BOARD CHAIR REPORT Welcome to the Skills Society 2021-2022 AGM Report
A Second Year Dominated by the COVID Worldwide Pandemic For the second straight year, people supported by the Skills Society, their families, allies and the Skills Society team (employees and board) lived and worked within the evolving context of the COVID pandemic. Vaccines were introduced, public health restrictions and measures were implemented, later relaxed, then reinstated as hospitalizations and deaths spiked again. This rapidly evolving context created unique challenges for the entire Skills family. Keeping the people we support and our staff team as safe as possible was an unrelenting challenge during this tumultuous year. The Skills board wishes to convey our deep and heartfelt thanks to the people we support, their families and allies, and our dedicated staff team for all your hard work and sacrifice during another difficult year. Skills Society – A Community of Common Care During the last two years, deep cracks revealed themselves in Canada and in many other nations around the world. Even public health measures as simple as masking and social distancing became seen as significant infringements on personal freedoms. Making matters worse, public health measures became politicized between left and right leaning citizens. The air was toxic with angry division and protest. Our civic duty of common care for each other seemed to evaporate in significant proportions. I and many others felt heartsick as we witnessed the erosion of our social contract to look out for one another. During the difficult and troubled times of the last two years, the Skills Society remained firmly committed to our duty of common care. Individuals, their families and our staff team sacrificed many personal comforts, inconveniences and freedoms to ensure the safety and well being of our entire family. It was our privilege to do so.
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While COVID numbers are declining, public health officials warn us that the pandemic is not over and that spikes in case numbers will rise again as the seasons change and as new variants evolve in our communities. Be assured the Skills Society will continue our commitment to our value of common care. Service Provider Accreditation Once every three years, the Skills Society must undergo an accreditation review in relation to a comprehensive set of rigorous service delivery standards. The accreditation review is undertaken by the Alberta Council of Disability Services. I am pleased to report the Skills Society was accredited for the next three years and passed with 100% success. Thanks to all staff and board members who participated in the review process. Fund Development Most organizations in the not-for-profit sector invest volunteer and staff resources to raise funds to supplement funding provided by various orders of government. Last year, the Skills Society launched a fresh initiative to improve our fund development capacity. This year, a group of board members and staff built upon the work undertaken last year. This year was mainly focused on building a foundation of knowledge to support the development of a strategic plan for our next fiscal year. A consulting group has been retained to support the next phase of implementation. Thanks to board members Kate Gunn, Carmen Norris, Debbie Royer and Darcy McDonald. Thanks also to senior leaders Ben Weinlick and Rebecca Rubuliak. This year, the Skills Society improved our fund investment strategy by entering into a relationship with the Alberta Treasury Branch (ATB). ATB has a division whose sole
