The Board of Directors and Executive host board meetings three times a year to review past and upcoming events, provincial reports and any other business related to CCSTA and Catholic education in Canada. This is this month’s highlights.
Justice James Higgins Award
The Board is pleased to announce that Joan Carr from Alberta is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Justice James Higgins Award. The award is given annually to an individual or group who have made an outstanding contribution to Catholic education in Canada.
Ms. Carr will be recognized posthumously at CCSTA’s 2022 virtual AGM on Friday, June 3. Further details on her achievements will appear in a subsequent CCSTA newsletter, and in the 2022 AGM/Convention program.
CCSTA will also take the opportunity to recognize past winners, the Sisters of St. Ann St. Joseph’s Community (2020) and Archbishop Donald Bolen (2021), as we have been unable to do so in person.
AGM/Convention Updates
be held virtually
Due to COVID-19, the in-person 2022 AGM/Convention in Blue Mountain, ON was cancelled. Thank you once again to Simcoe Muskoka CDSB and CSC Mon Avenir for all their hard work planning this event.
A virtual AGM/Convention will be held on June 2-3, 2022. There will be no charge for either day.
Keynote presentations will be held on June 2, with the AGM business meeting at 11:00 a.m. (EST) on June 3. Information will be posted on the CCSTA website closer to the date and email invitations will be sent directly to all trustees.
The board approved the theme for the virtual AGM – “Communion, Participation and Witness”.
Planning is underway for the 2023 AGM/Convention in Saskatoon, SK.
Government Relations
Garnett Genuis, MP for the Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan (AB) riding, once again hosted a roundtable discussion with the Board. The topics focused on issues related to Religious Freedom, including possible threats to the charitable status of Religious Organizations. Also discussed we’re ways to get students interested in politics and to consider it as possible career. Many thanks to Garnett Genuis for a very engaging discussion.
Due to the nation-wide protests, meetings with MPs were postponed. The board will reschedule these meeting for early spring.
Communications
A key focus over the last number of years has been to increase CCSTA’s communications utilizing a number of different mediums. We have had a total revision of our website, created both English and French twitter accounts, increased usage of Constant Contact, and revamped our newsletter format, to name a few.
In order to ensure a consistent message across all platforms, and to keep up with the increased workload, the CCSTA Board approved an updated Communications Strategy, and the hiring of Catherine Burnham as CCSTA’s new Communications Officer. Ms. Burnham is a faith filled Catholic with extensive experience in Communications and Catholic education. Ms. Burnham is also a past director of CCSTA, representing the Atlantic Region.
Toonies for Tuition
Consistent with charitable foundations across the country, the campaign saw total donations drop over the past few years. Given that many schools were closed for a good portion of the year, this isn’t surprising. That said, a total of $27,000 has been raised for distribution this fall, with any additional funds being received between now and May to be added to the total. The funds assist families in need in provinces with limited or no public funding for Catholic Education.
A big thank you to all who were able to contribute, as you can appreciate the need for support is greater than ever.
If you are able to hold a fundraising campaign and are looking for ideas, please visit the Toonies for Tuition page for more information.
Endowment Fund Committee
The Endowment Fund Committee, arms length from CCSTA, is responsible for reviewing and allocating the tuition assistance funds received from the Toonies for Tuition campaign.
Gerald Bernkevitch (AB) and Delmer Wagner’s (SK) appointments to the committee were approved at the board meeting. Marino Gazzola’s (ON) appointment was approved at a previous meeting. Tom D’Amico (ON) will continue as Chair.
CCSTA would like to thank the committee members for their willingness to serve on this important committee.
Audited Financial Statements
The auditor’s report and financial statements were received by the board for review at the AGM.
In 2021, CCSTA incurred a profit of $49,862, largely due to meetings being held virtually as a consequence of COVID-19.
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