Michael Poulin, President, welcomed members and guests.

Regrets were noted from the following:
Carol Bernhardson, Daina Maslach, Gary Munro, Lisa Schmidt, and Sean Andrew-Cotter.

Approval of the Agenda
Motion:
THAT the agenda be approved as printed.

M/S/C Ken Morrison; Rae Anne Honey

Approval of the Minutes
Motion:
THAT the minutes of the 2000 Annual General Meeting be accepted as printed in the 2001 Annual Report.

M/S/C Doug West; Rae Anne Honey

President's Report
Michael Poulin commented that once again it was a remarkable and memorable year for the Lakehead Social Planning Council. It has been a year of continued change and challenge for LSPC and the community we serve.
There are almost 80,000 registered charities in Canada and 10 new groups are being formed each week. The registered charities alone have revenues of $90.5 billion annually. In addition, one in every 11 jobs in this country is in the voluntary sector. Approximately, 7.5 million Canadians do formal volunteer work. Volunteers perform the equivalent of 578,000 full-time jobs. If you put a dollar value on this work, it would be worth more than $16 billion. (“A Call to Alms: The New Face on Charities in Canada” by Andrew Picard)

LSPC has been involved this year in initiatives, such as Healthy Aging, Diversity Thunder Bay, Homelessness Initiative, Volnet Fast Forward Thunder Bay among others.

Michael commended Brenda on her ability to bring a diverse group of people together. It is with both joy and sadness that we have learned about her retirement plans. He has personally learned a great deal working with her and stated his deep appreciation for her efforts, insights, and devotion to community development in Thunder Bay. “Gitch Meegwetch”. He also expressed gratitude to former board members, Peter Barnes and Julie Fels, for their contributions and existing board members, Gary Munro and Carol Bernhardson, who have fulfilled their maximum terms.

Michael thanked all the volunteers, Board members and staff for their dedication.

Executive Director's Report
Brenda Reimer introduced the staff: Marie Klassen, Program Manager CIRC; Bev Gamble, Administrative Assistant; Rosetta Brizzi, Clerk Typist; Keith Milne, CAP Coordinator; Shirley White, Admin Support for CAP; Lee Stones, Healthy Aging Coordinator and Prue Morton, CIRC Volunteer.

The theme of this year’s Annual General Meeting is “Celebrating Non Profits in Thunder Bay”. Much of the work of Lakehead Social Planning Council involved working with other organizations to carry out projects for the benefit of the community and its citizens. In other words, social capital formation.

All of these activities involve bonding strategies that build trust and cooperation among the individuals involved; bridging strategies that break down barriers across groups and communities and in some cases scaling-up strategies that connect communities in collective action for policy and systems change. (Report on Social Capital Formation is available at the office if anyone would like a copy).

Brenda stated that it has been a privilege to represent the LSPC on several community committees and to play a key role on committees such as Diversity Thunder Bay and Fast Forward Thunder Bay. The final report which was released in March of 2002 has received praise from members of the Aboriginal and multicultural communities and is being used to initiate discussions in many sectors of the community. She hopes that LSPC maintains a strong commitment to this work in the future

We continue to provide community information in response to telephone and walk-in enquires; to provide a free telephone and low cost photocopying and fax services at our front counter and serve as the drop off and pick up center for the free income tax service for low income people.

Christmas Fest was the best year in 2001 with new contacts, more publicity and wonderful support from the community. Other fundraising events included Tag Days, the sale of Balcony seats for the Pierre Schryer concert with the Thunder Bay Symphony; and a sometimes onerous schedule of three bingos per month.

A proposal was submitted to the Trillium Foundation for funds for a marketing/fundraising co-ordinator and an information technology co-ordinator for a three year period.

Brenda reinforced the Treasurer’s Report indicating that the deficit for the year was high and that new sources of income must6 be found to avoid future deficits.

Brenda has mixed feelings about retiring, but she looks forward to time for travel and exploring new options. Her heart will always be with the LSPC and the people who make it work in so many different ways.

Treasurer's Report
Written submission.

Auditor's Report
Doug Enstrom from the firm of Fukushima and Enstrom gave a detailed report of the Financial Statements.

Approval of the Audited Financial Statements
Motion:
THAT the Financial reports for 2001 be accepted as printed.
M/S/C Rae Anne Honey; Ken Morrison

Appointment of the Auditors for 2002
Motion:
THAT the firm of Fukushima and Enstrom be appointed auditors for 2002.
M/S/C Doug West; Ernie Flechner

Community Information and Referral Centre
An application in partnership with United Way, Inform Canada, has been approved and CIRC will have a significant role in the 211 initiative for Thunder Bay. We also plan to expand our fee for service operations to include training seminars in Community Information and Referral for other non profits. We are joining the Community Information Online Consortium – www.CIOC.ca - in order to expand the breadth of our Information and Referral services and access to other databases across Ontario.

Marie thanked the Board, Co-workers, CIRC advisory, and awesome volunteers for all their hard work.

Reports of Other Projects and Activities
Reports are written in the Annual Report.

Motion:
THAT the reports of other projects and activities be accepted as printed in the Annual Report.
M/S/C Rae Anne Honey; Jodi CarlsonReports of Executive Director Search
Carol Rusak gave the report on the search for an Executive Director. The community is working energetically, obtaining input from the community. A focus group has been formed with 13 Executive Directors participating from the Not For Profit organizations. We have contacted other Social Planning Councils. A selection committee is in place. Interviews to start April 25th.

Presentation of Third Annual Social Planning Awards
Carol Nicholson and Doug West presented the Third Annual Social Planning Award to Kevin Cleghorn, for his work in serving women living on a low income and persons with physical, mental challenges through the Family Law Office. . The Organizational Award went to Regional Multicultural Youth Council for their leadership in including youth and youth groups in finding solutions to problems facing today’s children and youth.

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR 2002
Doug West presented the following report on behalf of the Nominating Committee.

The Board of Directors of the LSPC is comprised of sixteen elected positions and one appointed position of Past President.

The following six people will not be required to run for election this year, as they are entering the second year of a two year term:
Jodi Carlson
Chris Loud
Kim McGibbon
Carol Nicholson
Michael (Poulin) Fox
Carol Rusak

The Nominating Committee presents the following names for your consideration; each nominee has agreed to stand for elections:

For a two year term: Sean Andrew-Cotter
Cheryl Balacko
Kristin Boyer
Ernie Flechner
Rae Anne Honey
Bruce McKillop
Keith Nymark
JoAnne Zamparo
For a one year term: Lisa Schmidt

For further information about the nominees, please refer to their attached biographies.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee wishes to thank both retiring Board members and those Board members who were unable to complete their terms:
Peter Barnes
Carol Bernhardson
Julie Fels
David Grouix
Faye Joyce
Gary Munro
Sharon-Dale Stone
Motion:
THAT the slate presented be elected to the Board.
M/S/C Doug West; Carol Rusak

Adjournment
Motion:
THAT the Annual Meeting be adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
M/S/C Rae Anne Honey; Carol Rusak