Members Section

President's Report for 2008

The efforts of the organization this year have centred on two recurring themes - deficit financing and the incorporation centennial celebration. In 2007 our expenses exceeded our revenues and last year at this time we passed a deficit budget anticipating another difficult year. We allocated no funds for centennial celebrations and hoped we could tap into the largess of the Junction Business Improvement Area (JBIA).

We had already taken the necessary steps to increase membership fees to $20 and $30 for families. Over the course of the year the directors identified a number of cost cutting initiatives. Our email and web site are expensive but very important. Our phone line in the office was determined to cost more money than it was worth and the phone number now rings in my home. This has resulted in our providing a more rapid response to inquiries. On one occasion a reporter required information in one working day to meet his deadline and the Society was able to help and get recognition in a major Toronto Star article. The directors recognized that we could balance the books by eliminating honoraria payed to our auditor and our newsletter layout editor. They were approached and agreed to do the work pro bono in 2009. I would like to extend the organization's appreciation to Philip Creighton and Pat Trusty for assisting us achieve sustainability. Another cost saving scheme will be implemented in 2009. By folding the Leader and Recorder in half and inserting it into a 4.5 x 8.5 envelope we can reduce the postage by half. This will increase the work load of the mailing committee and may not be viable.

Meanwhile, as a result of a very successful November fundraiser at Latitude 44 Gallery and some generous donations by members and the claiming of GST rebate for the past four years, revenues exceeded expenses for 2008. We are facing the new year with confidence and a balanced budget.

The centennial celebration was well documented in the four issues of the Leader and Recorder in 2008 so I will not take the time to record the incredible number of events in which the Society participated. Instead I would like to reflect on how the Society has grown as a result of the centennial. The considerable coverage in the local newspapers (Snap and the Villager) and the Toronto Star certainly has increased our credibility. Although our exposure on the street and in the media has not translated into significantly enlarged membership, it certainly has attracted some important local talent as new members and they will strengthen our ability to pursue our raison d'etre.

This year with the support of the The Junction Forum for Arts and Culture, a creation of The JBIA to run the September Arts Festival, we have developed three new walking tours. During the Arts Festival members of the association and neighbours dawned historic costumes to bring to life some legends of the Junction. Having returned they are taking up permanent residence. The JBIA has also received a huge amount of publicity related to the centennial and the neighbourhood is prospering with a renewed sense of identity. We can take pride in the fact that we (principally Neil Ross and his able assistant Cara Reeves) initiated the centennial celebration from which so many have benefitted.

I would like to thank the board of directors, in particular, Doug Hain, who took on the role of vice president in 2002 and has always been there to assist. He is stepping aside to attract new blood to the executive. I would also like to thank our many volunteers, in particular our youngest members: Kristen Buckley who is chairing the May 1 committee and David Wencer who has become an authority on the Junction due to the hundreds of hours he has devoted to research for us.

Finally, there is lots to do so please get involved.