2021 Advocacy Committee Annual Report
| Committee Name: | Advocacy Committee |
| Committee Chair: | Danny Bourne |
| Committee Members: | Eloho Agatemor,
Mike McGinnis,
Jack Panozzo,
Corry Wink |
What accomplishments/successes has the program had in the one-year period from January 1 to December 31, 2021?
The committee met regularly by electronic means.
- Continued to monitor emerging social issues such as systemic racism, vulnerability of residents of long-term care facilities, and poverty reduction strategies.
- Quarterly newsletters informed Vincentians about the issues and provided opportunities to become involved.
- Prepared two Let’s Talk documents about racism to help conferences start meaningful conversations about this issue.
- Responded to the poverty reduction consultation on behalf of the Society and gave input to the Ontario pre-budget consultation.
- Participated in the preparation of a successful webinar about Basic Income put on by the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Committee (ISARC).
What opportunities are there to focus on this fiscal year?
- Cooperate with the National Action Plan on Housing by preparing materials for Vincentians to use to advocate for housing issues.
- Working with Advocacy Circle developing Canada wide advocacy responses for Vincentians.
What challenges has the program encountered in the past year?
The pandemic made face to face meetings impossible and so pamphlets and other materials could not be presented directly to Vincentians. Membership of committee needs to be renewed.
Working with Regional to determine role of Advocacy Committee within the Public Policy and Education committee mandate
How will we deal with these challenges this fiscal year?
- Continue to use the quarterly newsletter as its main communication tool.
- Work with the National Action Plan to promote awareness and advocacy about housing issues.
- Recruit 2 or 3 new members to rejuvenate committee.
Financial information
$2,200 was spent for the annual membership with ISARC in 2020.
We expect to again spend $2,200 for the ISARC annual membership as it is beneficial to be a member with this group.
Submitted by:
Danny Bourne, Chair
