This past year has been successful in that we have been able to meet the needs of some seniors in our community. We have run our current programs, trained new volunteers and are in the process of producing a new directory. We are very grateful to donors and organizations that have made this financially possible for us for the year 2009 to 2010.
It is been hard to loose two very important Board members this past year. Deanna Stratford, a past president and Barbara Harwood, Vice-President have, for personal reasons, left the Board. We thank both of them for their long-term commitment and recognize each of them as very caring and skilled people. We miss them and wish them well in the future.
The current financial reality of not for profit organizations is one of uncertainty and change. Funding for programs such as ours has been dramatically reduced. The winds of change are blowing and we need to change the direction of our sails! With this in mind the Board has been meeting and we are working in looking at our options and possibilities. This is a very tight economic time for us; we can also see the exciting possibilities that change will bring. We are planning for a sustainable and transforming future. Securing funding for this will be a real challenge to us as an organization. We will apply ourselves to this with all diligence.
I want to thank members of the Board who have been very supportive of me this past year. Each of them has been very supportive as we face an unknown future. I have appreciated their humor, willingness to face uncertain times and still come up supporting seniors in our community by volunteering many hours of service!
We all appreciate the support of our Executive Director, Jane Sheaff. It has also been a challenging year for Jane as she has been searching and researching financial options. Changes affect every person in the organizations but nowhere is it felt more than in the work of an executive director. A great big thank you to Jane for her commitment to the work of Seniors Serving Seniors.
I have grateful our many volunteers. Without your committed caring we would not exist. The every day lives of many seniors have had their days brightened by your presence. It is my hope that your lives are enriched by this service to others.
A quote from Ingrid Berman goes like this “ I’ve never sought success in order to get fame and money, it’s the talent and passion that count in success”. As President, I thank you for sharing your talents and passion in volunteering with Seniors Serving Seniors.
