Vanier Institute of the Family -- Annual General Meeting

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Annual General Meeting
President's Report

Ottawa, May 14, 2010

Good morning and welcome to the 46^th Annual General Meeting of the Vanier Institute of the Family. My name is Verna Bruce and I have the wonderful honour of being the current President of the Institute.

Bonjour. Il me donne un très grand plaisir d’être ici avec vous ce matin, en tant que Présidente de l’Institut Vanier de la Famille.

As we look across the Canadian landscape, there are very few organizations left that can speak about issues that affect Canadian families in all their diversity. Over the past few years, we have seen the demise of many policy forums and think tanks that dealt with social policy issues. As government funding has been removed, so too has the ability of many policy groups to continue to operate. In the current fiscal environment, it is difficult for groups that deliver front line services to raise funds, and almost impossible for non profit organizations that develop policy papers which inform decision makers and law makers.

Past Vanier President and current Board member Dr. Carol Matusicky has often been heard to say that “There are so few national tables left where people from each Province and the North can come together to discuss issues affecting families, and how families are coping and growing. Most of the tables have become regional in their representation”.
At the Vanier Institute of the Family, we will be forever grateful for the vision of Their Excellencies Governor General Georges P. Vanier and Mme Pauline Vanier. They hosted the Canadian Conference on the Family at Government House in 1964 and in the following year, the Institute began its work.

“Governor General Vanier’s vision to create an enduring organization dedicated to the cause of our society through the family was supported by the leadership of Canada’s renowned neuroscientist, Dr. Wilder Penfield. Basic to his commitment to the role of the Vanier Institute of the Family was his belief that it is the family that shapes us as individuals and ultimately serves as the essential cornerstone of our society.

It was the combination of Vanier’s vision, Penfield’s determination and the support of Lester B. Pearson that succeeded in the creation of a legacy that they left to the Canadian people. The tangible expression of that legacy took the form of a six million dollar endowment fund representing the generosity of governments, foundations, businesses, faith groups and individuals. It is these funds which, well-invested, have grown over the years and continue to support the core programs of the Institute.”

Legacy is not only financial, but also one of credibility – a trusted source of information about Canadian families and their issues. Thanks to people like Beryl Plumptree, the Vanier Institute of the Family looks at families from the perspective of how people in a family function together, and not what they look like.

So, with this history and this legacy, the challenge for the Vanier Institute of the Family in 2010 is to ensure that we live out our responsibility, to our founders and also to Canadian families. We must continue to speak strongly and independently for Canadian families in all their diversity. How to do this effectively will be the subject of many conversations over the next year.

The activities of the Institute over the past year have been well documented in the Annual Report; copies are available at the back of the room or on our website at www.vifamily.ca. I will highlight a few of them here.

The Contemporary Family Trends papers focused on work and family life and balance, and on our children, their roles in our communities and their use of unstructured time. Transition magazine, which has been published for 40 years, had articles related to 4 themes: motherhood, household finances, children, and community. The work around family finances was an important theme throughout the year, as the economic situation continues to affect families.

Fascinating Families is a monthly web series, this year containing further reflections on the themes of finances, work, mothers, and community.

The Current State of Family Finances: 2008 Report by Roger Sauve was again a key product for the Institute and generated tremendous interest. The findings on the impact of the recession, and the levels of debt being carried by families generated much media attention and concern.

Clarence and Katherine prepared a submission to the Minister of Finance and presented to the Standing Committee on Finance Pre-Budget Consultations. This will become an annual priority and a way for the Vanier Institute of the Family to inform government and Parliament on the issues facing families.

Clarence and other members of the staff presented at a number of conferences and forums over the year and across the country – this is a great opportunity to educate others about the issues facing real families.

Much of the work by staff over the past year is not yet visible, but soon will be with the completion of 2 major projects.

Families Count: Profiling Canada’s Families IV will be available this summer and officially launched in September. It will provide a valuable snapshot of Canadian families, the trends and the key issues that have an impact on family life.

The VIF website is undergoing a complete overhaul to modernize and update our presence on the web. It will open up our work to even more visitors, from students to policy makers, in our effort to inform and educate others who are interested in family issues. We are now on Facebook and Twitter, as we learn to use social marketing to connect with Canadians.
Despite the roller coaster stock markets and the effect on our Endowment Fund, Clarence and the staff were able to bring the budget for 2009 in with a small surplus instead of the planned deficit at the end of the year. Thanks to all of you for your care and careful stewardship of the financial resources you have to work with.

At this time, I would like to express great thanks and appreciation to the staff of the Vanier Institute of the Family. When I look at the list of accomplishments over the year, it always amazes me that so much is produced by such a small staff, in combination with many wonderful contributors. Clarence Lochhead, as Executive Director, has put together a strong team of both new and experienced people. To Clarence, Sara, Paula, Jenni, Katherine, Jennifer and Lucie, I would like to express appreciation from myself and the Board for the fabulous support you have provided and the great work you have done for the Institute. The expression “Small but mighty” must have been meant for you.

This is a year of transition for the Board of the Vanier Institute. Just as many organizations are seeing their experienced people retire, we are losing 5 of our long serving Board members today. I would like to take a few minutes today to publicly acknowledge just a few of their many contributions. Going from west to east...

Sue Edelman from the Yukon has provided a constant reminder that the work of the Vanier must reflect all regions of the country, including the North. She has been the continual and consistent voice reminding us of the issues faced by Aboriginal families and by families dealing with mental health challenges.

David Northcott from Manitoba brought his front line experience with food banks to the table each time we met. As we were grappling with the effects of the latest recession on families, David reminded us that many Canadian families have never recovered from the last one. His work with Canada’s poorest families and his concern for the many families that are marginalized in our country was an important influence.

Kerry Daly from Ontario is well known for his work on issues facing fathers. He gave the keynote presentation at the event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Vanier Institute of the Family and has been a driving influence on the program agenda ever since. Kerry has a unique blend of academic knowledge and administrative experience that shaped a planning cycle for the research program of the Institute, and which helped us to focus on a few key priorities each year.

We have two Board members who are leaving the Board for the second time.
Carol Matusicky from British Columbia has been a member of the Vanier Institute since 1973, a Board member for 15 years, and served as President of the Institute from 2000 to 2003. Carol has worked with families over her entire career and has brought this wealth of experience to the Board and to the staff of the Institute. Her experience with non-profit organizations and her leadership talents were a great asset to the Vanier. At a board dinner last night, we were happy to present Carol with the “Never give up” Award.

Marie Vaillancourt from Quebec has been the Treasurer of the Institute twice, on the Investment Committee for 15 years and for more years than anyone else. Her financial prudence, experience and knowledge have allowed the Vanier to manage its resources very carefully while at the same time, to plan for the future and for the unexpected. Her advice to create special funds in good times, including the Georges P. Vanier Fund, will ensure that the Institute will always have sufficient funds to continue to exist and to advocate for families in all their diversity. Last night we presented Marie with a “Keep us in the Black” Award.
You have all made unique and important contributions to the Institute and to issues affecting all Canadian families. Thank You so much.

As we say goodbye to these great Canadians, we will be welcoming four new Board members in a few minutes. We will hear more about them from the Chair of the Nominations Committee, but I am pleased to advise that they include: Dr. Hillel Goelman from British Columbia, Donald Benham from Manitoba, Nathalie St-Amour from Quebec and the Honourable Marilyn Trenholme Counsell from New Brunswick.

We are so fortunate to have a strong Board of Directors, with each person bringing their own expertise, passion and commitment to issues affecting families. Thank you to each of you for the year behind us, and I look forward to working with each of you in the year ahead.

Thank you.

Verna Bruce
President