Meals on Wheels London, Ontario

Message from the President

Report for 2010-2011
     
The year ended March 31, 2011 was one marked by a number of challenges and accomplishments for Meals on Wheels London. Over the course of the year, we replaced the core of our information technology system with a new server provided by Protek. Protek also became our supplier of computer support for ongoing operations. While the transition to this critical new resource took somewhat longer than we had initially envisioned, I can now report to you that the new system is running smoothly and we have a solid platform to work from for the next several years. We received grants from the Province in the amount of $35,000 to cover the capital cost of this investment.
 
Also during the year, we moved the accounting system to a new software suite know as Great Plains. This package which was provided to us at minimal cost through the Ministry of Health replaced a basic system and has the flexibility and capacity to handle our growth for the foreseeable future. In addition the software integrates with the Ministry’s reporting package. Like the move to the new computer system, this process was not as smooth as we had hoped. However we met the challenges of the transition and are now successfully running the new software.
 
The financial position of the organization remained very strong over the year. To take advantage of our liquid position and to provide for both the existing needs and for the future growth we see for the organization, the Board has made a strategic decision to investigate the possibility of acquiring a building that will be the future home of Meals on Wheels London. We intend to invest roughly half of our available free funds in this asset. Over the next several months an ad hoc committee will work through a defined process to identify and acquire a new home for Meals on Wheels London. We are excited about this challenge and recognize that there will be much work to be done over the next year to accomplish the acquisition and relocation.
 
In February 2011, a number of Board members attended a celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year at the London Convention Centre. We were the charity of choice of the Chinese Canadian National Council the host of the event and they raised $8,000 through the event which was gratefully received by Meals on Wheels London. Special thanks to returning Board member Ginny Poon for linking the two organizations.
 
Completing their terms as Board members this year are three people whose council and wisdom I have enjoyed over my time with the Board. Ted Williams, Sherene Davidson and Alan Johnston will all be sorely missed. I have encouraged each of these people to consider coming back to the Board at a future date. Also retiring this year following 25 years of service will be our Accountant Pauline Schmidt. She too will be greatly missed.
 
In closing, I would like to thank our 355 volunteers who do such an outstanding job in enriching the lives of thousands of seniors, without you we could not fulfill our mission of offering nutrition and transportation services to people with the character and desire to live full and independent lives in their own homes.
 
Leigh Folliott
President and Board Chair