Living + Magazine Issue 1 - Positive Living BC
Living + Magazine Issue 1 - Positive Living BC
Living + Magazine Issue 1 - Positive Living BC
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INTERNAL EXCHANGE<br />
FINANCE COMMITTEE<br />
<strong>BC</strong>PWA finances stable<br />
The Finance Standing Committee<br />
is responsible for overseeing the<br />
ongoing financial affairs of the<br />
Society; drafting, presenting and<br />
revising the Society’s annual<br />
budget; reviewing and making<br />
recommendations on the monthly<br />
financial statements; and reviewing<br />
the annual audited financial<br />
statements.<br />
The Society has faced<br />
many financial challenges.<br />
We have seen substantial<br />
cuts to our funding by the<br />
City of Vancouver, (who no<br />
longer fund us at all), and<br />
the Federal Government<br />
through the AIDS Community<br />
Action Program (ACAP). This is<br />
at a time when the demand on<br />
services is ever increasing: we have<br />
seen our membership go from<br />
1800 four years ago, to more than<br />
4000 today. If it were not for the<br />
commitment, dedication, and<br />
contribution of our volunteers<br />
and “unusually small” staff, who,<br />
with determination, continue<br />
much needed programs and services<br />
despite growing demands and<br />
shrinking funding. I applaud<br />
them all.<br />
On March 31, 1999 the Board<br />
voted to establish a Task Force,<br />
Many programs and<br />
services offered through <strong>BC</strong>PWA<br />
are wholly dependent on the<br />
support of the community.<br />
charged with conceiving, considering,<br />
preparing, and implementing<br />
necessary plans and strategies<br />
to maintain or, if at all possible,<br />
increase the amount of funding<br />
<strong>BC</strong>PWA gets from the provincial<br />
Ministry of Health. The uncertainty<br />
we still face is the region-<br />
alization of HIV/AIDS service<br />
contracts, a concern being addressed<br />
by the Task Force.<br />
Through much discussion and<br />
deliberation, and in spite of the<br />
financial challenges, we do have<br />
financial stability. This stability has<br />
resulted from the difficult adjusting<br />
of department budgets, the<br />
streamlining of programs and<br />
services, and increased revenues<br />
through our Fund Development<br />
Department. We have also been<br />
able to hire new staff positions<br />
to better enable us to meet the<br />
future. The question for the<br />
future is sustainability, as membership<br />
still increases.<br />
I would like to express my<br />
gratitude to the members of the<br />
Finance Committee, for their wisdom,<br />
professionalism, due diligence,<br />
commitment, cohesiveness<br />
and spirit of collaboration, and<br />
their caring concern.<br />
by Malsah<br />
STANDING COMMITTEE<br />
Fund Development Committee<br />
The Fund Development Standing<br />
Committee is responsible for the<br />
planning, organizing, and conducting<br />
of all aspects of the society’s<br />
Fund Development activities.<br />
Fund development is more than<br />
raising money from government,<br />
individuals, foundations, community,<br />
and corporations. It involves<br />
structures and systems, communicating<br />
the mission and vision, enlisting<br />
volunteer participation,<br />
and inviting participation from<br />
diverse groups. It is about building<br />
relationships with individuals<br />
who will continue to support<br />
<strong>BC</strong>PWA in the short and long<br />
term.<br />
<strong>BC</strong>PWA’s Fund Development<br />
Department was created just prior<br />
to AIDS Walk 98. A very successful<br />
walk with the highest net proceeds<br />
ever. By adding an Events<br />
Coordinator to the team, Fund<br />
Development now administers<br />
every aspect of the Walk, without<br />
the need to contract services.<br />
AIDS Walk, <strong>BC</strong>PWA’s largest<br />
fundraising event, benefits thousands<br />
of PWA’s in B. C. by providing<br />
direct services like the Complimentary<br />
Health Fund. The<br />
walk also benefits eleven other organizations<br />
(98 walk partners)<br />
that provide direct services to<br />
those living with HIV/AIDS.<br />
A key initiative with our fund<br />
development strategy this year has<br />
been to increase our partnerships<br />
within the community. This has<br />
proven to be a great success as we<br />
combine the strengths of numerous<br />
organizations. Care To Dance,<br />
our second annual pledged event,<br />
co-produced with the Shooting<br />
Stars Foundation, was successful<br />
and partial proceeds went to<br />
YouthCo AIDS Society. HairDo!<br />
was a first year event in partnership<br />
with Friends For Life. AIDS<br />
Walk 98 had eleven partners.<br />
continued on page 14<br />
8 LIVING + • JULY/AUGUST 1999