President & Executive Director's Annual Report
2008-2009

Over the past six years the Board was very busy with three major capital projects including the Centre for Community Living (2004), Spuceside Apartments (2006) and Fielden Apartments (2008). With the projects completed it was time for the Board to focus their attention on other organizational matters.

In the Spring of 2008 members of the Board, staff and interested stakeholders met to discuss issues confronting the organization, identify strategic directions and develop a preliminary work plan to address them. The Quality Enhancement Committee took the lead to begin working on the strategic plan which includes reviewing and reaffirming our programs and services, enhancing our communications and marketing efforts, addressing risk management issues, identifying human resources needs and considering partnerships.

The Board also spent considerable time developing and approving a new set of Governance Policies and Procedures. The policies cover a wide range of governance issues including: governance processes, roles and responsibilities, integrity and ethical conduct, Executive Director authority and accountability, and roles and responsibilities.

The Strategic Plan in addition to the new Governance Policies and Procedures will guide the Board in the future as they perform a number of key functions including: providing the overall direction for the agency, ongoing policy development, monitoring of programs and services, performance management, communication and advocacy.

The words 'Community Living' reflect the growing understanding that the right to live a full life within the community - to live, go to school, work, enjoy leisure and recreation and enjoy retirement belongs, to everyone. Certainly one of the highlights of the Community Living movement this past year was the closing of the last Provincial institution on March 31*, 2009. In celebration of this momentous occasion Community Living Port Colborne-Wainfleet hosted a luncheon to participate in a province-wide reflection to officially mark the end of an era. Over the past 25 years more than 35 people moved from institutions across the Province and made Port Colborne their home. Our Board of Directors and staff continue to be committed to providing real opportunities for true inclusion, independence and choice for people, and to support people to be active and contributing members of this community.

Once again it was a very busy year and we invite you to review the 2008-2009 Highlights on the following page which outlines the many initiatives, service developments and activities that marked this past year. Thank you to the people we support and their families, our employees, volunteers, partners and funders. With your continued involvement and support we look forward to another rewarding year.

Pat Davis
President

Vickie Moreland
Executive Director