Winter/Spring 2012 - Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

MS Toronto
Newsletter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Toronto Chapter
Spring 2012/Summer 2012 Published Quarterly
Annual Report Issue: 2011 an outstanding year for the chapter
The Toronto Chapter had an outstanding
year in 2011, thanks in large part to
our funders.
The Leslois Shaw Foundation provided a
$50,000 grant, which supported several
initiatives including a membership
survey, an educational conference and a
wheelchair ballroom dance class. Also,
because of this grant, the chapter was able
to have a 2011 special circumstances fund,
which provided such items as emergency
transportation, an emergency response
pendant for a vulnerable individual and
bedbug eradication.
The second year of a two-year Paloma
Foundation grant, along with a small
portion from the Leslois Shaw Foundation
grant, provided a subsidy to 38
children who have a parent with MS for
participation in recreational activities.
The United Way Toronto provides the
Toronto Chapter with an annual grant
of $139,000, as well as additional
targeted donations through its workplace
campaign. In 2011, the Toronto Chapter
received a boost of $3700 as United Way
Toronto allocated extra funds across
member agencies.
Thank you to those who contributed
through our Commemorative Giving
program. Donations were made to
remember loved ones as well as given as
gifts for weddings, birthdays and more.
Our largest funder is MS Society, Ontario
Division, which provides the chapter with
an operating grant. The division executes all
local fundraising while the chapter focuses
on the delivery of client services.
Members of the board and staff worked on
many priorities in 2011. The board dealt
with signifi cant issues in the latter half of
last year. Facing a tough economy means
there has been some restructuring of the
staffi ng composition of the chapter. As
well, the MS Society of Canada launched
the Renewal Initiative across the country,
which will examine all aspects of the MS
Society nationally for effectiveness and
effi ciency. The society is also examining
it’s membership processes. Updates on
these initiatives will be communicated
when they are available.
Another highlight from 2011 includes,
as a result of the work of two task
forces comprised of board and staff, the
completion of two major goals. The fi rst
is a Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which
is the fi rst of its kind across all chapters.
The second initiative was Snapshot 2011,
a member questionnaire that allowed the
chapter to develop a demographic profi le
of members, which will inform the work of
the chapter going forward.
Janice Wiggins
Executive Director
Sean Foran
Chair

MS Toronto – 2
2011 Financial Statements
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Toronto Chapter, Statement of Financial Position
(Unaudited)
As at December 31, 2011
2011 $ 2010 $
Assets
Current Assets
Cash 170 299 307 574
Accounts receivable 3 032 4 365
Receivable from other MS Society offices 139 886 38 563
Capital assets 3 988 4 956
Liabilities
Current liabilities
317 205 355 458
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 10 767 4 090
Payable to other MS Society offices 40 835 38 826
Deferred revenue 5 207 51 500
Net assets
56 809 94 416
Unrestricted 260 396 261 042
317 205 355 458
Approved by the Toronto Chapter board of directors.
Toronto Chapter Staff
Janice Wiggins
Executive Director
416-967-3010
janice.wiggins@mssociety.ca
Lynn Laccohee
Manager, Client Services
416-967-3032
lynn.laccohee@mssociety.ca
Angela Rodriguez
Manager, Education
416-967-3034
angela.rodriguez@mssociety.ca
Julie Crljen
Manager, Communications
416-967-3046
julie.crljen@mssociety.ca

2011 Financial Statements
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Toronto Chapter, Statement of Revenue and
Expenditures and Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2011
2011 $ 2010 $
Revenue
Allocation from United Way
Allocation from United Way - Donor's Choice
142 700 138 996
Unrestricted 120 753 157 477
Restricted for research 0 769
Fundraising
Individual giving and major gifts
7 495 6 009
Unrestricted 78 416 53 733
Restricted for research 8 001 11 814
Grants 59 793 7 500
Membership dues 9 094 10 690
Investment income 7 614 10 789
Miscellaneous 1 325 2 720
435 191 400 497
MS Society, Ontario Division grant 366 768 336 204
801 959 736 701
Less: Contribution to Ontario programs & services (26 383) (24 317)
Expenditures
Program services
775 576 712 384
Client services 471 890 424 916
Public education 148 413 132 284
Volunteer resources 77 279 60 899
Social action 41 160 33 540
Contributions to National for research 8 001 12 583
Support Services
746 743 664 222
Administration 29 479 26 691
776 222 690 913
Excess (deficiency) of revenue expenditures for the year (646) 21 471
Unrestricted net assets - beginning of year 261 042 239 571
Unrestricted net assets - end of year 260 396 261 042
MS Toronto – 3
Providing air conditioners to Toronto Chapter members for
more than 15 years.
For your heating and cooling needs,call 416-703-0571.

MS Toronto – 4
Highlights from 2011: A review of the activities, acco
The chapter held events attended
in total by 484 individuals.
Educational workshops were
held on the following topics:
Neuroplasticity
MS 101 in Farsi
Eating for the Health of It
MS 101
Wellness Series
Beyond the Injectables
Members participated in
recreational series including
Wheelchair Ballroom Dancing
and Pilates
At the holiday party, chapter
member Sonja Veg (left)
shows off her wheelchair
ballroom dance moves she
learned in a workshop series
sponsored by the chapter
Dr. Heather
Hanwell speaks at
the AGM
Our 2011 Annual General
Meeting featured Dr. Heather
Hanwell speaking about
vitamin D research
Chapter volunteers were
recognized at a lunch on
National Volunteer Week
A holiday party was an
opportunity for members
to get together in a social
setting
The chapter provided educationa
opportunities for more than 13
groups including long-term care
facilities, universities and colleg
community groups, health care
professionals and companies tha
service people with disabilities
Events & Recreation Education & Displays Self-Hel
James Naudi, 2011 Volunteer of
the Year, is congratulated by
Executive Director Janice Wiggins
Seven act
groups m
including
group, the
Women’s G
The chapter held more tha
seven information displays
various settings including
corporate events, health
expos and MS Society
fundraising events

MS Toronto – 5
mplishments and services of the Toronto Chapter
l
s,
t
ive self-help
t in 2011
a new self-help
Midtown
roup
in
The CHAT Room self-help
group
The chapter provided funding
assistance for home cleaning,
incontinence supplies and
mobility equipment 3232 times
during the year
The chapter replied to a
total of 844 requests for
supportive counselling,
information, referrals or
educational literature
A 2011 Special
Circumstances Fund
helped individuals with
needs outside the usual
scope of chapter
programs
The 2010-2011 Children’s
Leisure Activity Subsidy
Program distributed funds to
39 families in 2011
Snapshot 2011, a member
survey, was responded to by
29% of chapter members
The report from
Snapshot 2011, is available
on the website at
www.mssociety.ca/toronto
p Groups Services Funding Programs Special Events
Participants learn about
services and products
from vendors at the exhibit
hall at Making Strides by
Taking Charge 2011
Member conference
Making Strides by Taking
Charge (MSTC) was held
in November 2011
Dr. Karen Lee presents on
MS Society research programs as
the keynote speaker at Making
Strides by Taking Charge 2011

MS Toronto – 6
MS 101
MS 101 is a basic information session that addresses both the medical and psychosocial
aspects of MS. The Toronto Chapter’s next MS 101 session, for those who are newly
diagnosed and their friends and family, will take place on November 3.
If you are interested in November’s session, please register in one of the following ways:
www.mssociety.ca/toronto/events.htm
416-967-3035
torontoevents@mssociety.ca
Give a precious gift
Save the date
Living with
progressive
multiple
sclerosis
November 17, 2012
Details TBA
Celebrate a milestone or
remember a special life
through the
Toronto Chapter’s
Commemorative Giving
Program
416-967-3035
In Honour In Memoriam
Receive your MS Toronto
& fl yers by e-mail and
get the Toronto Chapter
e-mail bulletin.
Contact Julie at
julie.crljen@mssociety.ca.

Toronto Chapter Board of Directors 2012
Sara Azargive Krista Corbeil Scott Dunham
Sean Foran Jo-Anne Howe
Zirka Jakibchuk
Jack Maguire
Christine Nordal
Sandra Montague
Patricia McQuillan
Lia Messina
Rebecca Pang Katharina Wolff
What is the MS Society of Canada’s
Renewal Initiative?
The Renewal Initiative will impact how members interact
with the MS Society locally and nationally. Visit
www.mssociety.ca/en/community/mssc/renewal.htm for more
information. Members are encouraged to read Paper 3:
Renewal and send feedback through a survey at
www.surveymonkey.com/s/RenewalPhase3. Individuals
without Internet access who would like a printed copy of
the paper can contact Luba at 416-922-6065 ext.3025.
MS Toronto – 7
Programs and
Services
Education, information
& referral
Equipment loans &
equipment funding
Subsidies for Home
cleaning & incontinence
supplies
Supportive
counselling & selfhelp
groups
Recreation programs
Volunteer services
Social action &
advocacy
Offi ce Hours
Monday to Friday
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
We welcome drop-in
visitors, but contacting
the Toronto Chapter prior
to arriving may allow
staff to serve you better.

MS Toronto – 8
Snapshot 2011: The results are in
The Toronto Chapter of the MS Society of Canada
wants to share the results from Snapshot 2011, our
membership questionnaire. The chapter has created a
video presentation to provide a general overview of
results, as well as making the full report available online.
Some highlights include the following:
• 90% of respondents are diagnosed with MS
• 26% of respondents were not born in Canada
• 92% of respondents use at least one type of
supportive equipment
Why Snapshot 2011? Toronto Chapter board and staff
identifi ed the need for a baseline, demographic report
of chapter members. The tremendous response rate
from chapter members enabled the Toronto Chapter to
produce a comprehensive analysis, which can now be
shared in a couple of formats.
The Toronto Chapter is grateful to a private foundation
for providing an unrestricted educational grant, which
made Snapshot 2011 possible.
Visit the website at www.mssociety.ca/toronto for links
to the video and the report.
Questions, comments or feedback can be sent to
Janice Wiggins, executive director, by e-mail
janice.wiggins@mssociety.ca or direct line
416-967-3010.
Self-Help Groups
The Toronto Chapter is
affi liated with self-help
groups meeting in different
areas of the city. To fi nd the
group for you, contact Lynn
at 416-967-3032 or
lynn.laccohee@mssociety.ca,
or visit our information page
at www.mssociety.ca/
toronto/selfhelp.html.
MS Toronto
Chair: Sean Foran
Executive Director: Janice Wiggins
Editor: Julie Crljen
MS Toronto is published quarterly by the
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada,
Toronto Chapter. The contents may be
reprinted with customary credit. Your
submissions are welcomed. Please note
that we do not publish information about
alternative treatments, therapies and
natural remedies.
Forward these and any address
changes to:
700-175 Bloor St. E., North Tower
Toronto, ON M4W 3R8
Tel: 416-922-6065
Fax: 416-967-3044
Email: toronto@mssociety.ca
Website: www.mssociety.ca/toronto
MS Society of Canada Mission
To be a leader in finding a cure for
multiple sclerosis and enabling people
affected with MS to enhance their quality
of life.
Toronto Chapter Vision
To maximize the quality of life for
persons with MS and their support
network living in Toronto Chapter’s
geographic boundaries.
The opinions expressed in the articles are
those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect those of MS Toronto and of
the MS Society of Canada. Articles on
products and services are intended for
information only and are not meant to be
seen as endorsements.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of
Canada, Toronto Chapter, is a
United Way Agency.
Charitable Registration No.
107746174RR0001

Special Insert
Chapter Update
Thank you and good luck to Patricia Cole in her new role at the MS Society
Patricia Cole
For the support she has given to members, staff and board in
her 14 years at the chapter, the Toronto Chapter thanks
Patricia Cole.
Patricia’s role has shifted from managing the administration of the
Toronto Chapter to assisting with the fi nances of chapters across the
country in the fi nance department of the MS Society of Canada.
Toronto Chapter staff and board wish Patricia the best in continuing
her work for people living with MS and MS Society supporters.
Patricia fi rst came to the Toronto Chapter in July 1997 as an administrative
assistant before moving into her role as manager, administration.
Over 14 years, Patricia established the chapter’s Commemorative
Giving programs; processed donations, memberships and
receipts; and provided support to Toronto Chapter staff, board and
the executive director among her many responsibilities.
Please join the staff and board of the Toronto Chapter in thanking
Patricia for her service and wishing her continued success.
Chapter Update
A fond farewell to Nancy Torrance, manager, funding programs
After more than fi ve years of dedicated service, Nancy Torrance
left the MS Society of Canada in early May. Nancy was responsible
for working closely with clients, health care professionals and
vendors to ensure the needs of Toronto Chapter clients were met.
As part of a restructure, the funding programs previously administered
by the chapter have moved to the Ontario Division.
Nancy joined the MS Society in 2006 as equipment program coordinator
in the Ontario Division. In 2009, she moved into her current
role as manager, funding programs, at the Toronto Chapter.
But many clients of the chapter have known Nancy for even longer,
as she also worked at the Toronto Chapter from 1996 to 2001.
The Toronto Chapter is appreciative of Nancy’s hard work and wishes
Nancy the best in her future endeavours.
Nancy Torrance
Please see the staffi ng chart on the reverse of this page for the current staff directory.

Special Insert
Changes to MS Toronto schedule and membership process
The Toronto Chapter would like to
update members on changes to the
MS Toronto newsletter and membership
process, which were made both to be
fi nancially prudent and to improve upon
our methods in these areas.
MS Toronto will now be published
quarterly. The chapter also distributes an
e-mail bulletin; please e-mail
julie.crljen@mssociety.ca to sign up.
As a cost- and time-saving measure,
Current staff directory
For inquiries related to membership,
MS Toronto or the website or to sign
up for the e-mail bulletin.
For information & referral, supportive
counselling and self-help group
information
For information about educational
events or presentations, volunteering
or recreational programs
For questions about the operation
of the chapter or about the board of
directors or media inquiries
membership cards are no longer being
sent out when a membership is taken
out or renewed.
As tax receipts are intended for donations,
and the membership fee is not
a donation, it is not a receipted contribution.
All donations of more than
$15 will be automatically receipted.
Questions, concerns or feedback can
be directed to Janice Wiggins at
janice.wiggins@mssociety.ca or
416-967-3010.
Frequent inquiries are listed below. Call us at 416-922-6065 if
you need help to direct your call to the right staff member.
Julie Crljen
Manager, Communications
416-967-3046
julie.crljen@mssociety.ca
Lynn Laccohee
Manager, Client Services
416-967-3032
lynn.laccohee@mssociety.ca
Angela Rodriguez
Manager, Education
416-967-3034
angela.rodriguez@mssociety.ca
Janice Wiggins
Executive Director
416-967-3010
janice.wiggins@mssociety.ca
For funding programs including equipment, home cleaning, incontinence supplies and air
conditioners, contact Sanjay at 416-967-3033 or sanjay.moonsammy@mssociety.ca.