when people gather, collaboration happens!

$47 million – combined operating budgets32,461 – clients served 349 – full-time staff265 – part-time staff544 – volunteers33,700 – volunteer hours31 – service sites

YOUR TOGETHER09 HOSTS:

when people gather ...Dear Fellow Community Member:

When people gather, exciting things can happen. Over coffee, lunch, or at an

AGM ideas and dreams can quickly take hold. When people gather, it is easier to

think about what could be. When people gather, collaboration naturally happens.

Our five organizations are on a quest to understand what collaboration really

means. together09 is an important step on this journey. We have cooperated on

this AGM as a practical demonstration of what we think it could look like. Thank you

for being a part of this ground-breaking event.

We are excited about this journey because of the promise it holds. We want to

show how strong and unified the community service sector in Wellington, Guelph

and Dufferin has become. together09 has been an opportunity for us to partner

outside of the day-to-day services that we deliver. It is a chance to gather with you

and talk about how we can strengthen our communities.

Our desire to work closer is not just an exercise in teamwork. The need to

collaborate is urgent. For all the success we have as a community, we are still seeing

the needs of community members grow. As individual organizations we struggle

with how to meet these growing and complex needs, often with less. We want to

provide better, more coordinated services to those we serve but cannot do so alone.

Gathering together – collaborating – we hope to make more impact.

Our keynote speaker, Mr. Paul Born, will share examples from other communities

where collaboration has resulted in new and exciting things. This is the type of

‘community conversation’ we hope to start. Paul will encourage us to think about

how we — our agencies, other community groups, government, business and you —

can work together. We are pleased that Paul can join us this evening and are thankful

to our sponsors for making it possible.

This collaborative effort has been a passion for many. A special thank you to our

fellow board members and our amazing staff and volunteers for their commitment

welcome!

to together09,

Guelph’s first

joint annual

general meeting

(and courage) to make this event happen. We are also very grateful to the team at

Pearl Street Community for their guidance, support and creative energy. They have

been instrumental in making our evening come to life.

We hope you enjoy together09. When it is over, we expect to be a little closer

to understanding the real meaning of collaboration. We are excited about where this

gathering could take us all.

Collaboratively yours,

• Ms. Kendra Pagnan, Chair, Family & Children’s Services

• Ms. Suzanne Longpre, Chair, Family Counselling and Support Services

• Mr. Sylvain Painchaud, Chair, Guelph Community Health Centre

• Ms. Cyndi Seifried, Chair, Trellis Mental Health and Development Services

• Mr. Doug MacMillan, Chair, Volunteer Centre of Guelph/Wellington

today’s meetings4:00–6:00 pm Business Meetings

Trellis Mental Health and Developmental Services 4:00 pm Room 107

Family Counselling and Support Services 4:00 pm Room 108

Volunteer Centre of Guelph/Wellington 4:30 pm Room 105

Family and Children’s Services 4:45 pm Room 102

Guelph Community Health Centre 4:45 pm Room 109

5:00–6:00 pm Networking Reception main foyer

6:00–8:15 pm Community Awards & Keynote Speaker auditorium

Decaf coffee, assorted teas and cool beverages will be available

in the foyer beginning at 4:30 pm.

p.s. —It doesn’t end here. It

starts. We hope you

will join our quest to

have a “community

conversation” about

collaboration. We want

to hear your thoughts,

ideas and inspirations.

Share your story, dreams

or frustrations on

community collaboration

at www.together09.

pearlstreet.ca.

community

community awardsAlumni Award, Family & Children’s Services: Stefanie ElseyThis is the first year for this award (established by a group of F&CS Alumni). The Alumni Award will annually recognize the efforts of youth and parents benefiting from F&CS services. The goal is to offer support and encouragement to individuals not traditionally recognized through award programs.

Award of Merit, Family & Children’s Services: Wyndham House– for their work in establishing the youth shelter in GuelphThe Award of Merit is presented to an organization or individual who has made a significant contribution to the well-being of children and families in our community.

Clark Grants, Family & Children’s Services: Renate Sorgente These grants are made through the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies. They are awarded to deserving 16 and 17-year-olds in care, who are attending school and using the funds to support their education. Grants are provided from a generous donation from Ron and Nancy Clark of Caledonia.

High School Awards, Family & Children’s Services: Tyler Berry, Tommy Collins, Alana Dedman, Bradley Kolomeitz, and Renate Sorgente Graduating from high school is a significant accomplishment. Every year F&CS presents a financial award to graduating youth in foster care.

Promoli Financial Scholarship Award, Family & Children’s Services: Tyler Berry Provided by The Children’s Foundation, this scholarship is for a child in care who has developed future goals and aspirations in the face of difficult circumstances. It can be used for university, college, technical or professional education or training.

2009 Dr. William Winegard Exemplary Volunteer Involvement Awards, Volunteer CentreThis award program is a partnership between the University of Guelph, the United Way of Guelph & Wellington and the Volunteer Centre of Guelph/Wellington. Created in 2007 to highlight volunteerism in the University community, this award program recognizes a faculty, staff and student who significantly contribute to Guelph and Wellington County.Congratulations to: Director of Student Housing Services, Irene Thompson; Biology and Environmental Studies student, Arthur Churchyard; and Acting Associate Chief Librarian, Janet Kaufman. Winners were presented with original art work created by a University of Guelph student at a special reception held at the Macdonald Steward Art Gallery in April.

together09 is a celebration of the families, children and individuals that our agencies work with and support. Tonight’s awards acknowledge the impact of the collaboration among the staff, volunteers, directors and clients of our organizations.

2009 Wellington County Volunteer Appreciation Awards, Volunteer CentreThis county-wide awards program recognizes and honours the significant contributions of individuals who devote their volunteer time and effort to the continuous development of local community benefit and charitable organizations. A recipient is chosen representing each township in Wellington County. This program is a partnership with the County of Wellington and the Volunteer Centre of Guelph/Wellington.Congratulations to: Carol Kirby, Township of Centre Wellington; Mary Schmidt, Township of Wellington North; Cathy Kelly, Township of Guelph/Eramosa; Audrey Mast, Township of Puslinch; Ron Ellis, Township of Mapleton; Norgan Theatre Volunteers, Town of Minto; and Jay Peacock, Town of Erin.

The Kim Scinocca Award, Family Counselling and Support Services: Dawn Douglas Each year, this award is presented to an individual with developmental disabilities who has displayed significant achievements in one or more of the following areas; work, community volunteerism, education, advocacy and/or personal growth.

The 2009 Fran Steinlin Award for Community Action, Guelph Community Health Centre: New Life Church This is a new annual award of the Guelph Community Health Centre. It will celebrate the contributions of individuals and/or organizations that have enhanced the quality of life for individuals facing barriers to good health. Nominees will have:• Used their understanding of the social determinants of health to make an impact, or• Took action by developing a program, providing direct assistance and education, or• Served as an inspiration to others through their outreach to individuals and communities.Congratulations to New Life Church! This generous organization has provided space for the Garden Fresh Box (GFB) program for almost 10 years. They planned for expanded space for GFB into a recent renovation on their building. They donate boxes to those in need and have hosted the Parent Child Place program since 2004.

Volunteer of the Year, Trellis Mental Health and Development Services: Heather Mayes The winning volunteer must have served in the agency for at least one year and/or has provided at least 75 hours of support. Volunteer must show a particularly high level of commitment to their role.

Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County is a caring network of

staff, volunteers, foster and adopting families. Together F&CS is committed to protecting children

and supporting families in our community. We employ more than 150 staff as front line workers,

administrative staff, and community development workers. Our team of professionals handles more

than 3,000 referrals a year. Our staff and volunteers annually provide care for 300 children and place

up to 30 children into permanent new homes through adoption. www.fcsgw.org

Family Counselling and Support Services for Guelph-Wellington provides affordable and

professional counselling and support services for individuals, couples and families. We have been

Guelph’s primary, non-profit, community-based counselling educational and support centre since

1987, serving over 25,000 individuals since then. Our professionally trained and staff help those

experiencing personal, relationship, parenting, and financial difficulties. We also provide case

management services to persons with developmental disabilities. www.familyserviceguelph.on.ca

Guelph Community Health Centre works with the community to provide access to health

programs and services that improve their well-being. Guelph CHC meets the needs of families with

young children, and those who may find it hard to access health care. Guelph CHC is particularly

focused on assisting people who are new to Canada or who face challenges such as low income,

unemployment, isolation, homelessness and physical or mental disabilities. Our Early Years Centre

serves children from birth to six years and their parents and caregivers. Our programs provide a range

of community supports including postpartum depression counselling, breastfeeding support, parent

education, a garden fresh box and exercise classes. www.guelphchc.ca

Trellis Mental Health and Developmental Services is a client driven organization committed

to helping individuals and families facing mental illness and developmental challenges. Our team of

compassionate staff and volunteers are dedicated to helping clients live life to the fullest. Trellis has

programs specific for infants and young children, youth, adults, and seniors. Our programs support

all aspects of mental health and developmental issues, including depression, anxiety disorders,

schizophrenia, paranoia, obsessive-compulsive habits, eating disorders, psychosis and specialized

geriatric services. www.trellis.on.ca

The Volunteer Centre of Guelph/Wellington strengthens our communities through

volunteerism and access to community information. We register, train and facilitate volunteers for

community organizations across Guelph and Wellington County. We operate Community Information

Guelph, a program which provides information about non-profit agencies, community supports and

services, government services and other local organizations. We also run a training and consultation

service including board governance, non-profit management and volunteer management. We share

our resource library of over 500 books, periodicals, reports and videos with all members of the

community. www.volunteerguelphwellington.on.ca

the collaborators

sponsors We are grateful for the in-kind and financial support of our sponsors.

Their generosity has made today possible.

keynote speaker PAUL BORNIn 2002, Paul Born co-founded Tamarack – An Institute for Community Engagement

with Alan Broadbent of Avana Capital Corp. Paul is now Director of Tamarack.

Paul was the Executive Director and founder of the Community Opportunities

Development Association (CODA) for 12 years. CODA is now known as Lutherwood and is

one of Canada’s most successful community economic development organizations. Paul was

also involved in Opportunities 2000, a millennium campaign to reduce poverty in Waterloo

Region to the lowest in Canada. This project was recognized by the United Nations “Top 40

Projects Worldwide” in 1998.

Paul holds a masters degree in leadership, and is often invited to contribute to

learning events as a keynote speaker, trainer, and facilitator. He is an expert on community

collaboration and engagement, innovation, and social change.

Paul will be speaking to us this evening about his book, Community Conversations.

Full of informative and inspiring examples of collaboration, Community Conversations

captures the essence of creating conversations and offers ten practical techniques to

collaborate. Something we are very interested in! We are fortunate to hear some of these

stories and ideas first hand from Paul.

Learn more at tamarackcommunity.ca

when people gather, collaboration happens!

Thank you for joining us today! We are excited to have you be

a part of our collaborative journey. It doesn’t end here. In fact, it is just starting. We

hope you will join our quest to have a ‘community conversation’ about collaboration.

We want to hear your thoughts, ideas and inspirations. Share your story, dreams or

frustrations on community collaboration at www.together09.pearlstreet.ca.

If you are looking for ways to support community collaboration, here are things that

you, your family and your employer can consider doing:

• Volunteer your time

• Donate your money

• Join a board

• Encourage your company or employer to provide products

and services at or below cost

• Visit together09.pearlstreet.ca and tell us what

collaboration means to you

The team from Pearl Street Community has very generously shared their time,

skills and energy in support of today’s meetings. As professional communicators, Pearl

Street has been walking along side our group since we started thinking about this

event, well before we even had a name! They have been a vital part of our planning

team and have joined forces with us to help tell the together09

story. Each of our agencies is grateful for their support, time and

leadership. You can learn more about this fun and enthusiastic team

at www.pearlstreet.ca. community

www.together09.pearlstreet.caPrinted on Rolland Enviro 100100% post-consumer recycled paper