MERIT AWARD BURSARY PROGRAM 2014 - 2015 STRATEGIC FOCUS ANNUAL - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
MERIT AWARD BURSARY PROGRAM 2014 - 2015 STRATEGIC FOCUS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OCTOBER 2014 1 1 THE MERIT AWARD IS MADE UP OF DEDICATED AND PASSIONATE VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO SUCCEED. OUR BOARD OF
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OCTOBER 2014
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Our Mission
Inspiring youth to pursue higher education and contribute to the community.
financial awards to senior secondary school students in high needs Ontario schools, by providing:
advancement through education;
community; and
employed by educators and parents.
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We are proud of our accomplishments
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2014 in review: MERIT Award key accomplishments
APPLICATIONS Received 386 applications. Awarded 145 bursaries in 2014. Increased the number of schools participating in the program - from 45 to 47 schools in the GTA Committed to $114,500 in bursaries for 2014 - 2015. SELECTION COMMITTEE Increased the number of selection committee members to record high of 40 selectors. Strategically leveraged MERIT Award Selection Committee and introduced the “Newbie” Selection Committee. BOWLING FUNDRAISING & AWARD CEREMONY Bowling Fundraising was a hit! We raised ~$65,000 (gross) AWARD CEREMONY WAS A HIT!!!!!
MAINTAINED & GREW DONOR BASE
TD, Faskens, Google, Deloitte Foundation, Telus, National Bank (Sponsor). ADDED: NBCN, Smarten Up Institute, TELUS, Heathbridge Capital Management, and food sponsor Marigolds & Onions.
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We are proud of our operational accomplishments
LEADERSHIP EMPOWERMENT
Leaders from each operational stream are consistently providing Chair reports and streamlined board meeting agendas and improved attendance.
DECENTRALIZED DECISION MAKING
Improved decentralized decision making by allowing leads to drive decisions with committees and report back to the board when required
INCREASED ENGAGEMENT
Increased Alumni recruiting and volunteer participation for events such as Bowling, Selection Committee and speaking events.
IMPROVED ONLINE EXPERIENCE
Initiated online application process and implemented
Enhanced the meritaward.ca website to convey MERIT Award’s compelling story and to engage key stakeholders by providing relevant information.
ACTIVELY GATHERED FEEDBACK
Launched MERIT Award student survey to gather feedback and collect critical student data for reporting purposes MERIT AWARD
IMPROVED ONLINE EXPERIENCE DE- CENTRALIZED DECISION MAKING INCREASED ENGAGEMENT
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We had a successful year
BURSARIES AWARDED IN TOTAL FOR 2014
receiving $500 each
receiving $750 each
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Concentrate on the students and what their realities are – significant personal challenges and the increasing need for higher education. Keep reminding us – why does the MERIT exist? Ensure we build a strong foundation on existing initiatives before we launch any new projects. Ensure we build strong governance, business processes and financials before we invest in other initiatives. To launch new projects, each project needs to undergo a resource assessment to ensure that the support is provided to drive success. Board is currently an operational board as well as a policy board.
Our Guiding Principles
Building the right talent base both on the board and the core teams. Commitment to accountability and follow through.
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Organizational structure
President BRIAN SMEENK Strategic Planning JENNIFER LEE Alumni Outreach MELANIE MOORE Financials & Reporting KATHY MOK Event Management TABITHA AQUINO Fundraising JEFF HARVIE School Outreach SARAH MARRIOTT Governance BRIAN SMEENK
“Building on a sustainable foundation”
Online Strategy & Execution TIM ROBERTSON Project Management SARAH MARRIOTT Selection Committee & Student Liaison SONIA FUNG Communications RANIA AHMED Advisory Committee JENNIFER LEE
ADMIN & OPERATIONS STRATEGIC AREAS OF FOCUS
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Strategic Areas of Focus
Governance Advisory Committee Fundraising
Communication
School Outreach Event Management Alumni Outreach
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Event Management
Lead: Tabitha
Develop an overall integrated communication strategy with Rania that will support all key activities and events throughout the year Contact list management for effective communications (Sponsors: Tab/Sonia/Rania/Melanie)
Past supporter Create a “critical path document” for key events with project management timelines and a document repository Annual Award Ceremony: Will further streamline and delegate operations
workshops, key note speakers)
Bowling event: Make delivery a turnkey event
charitable receipts
event management
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Fundraising
Lead: Jeff & Steve Formal fundraising team still needs to be built out. Jeff is focusing on building a core team. Team has flagged this as the highest concern for MERIT’s sustainability.
foundation, individual Reconsider timing of the MERIT events to ensure that we have a calendar that is well planned out and that events have sufficient planning time for those involved. Add additional leaders for fundraising components:
Continue to build relationship with the other corporate partners Rotary Club Proposal for server/cloud solution costing Apply to the TELUS foundation (Jen to lead, with Steve’s help)
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Event Management
Lead: Tabitha & Jeff
Reconsidering the way the events are managed Divide up responsibility for Bowling Event and Award Ceremony. Bowling Event ‒ Event management changes noted above Award Ceremony ‒ Establish a core team that will lead the execution of the Awards Ceremony ‒ Identify the right individual to lead the team ‒ Break the award ceremony into operational “buckets”
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Alumni Outreach Lead: Melanie
1. Continued population of Alumni records since 2006 - present. 2. Analysis of 2014 MERIT Survey with resulting follow-ups including an engaged volunteer list for other board initiatives. 3. Summarize historical statistics from TDSB and TCDSB and formalize the ongoing process of such. 4. Following the success of the first annual MERIT Video Contest, incorporate digital testimonial assets on website, for pitch decks and elsewhere.
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School Outreach
Lead: Sarah
Focus on increasing number of applications per school (2014 applications decreased from 392 to 386 with prior high of 527). Increase footprint to cover strategic schools. Goal is to have all schools send quality applications then possibly expand to more schools.
Recruitment of additional volunteers. Develop a list of strategic school events to attend.
Reinstate direct communications with schools to reinforce MERIT’s presence.
Create master list of contacts Identify key point of contact within each school. Publish list of schools and teacher champions on meritaward.ca as a resource for students.
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Communications
Lead: Rania
Develop communications strategy and program. Communication elements needed to ensure consistency and timelines for:
Strategy to compliment activities of committees.
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Governance
Lead: Brian
Conduct a “gap” analysis on the board skillset to identify future needs. Improve risk management overall in areas such as:
a consistent look and feel
Set up Advisory Committee.
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Advisory Committee
Lead: Brian & Jen
Goal is to: Gather group of community leaders from business, charities and education to provide: cross-functional perspectives. fundraising advice advice re possible corporate partnerships advice on how to improve effectiveness Leverage committee to increase our overall network. Execution: Dinner 1-2 times a year for 3 hours Led by 2-3 MERIT Board members. With about 6 external advisors
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MERIT Award Bursary Incorporated – Financials
Chartered Accountants. Our year-end was April 30, 2014. Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting Financial Statement Close Process
FINANCIAL REPORTING
Administration / File Retention SARAH MARRIOTT Accountant / Bookkeeper EDMAR AQUINO Bursary Recipient Administration SONIA FUNG Treasurer KATHY MOK
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Statement of Operations and Changes in Net Assets
As at April 30, 2013 As at April 30, 2014 As at April 30, 2015
INCOME Charitable Gifts Received $ 47,624 $ 127,505 $ 156,500 EXPENDITURES Bursary Awards $ 25,000 $ 104,750 $ 115,500 Admin and General Expenses $ 5,603 $ 7,702 $ 14,597 Fundraising Event $ 12,046 $ 15,000 EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXP. $ 17,021 $ 3,007 $ 11,403 NET ASSETS $ 17,021 $ 20,028 $ 31,431
2014 (Audited) 2015 Budget 2013 (Audited)
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