s largest volunteer effort. With support from several Jewish organizations, a small number of corporate donors and tremendous support from individuals and schools in the community, Council ensured that sufficient non-perishable food was secured to pack approximately 3000 boxes which were then delivered to individuals and families in need. 

In November 2010, Toronto hosted the 34th Triennial Convention of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada. Delegates from Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto gathered to review past activities and chart ‘National’s’ future course. Two Torontonians were amongst the officers installed,   Monika Simon was installed as a National Vice-President and Debbie Wasserman as National Treasurer. The National Board agreed that the distribution of administrative responsibilities amongst the Sections was working well and that it should continue. The National organization and its constituent Sections also reaffirmed their support of ALUMA (Israel Family Counselling Association).

Council House remains critical to many of Toronto Section’s activities and it is beginning to play an increasingly pivotal role in branch activities and meetings. We can accommodate Senior Lunch and Learn Programs, undertake the Passover Food Drive and the Drive for Dreidels, host Section, Branch, project, committee and program meetings as well as quilting groups, mah jongg players. Rental of part of the building, also provides us with an income which covers a significant portion of our operating expenses.  A capital fund has been established and annual contributions are made to cover major capital repairs and future capital considerations.

Toronto Section’s programs, projects, services and even Council House are exemplary and in so many instances make a significant difference in many lives.  All would be for naught however, without Council volunteers and its staff. The time, resources, initiative care and concern they put forth is what Council is all about and what has made it such an enduring and worthwhile organization.

My sincere thanks to all those who have made 2010-11 such a successful year:-  to all of our members for their continued support and commitment, to the branch chairs and their executives for their efforts on behalf of their branches and Toronto Section  and to our Executive and Board for all their work, time, initiative and thoughtfulness.  Critical to all of Council’s “carryings on” is our staff. To them personally and on behalf of all of Toronto Section, I extend a very big THANK YOU for their patience, consideration and kindness always. 

Respectfully submitted by,
Paula Frisch
President

Click here to display or download entire Report...