Highlights of 2009 Annual Report

Full report available to members upon written request at: hac_executivedirector@yahoo.ca

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Fellow Humanist Canada members,

It’s hard to believe it has been a year since our last AGM in Toronto. Our 2008 conference, held across the street from the Royal Ontario Museum exhibit, Darwin: The Evolution Revolution, we so proudly supported, was arguably our best yet. Over a two-day celebration of our 40th anniversary, featured 12 acclaimed Canadian and American speakers and presented Dr Henry Morgentaler, our first and longest standing president (1968-1999), with a Lifetime Achievement Award designed by our Executive Director, Kathy Meidell. While our 2009 AGM is a smaller affair, we are pleased to be holding it in the Maritimes for the first time in Humanist Canada history. We are a national association and we have set as one of or our goal, building bridges into regions where we have vital members but so far, limited national presence.

In October 2010, we will be in Montreal, co-hosting the Atheist Alliance International Conference, but our AGM will be very different. Next year for the first time, we anticipate an attendance record as we move to an electronic meeting format. As technology improves, so will our ability to be a more democratic association. Anyone with access to a telephone or a computer will be able to attend the 2010 AGM. There will be more on this transition in the months to come.

GOVERNANCE

As you are aware we have spent the last few years trying to incorporate a Federation style of governance into the working rules of Humanist Canada. This has proved to be a much more daunting task than first anticipated. I want to thank Doug Thomas and Barrie Webster for their help with the initial model you all voted on and more recently to Kathy Meidell for steering us through the legislative issues surrounding a wholesale change to our bylaws.

I will start by saying that the bylaws you have received in advance of this AGM are very different from the proposals you have seen in the past. The necessities of Canadian legislation and the practicalities of running a national association have mandated several changes. The changes were explained in detail in the package you received so that you would be able to make an informed decision for voting at the AGM.

In a nutshell, the original concept of two parallel governing bodies was turned down by Industry Canada. It was then suggested that a committee similar to the National Council could be adopted, but that the role of such a committee did not belong in the bylaws. The board rejected this approach, as it did not answer the members’ obvious choice for elected regional representation. The best compromise, therefore, is the one you before you: a Board comprised of the executive officers along with regional directors.

After four years of writing and rewriting, feedback from our members at three consecutive AGMs and online polls, and reviews and discussions with Industry Canada, and in accordance with laws and practices governing how corporations must govern themselves (yes we are legally a corporation) the bylaws you see are the best fit in the opinion of the Board and as such we recommend they be adopted.

INITIATIVES

As a national association with members and a Board spread across a vast geographic area, meetings among members continue to be our greatest challenge. For this reason, we are planning for new technologies like Skype, to allow for virtual meetings for both Board and committees. This will enhance our abilities to be more dynamic in our deliberations leading to more action and we will save money by not regularly transporting members across the country.

Our transit campaign, launched in late February 2009, saw the large poster ad "You Can be Good Without God", designed by Kathy Meidell and Linda Shaw and Kathy Meidell showcased in one of the busiest Toronto subway stations and garnered a lot of media attention. This led to a spike in website hits and general public awareness which translated to an increase in new members. Although the campaign was stalled while we fought with transit authorities in BC and Halifax over their various interpretations of what constitutes “religious” advertising, a recent Supreme Court ruling in British Columbia has paved the way for us to re-igniting our campaign again and begin advertising there in the new year. We will know more about this in October.

Also, an advertising company in BC has offered us a special rate to advertise during the 2010 Olympics which will take place in Vancouver. With the entire world watching Vancouver for 14 days, it would give us a unique opportunity to promote Humanist Canada, not just to Canadians, but to the world. To make this happen we will be launching another donation drive to fund these ads. Our goal is to raise $20,000. Help us move forward with our biggest publicity push ever and raise awareness about Humanism in Canada.

Our most successful initiative to-date has been our Officiant program in Ontario. Since 1996, the Officiants have been doing an excellent job of providing Humanist ceremonies to both members and the general public. To their credit, they have done so with very little input from the Board of Humanist Canada. The current board has taken up the challenge of educating themselves about the program and will be working much more closely with the Officiants to improve what is already our most visible program. It is our ambition to see growth of the program across Canada. To this end I will be consulting with the Officiant Program Committee and the Officiants themselves to see how we best situate ourselves to expand into other jurisdictions. Part of the growing process will be looking at starting similar committees in each province, as marriage is a provincial jurisdiction. More information will be provided in the months to come.

I will also be discussing with the Officiants, the idea of expanding the reach of our program to include Humanist Counselors in the military, hospitals and schools. It is the Board’s feeling that anywhere religion currently offers services to people, Humanists should be there as well to provide the same services to the non-believers.

OUR MISSION

“To promote the separation of religion from public policy and foster the development of reason, compassion and critical thinking for all Canadians through secular education and community support.”

This simple statement is what covers everything we do over the next five years. But what do we do, we are so often asked? Evolving out of the Strategic Planning session the Board undertook last year we will be focusing on 3 programs. 5 ideas for programming were discussed and we will be sending these proposals to our members for voting and feedback.
These programs will not only inform the members and committees about what we are about but will serve as a calling card for stakeholders outside the organization.

So enough with the new-age management-speak, what are we going to do? That, is up to you. Depending on the results of the poll, and our legal obligations, the Board will identify the programs we feel are best suited to Humanist Canada’s mission, vision and values. Following the AGM, we will be distributing this list to all our members and you will be asked to rate these programs in order; the result will be a list of programs and committees that will drive Humanist Canada over to a exciting future.

2010 ELECTIONS

Next year is an election year for Humanist Canada and the best thing that could happen for our association would be for a real, meaningful election to take place. We are not talking about a minimum of people stepping forward and being acclaimed, but a serious election where nominees can put forward their expertise, interests and ideas and the members can choose those candidates they think will best serve their needs.

Too many of us believe they are not leadership material. Nothing could be further from the truth. As Humanists we do not adhere to the “us vs. them” mentality we see in politics today. We are all part of a greater common purpose and we need people from every walk of our constituency to come forward with their skill, ideas and enthusiasm. With an expanded Board, with local representation and with a renewed purpose under our Vision and Mission Statements, we all have something we can contribute to building on the values we all so firmly believe in.

Nominations will be different this time around with an additional call for specific regional representatives. This will allow us to spread the work around more efficiently and bring new life to regional associations that up until now have not felt part of the national association.

Never before in history have we been in a position to take a meaningful role in the way our country and our society is formed. Never before has it been more important. It would be a shame if years from now we looked back and asked ourselves why we missed the chance. We have the opportunity, we have the skills and we have the resources. The question is: do we have the drive and the will? Let us not disappoint our heirs, let us put Humanism on the level of social discourse it not only deserves, but also demands.

Thank you,
Pat O’Brien

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TREASURER'S REPORT

My name is Linda Shaw, and I joined the Board in the Spring of 2008 as Secretary. I assumed the position of Treasurer in March of 2009. I hold an MBA from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Business, and spent time in the private for-profit sector, responsible for the finances of a biotech company located at Toronto General Hospital. I am still educating myself on the fine points of non-profit finances, but the fundamentals still hold: a non-profit that ignores the necessity of controlling costs, of focusing on and marketing its strengths and generating growth will accomplish very little. Humanist Canada has been putting in place the required organizational structures, and has great potential to accomplish its goals and expand its influence in the future.

In November 2008, Lucien Khodeir was hired as Financial Administrator. Lucien is a Certified General Accountant with his own consulting firm and experience as a tax auditor with the provincial government. He has been invaluable in bringing the books of HC up to corporate standards, providing monthly statements, assisting with the budget, coordinating the annual Review, offering professional advice when needed and researching points of CRA law where not-for-profits are concerned.

Equally important, the governance of HC is being been reorganized to conform to standard principles and practices of corporate governance by redefining the position of Executive Director as that of chief executive, responsible, among many other things, for oversight of the organization’s financial activity. No ED can function coherently, as was previously assumed, without having oversight of revenues and responsibility for expenditures. Now, financial oversight of HC is three-tiered: Executive Director, Financial Administrator and Treasurer.

2008-2009

The books of Humanist Canada for the fiscal year 2008-2009 have been reviewed by Tony Postlethwaite CGA, as was sanctioned by the membership at last year’s Annual General Meeting. His review is included in this Annual Report.

Expenditures for this year included the one-time extraordinary cost of the 40th Anniversary Conference, the AGM, and the Strategic Planning session. Our disbursement quota was met with the $36,000 education grant to the Royal Ontario Museum for its Darwin exhibit. These events are responsible for the year-end deficit and will not recur.

Revenues were enhanced by conference earnings of over $16,000, and a correlated rise in membership as the result of this very successful conference and its attendant publicity. However, both donations and interest income from invested principle were reduced. HC received no bequests in 08-09, and our principle was drawn down to finance the conference. In the final analysis, absent the extraordinary expenses detailed above, HC income and expenses were at breakeven.

2009-2010

While breakeven is not bad, it’s not good enough for an organization to move forward. To that end, costs must be cut, and revenues increased. For this fiscal year, HC has drawn up an annual budget to control its costs while it builds its revenues. This budget will be revisited quarterly to monitor our progress.

Costs have been pared considerably. A much less expensive teleconference company has been engaged for Board communications. Banking costs are reduced through cancellation of unused credit card processes Expensing by directors, staff and committees is being re-organized with pre-defined limits. The expensive paper-printed newsletter has been re-designed as a digital publication that can be issued with greater flexibility and at virtually no cost. Basic office expenses have been limited. Numerous old, unused accounts have been cancelled. Most dramatically to our bottom line will be the launch of virtual AGMs, a method that has been approved by Industry Canada. AGMs cost HC in the realm of $10,000 annually, largely in transportation and hotel costs for directors. Yet they remain largely inaccessible to the vast majority of members. The virtual AGM will slash costs while at the same time allowing participation by every single member wherever they are. What we don’t waste in unnecessary spending can be directed to programs and marketing that will help build the organization.

Revenue for HC comes from several sources. Membership remains one of the most important and most stable. Membership fees have been re-structured for greater simplicity, easier tracking, cost coverage and growth. Dues from the Officiant Program also provide revenue, and the growth of this program is an HC priority. Interest income from our invested principle is a vital source of stable revenue, and it is mandatory that this principle be protected and grown, not spent down. Annual funding drives to help grow this principle will be initiated this year. Foundation and government grants and funding are also essential sources of non-profit financing which HC has not previously pursued. However, to access these sources, non-profits must have defined and eligible programs in place. At the time of writing, a list of proposed programs, the result of our Strategic Planning process, has been prepared and will be sent to our membership for selection. The programs they choose, in addition to the Officiant Program, will become the business of HC for the coming years. When you ask, in what business is HC, these programs will be your answer. Lastly, donations from extraordinarily generous individuals and organizations have been perhaps our single biggest source of income. We hope that, over the coming year, as members see how we are moving forward, they will continue to be as generous. Their gifts will be put to good and productive use in the interests of Humanism.

Finally, the books for the fiscal year 2009-2010 will be audited. After considering several accounting firms, I would recommend the firm of McKerlie Accounting Services of Waterloo, Ontario. This firm presented an estimate of $2500 to $3500 for a full audit, which is reasonable for a non-profit with HC’s level of revenue. With the approval of the membership, this firm will be engaged early in the new year.

Linda J. Shaw BA, MBA
Secretary/Treasurer

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Dear Friends and Fellow Humanists

Over the past year, I am pleased to announce that impressive strides have been made by Humanist Canada to increase awareness of Humanism and our organization.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Building on the success of our 40th anniversary convention in 2008, we decided to launch another speaker’s conference, albeit it on a smaller scale, on April 18, 2009 in honour of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth. This conference took place in Toronto and was in the form of a moderated debate titled: Evolution of Ethics: Science vs Faith. The debate featured the following four panelists: George Dvorsky, popular futurist and writer; Michael Coren, outspoken Christian television and radio personality; Jean Saindon, award-winning professor of Natural Science and Science Technology; and Tony Costa, Ordained minister and recognized speaker for Campus for Christ. Our featured speaker was Christopher diCarlo, acclaimed advocate for critical thinking and Humanism and our 2008 Humanist of the Year award recipient. Our moderator was Doug Thomas, a longtime HAC member, author and popular English teacher. This event was successful in attracting an attendance of 100 people, generating donations, and the increased public awareness boosted membership growth.

MARKETING

Earlier in 2009, we tried our hand at large-scale advertising for the first time. Seeing all the media buzz surrounding the atheist ads posted on buses in London, England, we came up with our own version for public transit advertising in February 2009. Thanks to Elka Enola of Oakville, Ontario, who came up with the slogan, “You Can Be Good Without God”, Linda Shaw and I designed a catchy poster to showcase the HC slogan.

Considering potential drawbacks of small ads on subway cars, we decided to go bigger with a large backlit poster in the popular and busy Queens Park subway station. This endeavour was successful in attracting public interest, stimulating donations, and boosting membership growth.

As branding plays a crucial role in successful marketing, earlier this year Linda and I also developed a new, fresher look for Humanist Canada. We designed a new logo, website banner, newsletter, and corporate seal. All stationery and promotional materials for Humanist Canada are now consistent in the message we convey to encourage instant recognition.

FUNDRAISING & DONATIONS

Although our members have been generous in their donations and we are very grateful for their support, we will need significantly more funds in the following year to develop our programs and activities. Here are just a few of the programs we are researching for grant opportunities:

• Trillium Foundation
• Canada Foundation for Innovation
• Women’s Programs Funding
• Job Creation Partnerships
• Workplace Skills Initiative
• Small Business Internship Program
• Multiculturalism Program
• Business and Regional Growth Program

In addition to applying for increased funding, we will need volunteers to help out with new programs and activities. You can download the new volunteer form off our website at: www.humanistcanada.com/hac-volunteer-form/ or we can email you a copy.

To facilitate online giving, general donations will go through Canada Helps rather than PayPal, starting in September 2009. The same percentage cut (3%) applies and security for online transactions apply, but Canada Helps has certain advantages over PayPal: it tracks donations, sends tax receipts to donors, and electronically deposits money directly into our bank account. Further, it is a more cost- and time-effective way to process online donations. There are no set up fee or annual charges and we would only be charged when a donation is actually made, thereby ensuring we are not paying for services not being used. Canada Helps has a solid reputation: it services over 80,000 Canadian charities.

NAME CHANGE

Last October, a poll was developed to determine members’ opinions on the proposal to change our organization name from Humanist Association of Canada to Humanist Canada. The results were as follows: out of 204 votes cast, 65 were in favour of Humanist Association of Canada and 139 were in favour of Humanist Canada. This results to 68.2% in favour of the new name. The new name has been added as a trade name. For legal intents and purposes, we are still the Humanist Association of Canada.

CANADIAN HUMANIST NEWS

We were saddened to see our stalwart newsletter editor, Bill Broderick, retire from CHN earlier this year. Bill’s devotion to CHN was unparalled and we appreciate his efforts, time and commitment and that of his team.

On the bright side, the new CHN (unveiled June 2009) has a new look and is now being delivered electronically. If you could help out with CHN, please email me at: hac_executivedirector@yahoo.ca

GOVERNANCE

A significant part of the new bylaws being voted on is our new Board structure. In extensive consultation with Industry Canada and in accordance with proper governance practices, we are pleased to announce that a modified federation style of governance will be possible after the 2009 AGM.

To assist new Board members in becoming familiar with the various roles and duties of Officers and Directors, and to provide a reference tool for incumbent Board members, I prepared a guide on proper governance practices and procedures for Humanist Canada. This document was presented to the Board on May 7 after extensive research, including information gathered by the Institute on Governance (an independent national organization whose mandate it is to educate not-for-profits and the general public about proper governance), and Altruvest Charitable Services (registered Canadian charity whose mission is to enhance the governance skills of charitable sector boards and other leaders, fostering more effective charities and stronger Canadian communities as many lack a basic understanding of their roles and responsibilities) and in consultation with Industry Canada. Relevant parts of the guide can also be used as a template to create quick reference guides for committees and programs as needed.

ADVOCACY

Many press releases were prepared and sent to the media covering a range of issues and announcements. The following releases can be viewed on the HC website:

• Why Are Churches Above the Law?
• Transit Campaign
• Canada Needs a Real Minister of Science
• Evolution of Ethics: Science vs Faith
• Good Without God Campaign Hits Toronto
• DENIED AGAIN: TransLink Blocks Humanist Ad
• YOU CAN BE GOOD WITHOUT GOD
• Humanist Bus Rolls into Canada
• Open Secularism: Letter to Election Candidates
• Remembrance Day services for Humanists
• No Prayers in Legislature
• Human Rights Not Up for Debate
• Christian Leader Wants Gays Executed
• Darwin & Humanism: 40 Years of Evolution

It is our hope that more members will take an increased interest and role in scouting the media to boost our efforts of raising awareness of Humanism and secularism across the country.

WEBSITE

Online Bookstore

Through an offer with Amazon.ca, I created our first online bookstore on our website. Up until recently, we were receiving 4% of all books ordered online through Amazon. Regrettably, Amazon has recently decided to discontinue the percentage cut for its affiliate organizations. We will be looking at similar services in autumn.

Design

Our new new logo and layout was implemented in May 2009.

Statistics

Traffic Summary per Month (Sept 1, 2008 – Aug 1, 2009)

Average page views per month: 11,117
Average unique visitors per month: 3,234

Page Views
Aug 2009: 79
Jul 2009: 7,258
Jun 2009: 5,413
May 2009: 6,007
Apr 2009: 11,318
Mar 2009: 20,675
Feb 2009: 17,308
Jan 2009: 13,600
Dec 2008: 7,965
Nov 2008: 12,089
Oct 2008: 12,125
Sept 2008: 8,538

Unique Visitors
Aug 2009: 18
Jul 2009: 1,691
Jun 2009: 1,304
May 2009: 1,576
Apr 2009: 4,184
Mar 2009: 8,429
Feb 2009: 3,681
Jan 2009: 2,981
Dec 2008: 2,531
Nov 2008: 3,021
Oct 2008: 3,368
Sept 2008: 2,811

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MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT

MEMBERSHIP

The purpose of the Membership Committee is to manage a membership recruitment program that includes attracting new members, retaining existing members, increasing awareness of membership benefits, and promoting the activities of HC. Committee members are: Dorothy Hays (Vice President), Linda Shaw (Secretary/Treasurer), Kathy Meidell (Executive Director) and Lucien Khodeir (Finance Administrator)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Committee Chair – Dorothy Hays
- Sends welcome letters to new members
- Sends membership packages

• Executive Director – Kathy Meidell
- Creates membership & promotional material for members and general public
- Works with Membership Secretary on membership or committee matters
- Works with Treasurer on financial matters
- Reviews and updates membership database as needed
- Prepares regular membership reports
- Oversees work and manages Committee staff and volunteers

• Financial Administrator – Lucien Khodeir
- Processes credit cards, cheques and cash, and deposits funds in HC bank account
- Prepares monthly financial statements

Members by Regional Group (total 802 as of June 30, 2009)

HAC: 370, BCHA: 67, HAO: 60, HAT: 56, SOFREE: 56, COHA: 23, HAM: 22, VSHA: 19, WHS: 14, SSHC: 14, HPHC: 14, HALA: 14, SHNS: 11, QHA: 10, HAS: 9, TBH: 8, NSH: 6, SCSHA: 5, INT: 5, GBH: 5, MLQ: 4, CDRH: 4, KHA: 3, HAP: 2, GTAH: 1

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OFFICIANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE - ONTARIO (OPC-O) REPORT

August 2009

Current committee members: Age Smies, Gail McCabe, Walter Ewing, Peter Moller, Laura-Lee Balkwill
Governing Officials: Pat O’Brien and Age Smies

Last year’s report was very detailed, and therefore, it will suffice to report only on those facts that are new.

Age Smies is the current chair and for him, it was a return to committee work as he also served on the OPC’s predecessor, the “Ceremonies Committee.” A few months ago, he assumed the chair’s position after Gail McCabe stepped down for a variety of personal reasons. Laura-Lee Balkwill is the Board’s appointee, with full voting privileges (this is a change). She also became a certified Humanist Officiant this year.

The OPC-O held a training session in March, under the direction of Ken Goldberg. Four new Officiants were the result of this training: Laura-Lee Balkwill - Kingston, Murray Whitehorn - Brooklin, Dey Brownlee - Toronto, Michelle Ballow - Ottawa.

Two Officiants retired: Dan Mayo and Dan Morrison both from the Ottawa area. Officiant Neil Hodgkins passed away suddenly and is leaving a large void in the Windsor area.

Currently, three Candidate Officiants are awaiting training. A training session will take place as soon as possible. OPC-O has decided that whenever we have three candidates, we will try to offer the course.

Note: As the training program has been standardized over the years, our trainers would feel rather comfortable offering the course where-ever requested.

This year, the annual conference will take place in Sudbury. The theme will be “Professional Affairs” with workshops in voice production, client care, and running a small business. As of today, it looks like this PD program will be self-supporting, as it has been in the past. As Officiants, we are proud that on an annual basis we contribute, through our licensing fees, to the financial well being of HAC.

Although the efforts of the Officiants did not seem to realize an increase in HAC members, together the Officiants performed 784 ceremonies. Officiants therefore exposed a few thousand people to terms like Humanism, Secular, and definitions of humanism. In general, they showed that one can have a respectful funeral, wedding, or child naming without the presence of imaginary friends.

Age Smies
Governing Official