5) Business arising from previous minutes:

a) Follow-up sheet:

i. Strategic Direction committee chaired by John Bunting had met three times. One meeting was facilitated by Wayne Stark, principal Pursuit. One meeting of the three committee members and one conference call which included Jim Berry. In John Bunting's absence, Jim presented the strategic direction for the Board's consideration:

• Strategic Initiative #1 - we must create a financially sustainable solution for Safehaven in respect of the grandfathered residents. This could include obtaining additional government funding, developing a new model of care and/or seeking additional financial support from our exiting users.
• Strategic Initiative #2 - we should locate and develop (at least) one new facility to increase the number of respite care beds we offer the community. We should not, in the period defined by these strategic initiatives, increase the number of residential beds.
• Strategic Initiative #3 - we should establish a Foundation and create a clear fundraising strategy for the Foundation that is congruent with Strategic Initiative #2 and the ongoing needs of Safehaven.
• Strategic Initiative #4 - we should conclude on our community awareness and branding initiative and ensure any steps necessary to "rebrand" Safehaven are implemented.

Board agreed to meet on October 24, 2006 at 7:00 pm to develop an action plan around the four proposed strategic directions.

ii) By-Law Committee will be meeting on October 5, 2006 with the understanding that they need to develop their recommendations and secure Board endorsement in time for a special members meeting not later than May 2007.

iii) Jim Berry shared his notes from his September 6, 2006 discussion with Clifford Goldfarb:

• His Health Law practice has provided an opinion that Safehaven does fall within the ambit of the Local Health System Integration Act (LIN). The regulations are still being finalized so the full colour of the implications can not be known at this point. One certain hazard is the legislation's provision for the Ministry to attach any endowment of a LHIN and move it as they see fit.
• The cost issue of establishing a foundation and effecting the appropriate transfers and agreements is pending resolution of item three. With respect to a trust agreement governing asset transfer to a foundation, such an agreement would provide a barrier to attachment by a third party for up to five years, and thereafter a reasonably secure bar.
• There is a potential tax issue with respect to the transfer of Bloor to a foundation. Specifically, the language of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) exemption relates specifically to children and there has been some aggressive enforcement in recent years.

Gardner Roberts uses Ben Blufarb as council on such matters. His estimate is that it would cost $2-3,000 to work with MPAC to get an opinion with respect to the exemption prior to establishing a foundation and a ruling thereafter.

RECOMMENDATION: Authorize Blufarb to pursue an opinion prior to establishing the foundation.

MOTION:		Richard Bogoroch
SECOND:		Ann LeBlanc
PENDING RATIFICATION:		That Safehaven request Gardner Roberts to pursue an opinion from MPAC prior to establishing a foundation.

6) Committee reports:

a) Membership:

MOTION:		Ann LeBlanc
SECOND:		André Laurent
PENDING RATIFICATION:		To accept the names brought forth as voting members of the Corporation for 2006-2007

b) Reputation Audit:

Val Hortiguela reported in Nancy Coldham's absence:

The committee had a number of suggestions for the Board, which will take an entire meeting to examine and explore. Val Hortiguela began the process for the Board by asking the Board to consider the following:

• The Safehaven Project for Community Living becoming Safehaven
• That we adopt the line art recently developed for thank you cards as our graphic image.
• Safehaven does not have a distinct identity in the community
• We need to get our message out to the public
• Safehaven does not define the care we are giving
• www.safehaven.to has been reserved for the organization
• Safehaven needs to have a core message and the ability to tell it's story
• Needs a spokesperson
• Keep Safehaven and invest in communication, marketing, media relations, etc.
• Asked Board to consider the tag line "special children, special people, especially normal."

There was consensus that the organization should drop "Project for Community Living" from its name and that the line art was an appropriate/effective graphic depiction. There was considerable debate regarding the proposed tag line.

Board were very appreciative of work done by Nancy Coldham, Val Hortiguela, Glenn Archinoff and Susan Gudofsky. Reputation Audit committee recommendations will be considered in light of the suggested strategic directions and the decision regarding whether Safehaven will be a children's and adults organization.

7) President's report:

President's report had been discussed throughout the meeting.

8) Any other business that may be brought forth:

(i) Executive Directors Report:

Beverley Gordon reported on the following:

• Bloor had an excellent summer experience being able to partner with the ROM and Science Centre.
• Addition of at least 2 students per location dramatically increased the summer opportunities
• Half of the summer students have been hired as Safehaven's employees
• Safehaven has been nominated by the Board of Trade for its business excellence award
• Recruitment continues for Director of Operations.
• A Bloor Family Advisory committee has been established to look at new programming initiatives, occupancy trends and getting the Safehaven respite word out on the street.
• Timber Lane had successfully complete a rigorous license process
• Safehaven is in discussions with the North York building department to remedy it's building violations
• Safehaven has resumed it's active student placement program.

Beverley Gordon has been asked to apply for a position on the Board of Ronald McDonald House Charities

9) Date of next meetings:

a. Board reminded of AGM meeting on October 17, 2006 at 6:30pm at 1173 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario.
b. Special Strategic Planning Meeting: Oct 24, 2006 at 7:00pm at 1173 Bloor St. W
c. Nov 14, 2006 at 7:00pm at 1173 Bloor St. W
d. Dec 12, 2006 at 7:00pm at 1173 Bloor St. W

10) ADJOURNMENT:
  

MOTION:		Richard Bogoroch
SECOND:		André Laurent
CARRIED:		That the meeting be adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Recorded by Beverley Gordon