Opportunity Changes Everything

I am pleased to be able to provide my first message as the BGC Kawarthas Club President. I joined the Board last year as Vice-President and moved into the position as President this year. I have appreciated the guidance and support from former President Catherine Miller during this transition. The Board is full of dedicated individuals who give their time and energy to aid in the successful operation of the club.

I came to Kawartha Lakes in 2005 to fulfill the role of Chief of Police; it was at this time that I had my first introduction to the Boys and Girls Club organization. As a Police Chief and parent, I immediately saw the benefits of having such a positive, supportive, and safe environment for the youth in our community. I was able to see how, “Opportunity Changes Everything”. I have retired from policing and am currently theExecutive Director of Kawartha Haliburton Victim Services and continue to see how club involvement impacts the health and well-being of youth and families in our community. This has been a busy year for the club, and I would like to comment on a few key areas:

“$10 a Day Child Care”

Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System (CWELCC). This was an anticipated and welcomed program for families. What isn’t seen is the significant amount of work required by staff in understanding how to administer it, even as governments were sorting implementation. Staff did a great job keeping the Board updated while focused on ensuring families were communicated with, received reimbursement cheques asap and invoiced for the appropriate amounts during the 5 years of the plan.

Skatepark

Our skatepark was funded by two major capital grants, the specifics of which I’m sure will be commented on by others. What impressed me as a Board member was the realization of the decade old vision through to implementation. This project was approximately one million dollars and required significant management oversight/logistical support. We received thorough and timely updates on the finances and stages of construction. Very pleased to say that it was completed on time and on budget. This didn’t happen by chance. It happened because of committed and dedicated staff.

Strategic Planning

We are excited to have developed a new strategic plan that highlights five priorities to guide our focus and decision-making for the next five years. This aspirational plan is a road map for us to deepen and expand our life-changing impact in the years ahead. Our vision – All children and youth discover and achieve their dreams and grow up to be healthy, successful, and active participants in society – continues to resonate as we look to the future, we want to build in the Kawarthas and surrounding regions.

Our Club is a busy one. Beyond what everyone sees externally there is a professional, dedicated, and caring team of staff led by our Executive Director Amy Terrill. As a Board member, I have experienced and witnessed the organization in a different way. Their attention to detail in reviewing policies, updating by-laws, and following best practices with an overarching focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion…is impressive. We as a community are served well by BGC Kawarthas Staff and Boards. As President, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who plays a role in making BGC such an important part of our community.

Executive Director