MFS aims to see Greenwood operation continues ‘by families, for families’
The Greenwood Military Family Resource Centre has been through a year of change – and there is more to come.
During the GMFRC’s board of directors’ annual meeting, held online October 28, chair Natasha Appolloni announced the board will relinquish responsibility for MFRC programs and services to Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services’ Military Family Services. It aims to follow the recent transition of the Yellowknife MFRC to MFS.
“We are hoping for a seamless transition, so there is no break in services to our community, and an advisory committee will be stood up so the MFRC continues to be by families, for families,” Appolloni said.
The GMFRC board will continue, but change to a not-for-profit, volunteer-run entity to operate a childcare centre.
14 Wing Greenwood Colonel Luc Vachon said the GMFRC’s governance structure has worked well in the past, but challenges finding staff and volunteers more recently has “threatened the MFRC’s ability to continue to deliver programs and meet the needs of families.” And, wing leadership has had “little oversight into MFRC operations.” Vachon says command team connections to peer wing-level command teams, higher chains of command and national-level MFS and CFWMS entities will be “a positive step.
“A major restructuring is required – and this change is not being taken lightly,” he said. “The current structure can no longer support a vision to serve our military community better, and be forward-thinking. We fully understand change brings uncertainty, but let’s be clear: the wing chief warrant officer and I are fully committed to supporting this change, and we’re confident it will be stronger.
“We recognize the dedicated and unwavering service of the board and staff, and their work connecting families. MFS offers no significant change, and this new change of governance is the best way forward for guidelines and funding, and ways the MFRC can be ‘spot on’ with programs.”
Appolloni highlighted the challenges of the GMFRC through 2023/ 2024 in her chair’s report. The centre’s long-time executive director retired mid-year, and the board has been unsuccessful in finding a replacement. Centre staff has fallen from over 20 in program and support roles to under a handful. The board of directors’ membership and the centre’s volunteer pool has also been pinched.
She also touched on several successes, including development of childcare programs, and a number of community-building and connection offerings.
“Your work (the board and centre) truly matters,” she said. “We’re exploring partnerships to avoid duplication, we’re redesigning evidence-based programs to meet three levels of support for the military and veteran families around relocation, absences and transitions; and we’ve had several professional development events to strengthen the board, including best practices and a compliance audit.
“We’re doing our very best to provide services we can, and explore all the options.”
Appolloni thanked the partners, stakeholders and volunteers from around 14 Wing and in the community who support the MFRC.
“Our goal is confident, connected military families. This year has challenged us like we never expected, and we thank you for all you have given.”
The transition to an advisory committee and an MFS-run MFRC is expected to be complete by the end of March. Laurie Ogilvie, MFS’ senior vice-president, was on the AGM call and said “conversations are happening” on bringing current GMFRC staff over to a new MFS-run operation, and plans are being made to begin MFS-led community consultations. The current MFRC board will continue its changes to a body supervising a childcare service.
Financials
The financial statements presented were dated for the year ending March 31, 2024.
The GMFRC budgeted $1,416,291 in revenue for the year, with an actual revenue of $1,541,492. This included $988,019 from DMFS funding, $240,802 in program income, $202,996 in supplemental funding and $72 in fundraising.
Program costs for a range of offerings, including employment assistance, second language training, deployment supports, emergency child care, management and administration totaled $231,985; $10,327 under budget. Salaries and benefits were budgeted at $867,135, and came in at $897,232; overall expenditures came in at $1,519,257, $33,310 over budget.
The GMFRC ended 2023/ 2024 with a balance of $824,960.
Board elections
Taking the GMFRC board into the next year, and the transition to overseeing strictly the childcare operations, will be Natasha Appolloni, Laura Fox, Angie Publicover and Andrea Harris: all were up for re-election and acclaimed. There were no further nominations from the floor.
Laura Graham, who presented the slate of candidates, encouraged anyone interested in joining the organization to reach out for recruitment and training information. The board does not have to wait for an annual meeting to add to its numbers.
