More than one a day - is the estimated number of people in Ontario who sustain a new spinal cord injury
The average time it takes to attain optimal independence following a spinal cord injury
Are currently living with a spinal cord injury in Ontario and a total of 86,000 are living in Canada
The estimated annual economic cost of traumatic spinal cord injury in Canada
What We Do
ADVOCACY We help people living with spinal cord injuries to find the resources they need and provide them with the tools to develop self-advocacy skills.
PEER SUPPORT We connect people living with spinal cord injuries to fully-trained volunteers who can share their experience and knowledge. We can connect family members, too.
PUBLIC POLICY We provide disability-specific policy analysis that brings awareness and education to elected officials, and we support our membership through advocacy initiatives that aim to create a more inclusive province.
KNOWLEDGE ENTERPRISE We offer custom learning opportunities on disability awareness and understanding spinal cord injury for organizations, in-person and online. We engage researchers, policy makers, clinicians and consumers in knowledge translation, turning knowledge into action to benefit our community. We design curriculum for people with spinal cord injuries to support self-management and promote life-long learning.
ONTARIO SCI SOLUTIONS ALLIANCE People with spinal cord injuries, service providers, researchers and policy makers connect with our collaborative network of people and organizations in the SCI community. We address systemic barriers that affect community participation and optimum health. We find customized solutions and proven best practices to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injuries.
REGIONAL SERVICES We encourage and support people living with spinal cord injuries to be as independent as possible. We provide practical help, service navigation, information, resources, education, and support in the adjustment to having a disability. We will meet people in the hospital, in rehab, in their home, or in the community. If you can’t come to us, we’ll go to you!
MEMBERSHIP Joining SCI Ontario’s community has many
benefits, including participation in our membership events, access to up-to-date, relevant news about spinal cord injury, and connection to others. Membership is free to people with disabilities and their family
members for the first year!
ATTENDANT SERVICES We provide attendants to assist people with permanent physical disabilities to be independent at home, work and at post-secondary schools in the Toronto area, given the person can initiate and direct his/her own personal support service.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES We help people with spinal cord injuries who are looking for work in the Toronto Area identify work-related goals and find satisfying employment. Our services also help employers find qualified candidates and evaluate their workplace accessibility and job accommodation requirements.
The History of SCI Ontario
John Counsell
Ken Langford
Andrew Clarke
Albin Jousse
Kirby Rowe
Bill Adair
Clients served this year
Of clients would recommend SCI Ontario
Info Requests
Subscribers to FYI on SCI
Visits to sciontario.org
Facebook group members
Twitter followers
LinkedIn followers
Public Policy Campaign participants
Volunteers contributed 3,596 volunteer hours
Group educational sessions
Direct service hours
Paid job placements
Donors have donated for 20 years or more
# of Donors
In support of clients through our Enhancing Independence Fund
Involvement of our Ski and Snowboard committee
Raised for a post-doctoral fellowship in the field of spinal cord injury research
Wheeled collectively at the Provincial Wheelchair Relay Challenge
Direct client engagements
Major Gift Donors Donated $176,758
People attended 222 Peer Events
Planned Gifts totalling $627,360
As per our recommendations to the Assistive Devices Program (ADP), cost of mobility devices have been reduced by 20% in the 2015 ADP mobility device pricing list.
$5 million expansion in Attendant Services over the last year as part of a 3-year strategy which resulted in $18.8 million. Working with the Ontario Community Support Association,
approximately 500 people received new services, reduced wait times in accessing Attendant Services and people who need more hours of service, receiving them.
Successful advocacy with Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) led to wage enhancement stabilization program for Personal Support Workers in Attendant Services provincially.
Launched a TTC Accessibility Campaign during the Toronto Municipal Elections accelerating the accessible subway stations plan to 2025.
Developed online Peer Activists training curriculum.
Completed a 3-year Ontario SCI Solutions Alliance planning exercise with 70+ organizations to develop long-term SCI strategy for a request for government funding in 2017.
to mobilize membership on advocacy issues. To date 1,132 people have participated in 4 online campaigns that affected 4 policies.
Developed and launched our Junior Board to assist with fundraising, advocacy and awareness.
Revamped our business planning process and tools to create a more streamlined and rigorous approach.
Remain on track to be ready for Accreditation through CARF International by the target date of spring, 2017. New policies and plans developed this year include: Cultural Competency, Financial Transactions for Clients, Service Provision and Service Agreements, Quality Improvement for Client Services, Professional Development, Salary Administration, Job Description and Job Evaluation, Performance Appraisal, Leave of Absence (Unpaid), User of Vehicle of Business and Fragrance Free Workplace.
Created and published a new plain language guide "Preventing and Treating Pressure Sores: A guide for people with spinal cord injuries". The guide was launched through a videoconference and live webcast that was broadcasted to five sites across Ontario. The event included a "call to action" encouraging those interested to sign up to receive information on developing a strategy that addresses and resolves systemic barriers related to pressure sores in Ontario.
New eLearning modules developed include: Vehicle Modification, Adapted Sex Toys and Booking an Accessible Hotel Room. New webcasts include Research Showcase, Sex After SCI, Preventing and Treating Pressure Sores and Sports Nutrition.
Two new unique eLearning programs were developed for fee for service curricula: Understanding SCI for Personal Support Workers and Disability Awareness.
Updated public website which included mobile friendly features.
12 people with spinal cord injuries tried sit skiing (adapted skiing) for the first time at this year's Ski and Snowboard Day.
Developed a staff Intranet to strengthen internal communications.
From June 27 to July 19, 2014 SCI Ontario, with presenting partner Soulpepper Theatre and creative genius RARE Theatre Company, brought Borne to the stage.
A play about the stories of people with spinal cord injuries told with raw truth, gave 22 audiences a different lens to view disability. Below are clips
from the play that will be used to start a conversation. What would you do if you sustained a spinal cord injury? Do you use the accessible stall in a
washroom? Would you date someone with a disability? The hope is that by starting a conversation, people can think about their own perceptions of
disability and perhaps challenge their own beliefs — because in conversations, creativity, solutions and change are borne.
It is my pleasure to report on Spinal Cord Injury Ontario’s financial results for the year ended March 31, 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of management. The Finance and Audit Committee, along with the Board of Directors, approve the financial statements which have been audited by Grant Thornton. Summarized financial statements are included in the Annual Report and complete statements are available on our website.
Billy Klare, Treasurer Chair, Finance and Audit Committee
Revenue
Grants from the Toronto Central Local Integration Health Network and various Ontario ministries increased by 3% during the year to $8.1 million. The increase can be attributed to additional funding received from the Toronto Central LHIN in support of our Attendant Services program.
Government grants support the delivery of our attendant, employment, regional and information services, as well as our peer support and education programs. In addition, SCI Ontario receives donation revenue, including major and planned gifts, revenues from fundraising events and direct mail campaigns. Support from these sources increased by 14% and ended the year at $2.05 million.
Spinal Cord Injury Ontario also received $154K in financial support from the Ontario Paraplegic Foundation to support our programs and activities. The Foundation’s condensed audited financial statements are included within SCI Ontario’s complete audited statements.
Overall, SCI Ontario ended the year with total revenues of $10.367 million. Our single largest expense related to staff compensation and benefits which is consistent with most service-based organizations. SCI Ontario finished the year with a modest surplus of $9,000.
Management intends to focus the next few months on developing plans and budgets for the 2016-2018 business cycle. On behalf of management, the Finance and Audit Committee and the Board, I would like to express my gratitude to our clients, members, volunteers, sponsors, donors and our dedicated staff who make this continued reach possible.
Donations and other public support grossed revenue of $2.33 million (2014-$2.023 million). Direct fundraising expenses of $280,449 (2014-$222,976) have been netted against this total.
Donations and other public support include grants of $154K from the Ontario Paraplegic Foundation, which was established in March 2000 to receive bequests and donations from supporters of SCI Ontario. The Foundation is registered under the Income Tax Act and SCI Ontario appoints the majority of the Foundation's Board of Directors. According to the Foundation's bylaws, all resources of the Foundation must ultimately be used for the benefit of SCI Ontario. SCI Ontario's complete audited statements, which are available on our website, include abridged audited statements for the Foundation.
SCI Ontario is highly dependent on the support of dedicated volunteers. Their value is not quantifiable in the above financial statements.
The financial information in the condensed statements is drawn from SCI Ontario's audited financial statements. If you would like a copy of the complete audited financial statements, please contact us at 1-877-422-1112 or visit www.sciontario.org.
*As a percentage of total revenue of $10.367 million as per audited statement, plus $280,449 of direct fundraising costs disclosed in Note 7 of full audited statement; adjusted total gross $10.65 million
How Funds Were Spent
*As a percentage of total expenditures of $10,358 million as per audited statement, plus $280,449 of direct fundraising costs disclosed in Note 7 of full audited statement; adjusted total expenses $10.64 million
The SCI Ontario Board of Directors provides risk management oversight by working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and the management team. A comprehensive Risk Management Report is reviewed at each Board meeting. The report discloses the likelihood of potential risks, their impact, actions taken to date and proposed future strategies. In addition, management prepares a risk report to accompany the annual business planning cycle, highlighting any risks that may affect goal achievement in the coming year.
The organization is tracking the following operational risks:
The majority of SCI Ontario’s funding is derived from grant agreements which are subject to legislative and budget fluctuations.
A portion of SCI Ontario’s funding stems from corporate and private donors, whose financial support is voluntary. In addition, any loss in volunteer or staff leadership could have a negative impact on our fundraising efforts.
SCI Ontario organizes sporting events at which the safety of volunteers and participants is paramount at all times.
As a service organization, hazards exist (such as health, equipment and environment) in the workplace, which may be defined as a client’s home, a community setting, a hospital or a branch office.
In the context of our work, we come into the possession of personal health information. Inadvertent disclosure of this information could have an unfavourable effect on the organization and our clients.
As a registered charity, SCI Ontario is required to comply with various federal and provincial legislations and regulations, and non-compliance could trigger penalties and negatively impact our image and brand.
Management develops action plans for each risk and provides status updates to the Board of Directors throughout the year. In July 2015, management will also develop its business plans and budgets for the 2016, 2017 and 2018 years and include a proactive assessment of known and emerging risks on the horizon.
The support we receive from donors, corporations and foundations helps people at their most difficult time in their life to rebuild their dreams and rekindle their spirit.
Thank you to each and every one of you.
TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED:
Our Featured Supporter's Story: Anthony Salvatore
You can purchase your copy of Anthony Salvatore and The Cause by calling (416) 422-5644, Ext 212
Grants
Sponsors
$75,000 - $100,000
Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
$25,000 - $49,999
Gluckstein Personal Injury Lawyers
Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP
Insurance Bureau of Canada
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Personal Injury Alliance
$10,000 - $24,999
Bruce Power
Goldcorp Inc.
Guy Carpenter & Company
In The End Inc.
Oatley, Vigmond Personal Injury Lawyers LLP
Provincial Building & Construction Trades Council of Ontario
Siskinds LLP
The Morris Law Group
Wynperle Law
$5,000 - $9,999
Aviva Canada Inc.
Canada Brokerlink Incorporated
Colangelo Greenhow Inc.
Coloplast Canada Corporation
Hard-Co Construction Ltd.
Lerners LLP Barristers & Solicitors - London
Swiss Reinsurance Company of Canada
The John & Deborah Harris Family Foundation
Thomas Gold Pettingill LLP
$1,000 - $4,999
Affiliated Benefits Consultants Ltd.
AON Benfield Canada ULC
Baird MacGregor Insurance Brokers
Baxter Structures
Black & McDonald Limited
Black, Sutherland LLP
Bruce Wilson Landscaping Ltd.
Building & Construction Trades Department AFL-CIO
Cade Associates Insurance Brokers Ltd.
Carstar Automotive Canada
Central Ontario Building Trades & Construction Trades Council
Con-Elco Ltd.
De Rose Personal Injury Lawyers
Dickinson Wright
Discount Car and Truck Rentals
Earth Boring Co. Ltd.
Foster, Townsend, Graham & Associates LLP Lawyers
Freedman & Associates Inc. Marketing Consultants
Robert Gallagher
Gazzola Paving Limited
George Weston Limited
J. Douglas & Ruth Grant
Greystone Managed Investments Inc.
PMA Brethour Realty Group Organization
Hamilton Construction Ltd.
Henderson Structured Settlements LP.
IBEW Construction Council of Ontario
International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers - Local 95
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 46
International Union of Elevator Constructors - Local 50
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793
Judith Hull & Associates
Laurel Steel
Legate & Associates LLP
Lerners LLP - Toronto
LiUNA! - Local 506
LiUNA! - Local 183
LiUNA! Ontario Provincial District Council
Manulife Financial
McKellar Structured Settlements Inc.
NEI Investments
Ontario Construction Secretariat
Ontario Iron Workers District Council
Ontario Pipe Trades Council
Operating Engineers Employer Bargaining Agency
Paul Davis Systems
Pentad Construction
Rich Rotstein, Chartered Accountants
Robert B. Somerville Co. Limited
Scotiabank
Sheet Metal Workers International Union Local 285
Shekter Dychtenberg LLP
Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix
Singer, Kwinter Personal Injury Lawyers
Teamsters Construction Council of Ontario
The CG & B Group Inc.
The MBTW Group
The Michael Young Family Foundation
Thomson Rogers Lawyers
Torkin Manes LLP Barristers & Solicitors
Trans Power Utility Contractors Inc.
Travelers Canada
Triplecrete Limited
United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 46
United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Union
Western Mechanical
Westhall Corporation
Winmar Mississauga/Oakville
Yorkwood Homes
$500 - $999
Aftercare Cremation & Burial Services
Ambler & Co. Inc.
Atlas Dewatering Corporation
Beacon Utility Contractors Ltd.
Beckett Professional Corporation
Dependable Mechanical
Dufferin Aggregates (a division of Holcim (Canada) Inc.)
Golden Technologies of Canada
Invacare Canada LP
Ipex Inc.
Kettleby Contracting
Lancorp Construction Co. Ltd.
Network Reporting & Mediation
Royalcrest Paving
UCC Group Inc.
Donations
In Honour of
Bill Adair
Peter Athanasopoulos
Mariyan Boychev
Leandre Casselman
Roger & Marlene Clairmount
Barry Cooper
Vev Kline
Jim Milligan
Andrew Olivier
Ormrod Family
Gary Gunraj
Anthony Salvatore
Tammy Wells
Ian Wollach
In Memory of
Harold "Fudd" Clark
Mary Frances Coburn
Barrington Coke
Reginald Collins
William Kenneth Coupland
Joan Anne Demberline
Jim Devlin
Gaspare DiMaria
John Douglas Doherty
Randy Eveliegh
Newton Faulkner
Barb Forrestell
Katrina Ghahremani
Shirley Hindle
Jackie Hnatiuk
Morris Howell
Douglas Kayahara
Guy Lessard
Joseph Malone
Stuart Mayer
Perry Meunier
Leonard Miller
Dora Miron
Camilla Murphy
Edward Othmer
Sylvia Reavie
Jesse Redden
Helen Rudl
Lloyd Russell
Irwin Slopack
Jimmy Smith
Florence M. Soares
Dawn St. Marie
Wayne Stockley
Bruce Thomson
Ulysse Tremblay
The Father of Jason Young
ESTATES
Estate of Louise May Boyd
Estate of Stanley Delaney
Estate of Donald Geater
Estate of John Isbister
Estate of Lillian Gail Wright
$75,000 - 100,000
Federated Health Charities Corporation
Travelers Canada
$50,000 - 74,999
The Hopkins Family
$10,000 - 24,999
Economical Mutual Insurance Company
McLeish Orlando LLP
Oatley, Vigmond Personal Injury Lawyers LLP
Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
The Capital Hill Group Ottawa Inc.
Thomson Rogers Lawyers
$5,000 - 9,999
Stephan Argent
Lakeshore Rehabilitation Centre
Lehigh Hanson Materials Ltd.
Leslie Craig Brown Law Professional Corporation
Ontario Curling Association
Queen's University
Rotary Club of Ottawa - Charity Fund
Smith Falls Curling Club Inc.
$1,000 - $4,999
William K. Adair
Carolyn Archibald
Jackie Bloom
Dominic De Rose
Bernard Gluckstein
Barbara Goldring
Dianne M. Lesperance
Anthony J. Lisanti
Jeff Marshall
Jackie McCarten
Mary Ann McColl
Jerome Morse
Sandra Nymark
Sheila B. Stahl
Jeff Steckley
John Tobin
Russell Topp
Jack Warriner
Bank Of Nova Scotia
Barrhaven Lions Bingo in Trust
Beckett Professional Corporation
Carranza LLP
Falconeri Munro Tucci LLP
Foster, Townsend, Graham & Associates LLP Lawyers
Functionability Rehabilitation Services Inc.
Gluckstein Personal Injury Lawyers
Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP
Ivey Honors Business Admin Association In Trust
Judith Hull & Associates
Kerney Fire & Emergency Services Association
Key Gordon Communications
Leon's Furniture Limited - Toronto
Miss Canada Globe Productions
MV-1 Canada
North Waterloo Farmers Mutual Insurance Company
Rachel's Kids Development Fund
Rehab First Inc.
Rotary Club of Barrie-Kempenfelt
Royal Canadian Legion - Osgoode Branch
Samuel, Son & Co. Limited
Singer Kwinter Personal Injury Lawyers
Steven Dionne Fundraising Organization
Strype Barristers LLP
Torkin Manes LLP
The Morris Law Group
United Way Toronto
Vigorate Digital Solutions Inc.
Wynperle Law
$500 - 999
Sherlynn Akitt
Peter Athanasopoulos
Sheila Casemore
Vincenta Cheng
Val Cleroux
Dr. Catharine Craven
Richard Crenian
Penny Dodge
Brad Duby
Louie Fioccola
Maurice Fryatt
Joseph Gagliano
Isabel Gil
Gary Gunraj
Dan Harvey
Pat J. Holway
Kenneth E. Howie
Spiro Karacorovski
Vahan Kololian
Rona Kosansky
David Lailey
Lynne Lawson
Nancy Lawson
George Leon
Ian MacEachern
Doris Mackenzie
Stacey L. Moore
Diane Morrell
Ella Margaret M. Potton
Bruce Sinclair
Brian H. Somer
Dr. Charles Tator
Russell Winkelaar
Aftercare Cremation & Burial Services
Army Navy & Air Force Veterans In Canada - Orillia
Army Navy & Air Force Veterans In Canada 383 - Toronto
Arnprior Council 2082 Charitable Welfare Trust
Barrie Taxi Ltd.
Bight Restaurant & Bar
Burn Tucker Lachaîne LLP
CHUM Charitable Foundation
Community Foundation Grey Bruce
Guild Electric Charitable Foundation
Innisfil Lions Club
Knights Of Columbus - Father A. Nolan Council 9865
Leon's - J. & B. Brown Furniture & Appliances Ltd. - Orillia
Manotick Kiwanis Bingo
Martin & Wright Insurance & Financial Services Inc.
McKellar Structured Settlements Inc.
Northern Ontario Curling Association
Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 480
Strategic Charitable Giving Foundation
The John David & Signy Eaton Foundation
Wawanesa
Yorkstreet Dispute Resolution Group Inc.
Long-Time Donors
Consecutive Years
William K. Adair (21)
Dorothy L. Amos (29)
George Beaudry (29)
John D. Bernard (22)
Janet Berry (21)
Osworth B. Blake (26)
Ruth Bolt (20)
Harold Burnside (20)
Deanna A. Carbert (29)
Luanna Chernushenko (23)
Sylvia H. Cohen (21)
Ley Davison (20)
Dorothy Delisle (30)
John M. Dewitt (28)
Eleanor L. Ellins (32)
Robert Feldgaier (25)
Jindrich Fiala (23)
Doug G. Gilbert (27)
John W. Gonsalves (30)
Yvonne Green (20)
Daniel Haas (30)
Juergen Hoffmann (20)
Richard J. Horner (25)
Douglas Humphreys (22)
Robert M. Jackson (28)
Marcus N. James (21)
Richard Klosler (20)
Ingeborg Koenig (23)
Colin Lloyd (20)
Trevor M. Luke (21)
E. A. Marriage (21)
Dorothy McClelland (28)
Eric G. McIntyre (26)
Heather McKenzie (21)
Peter J. Monti (30)
June Murdoch (21)
E. Alex Newcombe (30)
Harley R. Nott (20)
Lloyd Pezze (25)
Mary Phillips (20)
Ella Margaret M. Potton (24)
Sally P. Powell (25)
Ruth Read (23)
Ebraihim Soni (31)
Diana N. Stott (23)
Ann D. Sutton (20)
Angeline Tannis (21)
Margaret Whyte (25)
Brian A. Wilding (23)
Jim Wood (24)
Monthly Donors
William K. Adair
Eileen Adams
Loriedelle Addun
Margaret Ainsworth
Michael Ashton
Peter Athanasopoulos
Beryl Babb
David Baldwin
Basil Bernier
Martha Binks
Jackie Bloom
Paul Britton
Douglas Buchanan
B. Mai Bui
Norine Bulmer
David Campbell
William Charney
Angela Clair
Shirley Clark
Sharol Cordner
Esther Cyrus
Sheila Daniel
Eileen F. Dockman
Joseph Dooley
Karen Evoy
Barbara Farrell
James M. Feeney
Jindrich Fiala
Kathleen M. Flint
Lynn Francis
Norm Freedman
Jenny Gilker
Bernard Gluckstein
Carol Graham
Jerome Hanley
Vera Harris
Heather Hollingshead
Susan Howatt
Kevin Hunter
Naomi Hunter
Doris Hutchence
Mary Margaret Koelln
Arie Kojokaro
Rick Lewcock
Laurent Loranger
Jim MacLachlan
Kathleen Martin-Ginis
Richard K. McCallum
Diana McCauley
Robert A. McGeachie
Bruce McIntosh
Sarah McKinnon
Marion McPhedran
Lynn A. Miñeque
Stacey L. Moore
Sally A. Mongraw
Diane Morrell
Robert C. Morris
Donna Mullings
Robert Murphy
Harley R. Nott
Mary A. O'Connell
Paul Peer
Mary Anne Powell
Sally P. Powell
Basmatee-Eunice Ragobeer
Sandhya Raja
Helen Ramsay
Liam Ready
Douglas Reid
Gary Reinblatt
Paul Rice
John Rizzo
Arlene Rudakoff
Madelyn Scanlan
Kathleen Schneider
Ronald Schokking
Judith E. Scolnik
Sidney Shear
Margaret W. Smith
Michelle Smith
Stephen D. Smylie
Donna Stewart
Diana N. Stott
Chiara Tassone
S. Phillip Tingley
Evelyn Towers
Lydia Vales
Whitney Woloshyn
Elizabeth Zarnowiecki
Barb M. Zufelt
Our Organization
The passion and dedication of our staff is exhibited on a daily basis and SCI Ontario's reputation is directly attributable to the high quality of its employees. We are better together, as relationships are at the centre of everything we do and this directly impacts our staff and clients, as well as SCI Ontario's successes in our communities. Each employee brings individual strengths to SCI Ontario, and when we combine those strengths, we believe we reach our full potential as an organization. Our staff embodies our mission and values of respect, excellence, accountability, leadership, inclusion and innovation.
This year, we employed close to 170 full-time and part-time staff who provide support to our clients through our community-based services and programs across the province of Ontario. Approximately 30% of our workforce have identified that they have disabilities themselves, thus providing increased knowledge and awareness of the people we serve. More than 35% of our staff have been with the organization ten years or more. In fact, 16 staff members have been with us for more than 20 years.
During the year, salary increases were awarded in the 1-3% range, accompanied by an annual performance appraisal, which was in addition to a one-time 3% base salary adjustment for all non-unionized staff. No finder’s fees were administered. Salaries for our unionized staff group remain governed by a collective agreement which was successfully re-negotiated in November 2014 based on a 3-year agreement in effect until November 2017. Executive compensation was reported according to the requirements of the Ontario Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act.
In February 2015, staff were given the opportunity to participate in our annual staff satisfaction survey, 91% surveyed say that SCI Ontario is a good place to work. This year’s survey identified increased ratings for several improvement areas including timely communications and access to training. This is encouraging as inspired staff are and will be more productive and engaged in our changing environments on our path of continuous improvement. We will endeavour to continue to improve on our internal communications and support access to training and professional development opportunities. On an overall basis, staff turnover was 12.7% for the year. Triumph in assisting people to build fantastic lives lies with our committed staff; it takes a highly trained team of caring and sensitive people to provide the level of knowledge, expertise, guidance and compassion we deliver every day. And it is an honour to do so.
Staff Recognition
The following is a list of staff reaching service milestones this year in 2015
Ron Rattie, Peer Support Co-ordinator, Hamilton
Peter Athanasopoulos, Manager, Public Policy and Government Relations
Maggie Didiano, Manager, Attendant Services
Charlie Warriner, Peer Support Co-ordinator, Toronto
Barb Ewan, Attendant
Merverly Williams, Attendant
Elma Ricketts, Attendant
Morene Robinson, Attendant
Steve Hastings, Attendant
Leonora Hancle, Attendant
Liliana Walker, Attendant
Our organizational structure
Board of Directors
Craig Brown
Sandra Carpenter
Marco Ferrara
Bernard Gluckstein
Tony Huxter
Tara Jeji
Billy Klare
Vev Kline
Mark Lamoureux
Mary Ann McColl
Bob Nigol
Tom Proszowki
Dan Ross
Cindy Scott
Peter Sproul
Shaun Westlake
Board Committees
The directors participate in the following committees:
Governance and Nominating Committee
The committee is responsible for board recruitment and education including orientation sessions, succession planning, reviewing and evaluating board committee performance, reviewing and evaluating board performance.
Client Services Quality Management Committee The Committee focuses on the quality of client services and client safety, including outcome measures/ benchmarks, or other means by which the overall performance of Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario programs and services can be measured.
Audit and Finance Committee The committee is responsible for overseeing the financial controls and financial management of Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario to ensure the protection of all assets and ensure responsible fiscal management.
Advocacy Committee The committee is responsible for advocating proactively and reactively for better conditions of life for people with spinal cordinjuries in Ontario.
How to get involved
Spinal Cord Injury Ontario is a great organization to support in so many ways...so get involved today!
PARTICIPATE
Come out to an event! Register as a participant in the Wheelchair Relay Challenge and Stroll, in a curling bonspiel, or attend a gala evening to raise funds in support of SCI Ontario.
Alternatively, join us at an information session or a Peer Connections and learn more about what SCI Ontario is doing in your community. Showing up for our events supports people with spinal cord injuries
and other physical disabilities. The truth is, we couldn't do what we do without your support! Check out the events section to find out what's on in your community.
SPONSOR
For years we have had the pleasure of developing unique and meaningful relationships with our event and program sponsors. Sponsors play a vital role in enabling us to expand activities and reach more
people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities. Sponsorships can be as involved as aiding an entire program or as relaxed as hosting an afternoon lunch and learn. If you think your company
would like to further develop your relationship with us, please contact our Director of Resource Development at 416-422-5644 x 272.
Share what you know with us! We also have a Buy and Sell where you can let people know about properties for rent, vehicles for sale and items that are needed. Visit our classifieds and get involved!
VOLUNTEER
We rely on our volunteers. Volunteers help us with office assistance, running events, writing in our publications and showing us board-level leadership. Volunteers might choose a role with a very
specific time frame or one that is ongoing. We are privileged to have such dedicated people who help us do what we do. Their enthusiasm is contagious and helps us re-focus our purpose. We are so thankful
for all they do. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please visit our listing of local offices or email volunteering@sciontario.org for more details.
COMMUNITY EVENTS IN SUPPORT OF SCI ONTARIO
There are many meaningful and significant ways to support Spinal Cord Injury Ontario in its mission to support people with spinal cord injury to help them to achieve independence, self-reliance and full
community participation. One of the most impactful ways is by hosting a Community Event. A Community Event allows you the opportunity to organize your own event in order to increase awareness and raise
funds to support people with spinal cord injury and other physical disabilities. Your time and effort will directly benefit those living with a spinal cord injury and their families. It is an opportunity to
truly make a difference! Find out more about our community events.
PERSONAL FUNDRAISING PAGES
Personal Fundraising Pages are a great, easy way to raise funds to help people living with spinal cord injury in you community. Build your own personal online SCI Ontario Page and start fundraising today!
You can set up Special Occasion pages to celebrate a birthday, wedding, anniversary or graduation. You can set up Sports and Challenges pages to acknowledge a sporting milestone or a mini event or
challenge. You can set up Tribute and Memorial pages in honour or memory of somone. Or set up a Plan Your Event page for a bigger event and invite people to register for your event. Find out more about our
Personal Fundraising Pages.
BECOME A BOARD MEMBER
If you are interested in becoming a board member, please send a formal request to the Governance and Nominating Committee c/o 520 Sutherland Drive, Toronto, ON M4G 3V9. Please note: it is a good idea to
check out the Board of Directors webpage before you make your decision and review the committees the board is involved in, so you can identify areas you would be interested in working. Please visit our
Board of Directors page.