SPACC AGM

February 11, 2024

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2023

2023 was a good year if for no other reason than we waved a cautious goodbye to COVID. Most of us are still looking over our shoulders and perhaps that is a good thing. More importantly we want to thank the community of Delta and the surrounding area for their very generous support to our events and fundraisers. To summarize:

·         Donations to the Foodbank were up at a critical time for a lot of people.

·         Our yard sales were all well attended and financially rewarding. We want to express our appreciation to the organizers and volunteers whose commitment to making these sales a success shows in the attendance and the monies raised.

·         Year over year attendance at our Pride Picnic was up which is very encouraging.

·         We joined the Rural Pride Collective and members of our team underwent mental health first aid training via this organization. We are continuing to work with them to help develop vital 2SLGBQTIA++ training that will benefit our community and contribute to the sense of safety and welcome that this segment of our community will feel here. 

·         We served as a rest and refreshment stop for the Ottawa Bike Club’s Rideau Lakes Tour, which was a lot of fun as well as a financial success that we plan do again in 2024.

·         We provided the judging and funding for the Delta Christmas lights home decorating event and we plan to do it again in 2024.

·         We added three new members to our committee.

The other major activity was, and continues to be, the ongoing restoration/renovation of the church and attached hall. In 2022 we installed an HVAC system to provide improved heating and air conditioning to the church interior. In 2023, we used the remainder of the grant money to open a passageway between the church and the hall. Please refer to the attached drawing of the architect's proposed layout and photos of the completed renovations.

Our biggest challenge is finding grant opportunities to fund the remainder of the renovations. We are very fortunate to have a retired financial fund manager who has experience in working with private foundations, and who is volunteering his time to help identify opportunities. We are also exploring the cost/benefits of incorporating as a stand-alone charitable organization.

Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for all the support we have received from Leeds Anglican Ministries, the Anglican Diocese of Ontario, and the Township of Rideau Lakes. Most of all, we want to thank the members of SPACC for the nearly 900 volunteer hours of effort put toward the events and the committee work. We couldn’t have done it without you.