55th annual general meeting€¦ · minutes of 54th annual general meeting held at 6:30pm on...
TRANSCRIPT
55th Annual General
Meeting
Covering April 1, 2017 - March 31, 2018
Wednesday, June 27th, 2018
6:00p.m.
Casa Dante Lodge 19
Welland, Ontario
Summary of Evening Events:
1. Dinner – 6:15pm
2. Annual General Meeting – by 7:30pm
3. Guest Speaker - Big Sister Gloria Simon
4. Corporate & Community Service Recognition
5. 3rd Party Special Events Recognition
6. Board Member Service Recognition
7. Retiring Board Member Recognition
8. Outstanding Board Member Recognition
9. Charlie Jones Bursary Presentation
10. Closing - Peter
55th Annual General Meeting Agenda
1) Welcome and Call to Order
2) Report on Credentials
3) Approval of Agenda
4) Approval of Proposed By-Law Amendments
5) Approval of Minutes of 54th Annual General Meeting
6) Committee Reports:
A.) President/Governance
B.) Executive Director
C.) Personnel
D.) Marketing and Communication
E.) Fundraising
7) Approval of Above Committee Reports
8) Treasurer’s Report
9) Approval of Treasurer’s Report
10) Auditor’s Report
11) Approval of Auditor’s Report
12) Appointment of Auditor for 2018-2019 Fiscal Year
13) Approval of Fiscal Year 2017—2018 Board Actions
14) Approval to Extend Eligibility of Directors (over 5 years)
1) Trevor Marsh 4) Tony Zenga
2) Bruce Smith 5) Peter Papp
3) Mike Leone 6) Melissa McArthur
15) Election of 2018—2019 Board of Directors
Lindsey Aubertin Keri Harrison Mike Leone
Melissa McArthur Peter Papp Stephen Passero
Bruce Smith Tony Zenga Trevor Marsh
David Hawkins
16) Adjourn Meeting
Members Motions
Motion #1 – Approval of Agenda. Motion #2 – Approval of Proposed Amendments to By-Law No.1 Motion #3—Approval of Minutes of 54th Annual General Meeting Motion #4 – Approval of Committee Reports. Motion #5– Approval of Treasurer’s Report Motion #6– Approval of Auditor’s Report. Motion #7 – Appointment of Auditor for 2018 – 2019 fiscal year. Motion #8 – Approval of 2017—2018 fiscal year board actions. Motion #9 – To extend the eligibilities (over 5 years) to Trevor Marsh, Bruce Smith, Mike Leone, Tony Zenga, Peter Papp and Melissa McArthur for an additional year. Motion #10 – Approval of Appointment of the following to Board of Directors of Big
Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara Inc. for the year 2018 – 2019.
Lindsey Aubertin
Keri Harrison
David Hawkins
Mike Leone
Trevor Marsh
Melissa McArthur
Peter Papp
Stephen Passero
Bruce Smith
Tony Zenga
Motion #11 –To adjourn the 2017– 2018 Annual General Meeting.
Minutes of 54th Annual General Meeting
Held at 6:30pm on September 13, 2017
At Casa Dante Lodge #19, 34 Lincoln Street West, Welland
The meeting was called to order by President Peter Papp at 7:35 pm, who welcomed everyone in attendance. President Peter Papp proceeded with the business for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara Inc. Executive Director, Barb Van Der Heyden presented the report on credentials as 16 members being present, with the requirement being 9 for majority.
President Peter Papp highlighted items from his President’s Report as printed. The President also extended thanks to the Executive Director, Staff and Silvana Del Monaco team. Executive Director Barb Van Der Heyden highlighted items from her Executive Director’s Report as printed. Barb expressed her sincere thanks to all Staff for their hard work throughout the year and thanked Board members for their dedication and commitment to the movement.
In Attendance: Board: P Papp, M Leone, T Marsh, B Smith, K Harrison, T Zenga, S Passero, M Grocholsky, R Bissonnette
Staff: Laura Caballero, Ashley Dunbabin, Kaitlyn Krahn, Melissa Lodba, Chelsea Scott, Barb Van Der Heyden.
Others: Various invited guests and award recipients.
Motion #1
Stephen Passero/Mike Leone: To approve the Agenda as presented.
-CARRIED-
Motion #2
Tony Zenga/Michelle Grocholsky: To approve the minutes of the 53
rd Annual General Meeting as presented.
-CARRIED-
Motion
#3
Bruce Smith/Keri Harrison: To accept the Committee Reports as presented.
-CARRIED-
Motion
#4
Trevor Marsh/Fred Farnham: To accept the Treasurer’s Report as provided.
-CARRIED-
Motion
#5
Trevor Marsh/Fred Farnham: To approved the Auditor’s Report as reviewed and presented by auditor Nicole Henderson, Silvana Del Monaco Professional Corporation CA.
-CARRIED-
Motion #7
Keri Harrison/Michelle Grocholsky : To approve all board actions for the year ending March 31, 2017.
-CARRIED-
Motion #6
Stephen Passero/Fred Farnham To appoint Silvana Del Monaco Professional Corporation CA as auditors for the fiscal year 2017-2018.
-CARRIED-
Minutes of 54th Annual Meeting Continued
President Peter Papp asked for a motion to extend Bruce Smith, Trevor Marsh, Ryan Bissonnette, Mike Leone, Tony Zenga and Melissa Mc Arthur’s service on the board for another year.
President Peter Papp introduced the Directors to be elected to serve on the 2017 – 2018 Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters South Niagara Inc. as follows
Lindsey Aubertin Ryan Bissonnette
Keri Harrison Adnan Isakovic
Mike Leone Trevor Marsh
Melissa McArthur Peter Papp
Stephen Passero Bruce Smith
Tony Zenga
President Peter Papp thanked volunteers, board and staff for attending the annual meeting, then extended a warm welcome for all to stay and enjoy our Recognition and Awards program immediately following the adjournment of this AGM.
Motion #8
Darlene Hazlett/Stephen Passero: To extend the eligibility of
Bruce Smith, Trevor Marsh, Ryan Bissonnette, Mike Leone, Tony Zenga and Melissa Mc Arthur to serve on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara for an additional year.
-CARRIED-
Motion #9
Michelle Grocholsky/Bruce Smith: To elect the presented slate of
Directors to the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara Inc. as presented for 2017-2018.
-CARRIED-
Motion #10
Bruce Smith/Keri Harrison: To Adjourn the 53rd AGM at 7:43pm -CARRIED-
2017— 2018 President’s and Governance Report
Background:
This report represents our agency’s activities of 2017-2018 since the merger of the Greater Fort Erie and Welland offices which greatly enhanced and strengthened the delivery and impact of our South Niagara Big Brothers Big Sisters services throughout our catchment area.
Report:
The following identifies and highlights our key strategic thrusts and achievements:
Continuing to implement “succinct and focused strategic plan” Undertook and continue to facilitate our recognized and very successful fund –raising events
(including new events and supporters) under the capable leadership of our newly recruit-ed Fund Raising staff (Jennifer Chrysler-Loney);
Undertook and completed our National Office Accreditation recommendations based on their 2013 review and completed the remaining items over the 2016-2017 term; getting pre-pared for the 2018 Review
Undertook and developed a contemporary and unique “Media and Marketing” protocol in-cluding a “distinctive” video focusing on our agency’s attributes and program delivery un-der the auspices of our new Board members Michelle Grocholsky and Phil Busby. The
protocol was fully implemented during 2016-2017 term. Undertook and successfully submitted our Annual United Way funding request and were rec-
ognized as the most comprehensive application facilitated by the UW South Niagara and Niagara Falls/Fort Erie allocations team.
Continue working collaboratively with the Niagara Falls BBBS on several fronts
In summary, I would like to thank my fellow Executive and Board members for their commitment and dedication to our work. Our Board are tireless volunteers who without their insight, skills and knowledge would not achieve our goals and positively impact on the lives of our Big Brothers, Big Sisters and their Littles. We also welcomed Keri Harrison to our Board who brings extensive and focused experience and skills. Sadly, we lost Anna VanderBugh after a very brief major illness and bid a very fond adieu to Michelle Grocholsky who left for maternity and gave birth to son Gabriel. Congratulations to Michelle and Michael.
2017— 2018 President’s and Governance Report Continued
Governance Committee: We are continuing to re-examine our Governance Structure and operation based on our most recent “Skills Assessment “ survey . Through the very creative and focused assistance of Michelle Grocholsky , Board Member , we have established a “Honorary Board Membership” which will retain key skills of current and retiring Board members . This change will also allow our Board to strengthen our succession planning and recruitment efforts . Our main focus is to ensure that we maximize, sustain and retain our Board’s interest , commit-ment and investment in our Agency’s mandate . Summary: Moreover, I would like to extend a very special thanks to Barb Van Der Heyden, our Executive Di-rector and staff for their compassion, caring and professionalism in delivering our services to our children. Finally, I look forward to continuing in my role as President and in collaboration with our Board to fully implement our Strategic Plan and policies that will enhance and strengthen our agency and its impact on the South Niagara area. Respectfully Submitted
Peter P. Papp President, 2017-2018
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara has impacted the lives of so many children, youth and families through mentoring programs within our communities since its inception in April 1964! As our agency continues to focus on the agency’s five goals within our strategic plan, I am pleased to provide you with the following updates: 1) Remain the #1 children/youth mentoring agency within South Niagara: Provided mentoring programs to 635 children, through a caring, dedicated team of ‘Bigs’. Performed intakes, match monitoring and program planning by professional caseworkers Melissa Lodba, Laura Caballe-
ro, Kaitlyn Krahn, and Chelsea Scott (covering Jenn Reid’s maternity leave) under supervision of Casework Supervisor Ashley Dunbabin.
Reviewed/updated agency programs to ensure all were still serving needs of our community resulting in some small changes.
Converted agency website to our new national website platform. Reviewed/updated strategic plan and agency service delivery model.
2) Explore partnerships: Working on a new partnership with Brain Injury Association and Women’s Place of South Niagara for shared Fort Erie
office space beginning fall 2018. Working with Ontario agencies to investigate potential purchasing consortiums for office supplies and consulting ser-
vices etc. Identifying ways to partner with other BBBS agencies Discussions with new corporate companies as to how to creatively partner such as volunteer resources for events,
cross marketing etc.
3) Increase our volunteer base: Expansion of Meridian Credit Union branches through their employee social responsibility program recruiting employ-
ees to become school based mentors while on work time during the school year where branch resources allowed. We also receive a financial donation from Meridian when their employee reaches a certain number of volunteer hours.
Developed a volunteer recruitment plan with every staff person annually developing their own recruitment plan. This plan includes corporate and service group presentations within all our communities, educating people of all our volun-teer opportunities.
4) Increase our connections with the communities we serve: We appreciate our ongoing partnership with Royal Canadian Legion #230 Ridgeway and Town of Port Colborne for
complimentary office space at the Legion and Roselawn Building once a week continued for pre-arranged meetings and appointments.
We have been authorized to use some gaming monies to cover shared office space in Fort Erie beginning fall 2018. Executive Director is an active member of several committees within South Niagara, continuing to build and strengthen
relationships with like organizations and partnership opportunities 5) Sustain our growth with adequate funding: Due to the sudden illness and passing in January 2018 of our Fundraising & Events Coordinator Anna VanderBugh, the Execu-tive Director assumed as much of that role as possible with the assistance of consultant contracts for our two main events, Bowl for Kids Sake and Sisterhood of Style. We welcomed Jennifer Chrysler Loney to our team in March 2018 as Fundraising & Events Coordinator, bringing significant fundraising and events experience, including a prior tenure with another BBBS agency. We know great things are ahead with her onboard! Ontario Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies collaborated to secure a two year grant from BBBSO to hire a staff person focused on Ontario agency sustainability including identifying provincial funding sources, some which will be long term. The first success has been Ontario agencies will be recipients of monies raised at all LCBO stores for a week in September with lots of identified corporate opportunities being explored.
2017— 2018 Executive Director’s Report
2017— 2018 Executive Director’s Report Continued
3rd Party Fundraising Events: We have received proceeds from events held by the following companies within our service area: Welland Volunteer Fire Company No 1 Easter Egg Hunt; Mc Donald’s McHappy Day, Garrison Rd., Fort Erie; Rotary Club of Fonthill Niagara Mudfest; Thornton Group, Regional Paintball; Rose City Model Flyers Inc. raffle; B’N’R Stables Wild West Day; Procon Instructors Inc. Golf Tournament; Ontario Public Buyers Association raffle; Main St. BIA, Port Colborne Sawhorse Race; Renewed Thrift & Vintage, Fonthill; Niagara Home Builders’ Association Christmas night; Youngs Insur-ance Brokers Inc. Bonspiel. Gaming: ‘Thank you’ to the following businesses for making Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara their Nevada charity of choice: Doral Holdings, Welland; Happy Market, Port Colborne; and Avondale Store, Fort Erie. Our Bingo volunteers at The Golden Nugget Gaming Centre, Fort Erie raised an amazing $61,023! We are extremely excited our 2018 – 2019 budget has been increased to cover rent for shared office space in Fort Erie. The Main Street Gaming Centre, Bingo vol-unteers enabled our agency to receive $21, 374. A huge ‘Thank you’ to all our bingo volunteers; we COULD NOT do it without you! A special thank you to our two exceptional team leads, Darlene Hazlett and Sue Mariage for their commit-ment and organizational skills, making sure all bingo shifts are covered with no infractions! Our agency awaits the wonderful changes on the horizon, focused at all times on what the program needs are for the children and youth within our service area, assisting them in ‘being all they can be’. On behalf of the staff, I offer our sincerest thanks to the Board of Directors for their tireless efforts in supporting this agency’s mandate and visioning for our future. A very special recognition to Trevor Marsh for 25 years of service on our Board of Directors, holding many positions over those years. Trevor will remain for 2018-2019 year as Treasurer. Thank you Trevor for your dedication and passion to BBBSSN and our Littles! A special thank you to retiring board member Ryan Bissonnette. Ryan has dedicated seven years as an active Board member, focusing on the fundraising events, and the last few Chair of the overall Fundraising Committee. Through his ability to share the importance of our mentoring programs, we have received support from many companies within South Niagara. I extend a personal thanks to the Executive Committee for their expertise and guidance they continue to provide our agency. All staff look forward to working with our 2018-2019 Board of Directors as we all work diligently to offer men-toring programs that “Enable our Littles to be Everything They Can Be!” Respectfully submitted, Barbara P. Van Der Heyden, P. Mgr.
The focus for the 2017-2018 year for the Personnel Committee was continuing to enhance
engagement, collaboration and development, including development of new Service Delivery
Model. Partnering with the Executive Director, the committee worked to action talent plans to create opportunities for individual coaching, mentoring, learning and development for all
employees. In support of staff development plans, there was a focus on expanded individual goals and updating current performance management assessment. Learning opportunities were provid-ed to the Executive Director, including ongoing executive coaching as well as regular meetings with the Personnel Committee to provide support and feedback. Training opportunities focused on leadership, Bill 148 and mindfulness and thriving within the workplace were also provided.
Thank you to committee members Michelle Grocholsky and Lindsey Aubertin for their support, sharing of knowledge and commitment to BBBSSN. The committee is looking forward to continu-ing to work together, along with the Executive Director and all employees, to create an engaged and passionate agency.
Melissa McArthur
Chair of Personnel Committee
Board member
2017— 2018 Personnel Committee Report
2017— 2018 Marketing and Communications Committee Report
The Marketing and Communication committee continues to focus on the agency’s volunteer base to achieve our vision ‘every child in need of a mentor has a mentor.’ The committee partnered with stu-dents from Brock University in the Business Administration program where they worked towards de-veloping an app enabling people that are currently engaged with the agency to be kept informed about upcoming events, program plans/changes and having the ability to provide feedback/complete surveys. While the students did a great job working on the app, it isn’t quite ready to be launched at this time.
In the upcoming year, we will strive to continue the work of:
Our 2017 - 2018 fundraising efforts can be broken down to four main events:
Trivia for Kids’ Sake
This annual sell-out event continues to be an affordable outing for people to attend, netting $6,821 this year
compared to 2017 total of $5,685.
Bowl for Kids’ Sake
BFKS campaign continues to be run as one campaign though run on different dates in Welland and Fort Erie.
We continued with early March dates and a week day afternoon in Welland which was appealing to
companies. Net profit of $19,089, up over 2017 total of $14,996. Paul Snack assisted with some components
of this event as there was not official Fundraiser in the position due to the sudden passing of Anna
VanderBugh. This event is still a challenge in terms of increasing community bowlers and pledges. A special
thank you to Board member Stephen Passero who again lead the Fort Erie challenge resulting in an increased
community participation. Town of Pelham’s team really pulled together resulting in winning the Mayors
Challenge after Town of Fort Erie having held it for 4th years in a row! Congratulations Mayor Augustyn and
team!
A special thank you to all BFKS teams for their enthusiasm and contributions and sponsors for their financial
support!
Golf for Kids’ Sake
GFKS’s June 5, 2017 was again held at Lookout Point Golf and Country Club with Accelerated Health and
Wellness as our returning Title sponsor, with a net profit a little less than the previous year of $18,385
however still raising an amazing $14,510. Thanks to all that worked diligently to make it another successful
tournament!
Sisterhood of Style
This event’s net profit was $3,033 including $2,125 revenues from the Westjet raffle. Chair Keri Harrison
worked very hard, implementing changes within the afternoon’s program as well as moving location to
Welland Museum. Job well done Keri! A very special thank you to the women within our communities that
attended our event, raising funds to support our Go Girls! Program.
2017— 2018 Fundraising Committee Report
2017— 2018 Fundraising Committee Report Continued
Third Party Fundraisers
A total of $43,489 was raised this year through several communities 3rd party fundraising events versus previ-
ous year total of $41,964. This year’s events included:
Procon Constructors Golf Tournament; Youngs Insurance Bonspiel; Welland Volunteer Fire Co. #1 Easter Egg
Hunt; Brenda & Rob Langendoen (Horse Sense for Kids, B’N’R’ Stables) Wild West Day; Port Colborne Main
Street BIA Stakes at Lock 8 (chaired by Port Colborne community leader, Jeni LaMarre); McDonalds, Garrison
Road Fort Erie Mc Happy Days; Genworth Employees, Rotary Club of Fonthill, Niagara Home Builders’ Associa-
tion, RBC Golf Tournament, The Thornton Group, Rose City Model Flyers Inc., Ontario Public Buyers Associa-
tion, Fitch Street Public School, Glendale Public School, St. Joseph Catholic School, Our Lady of Victory Catho-
lic School, Stevensville Public School and Renewed Thrift & Vintage Fonthill.
A special thanks to the chairs and members of each committee as follows:
Trivia Night: Chair Ryan Bissonnette
Member: Barb Van Der Heyden
Bowl for Kids’ Sake: Chair Stephen Passero
Members: Sharon Svob, Paul Snack, Barb Van Der Heyden
Golf for Kids’ Sake: Chair Ryan Bissonnette
Members: Peter Papp, Tony Zenga, Ann VanderBugh, Barb Van Der Heyden
Sisterhood of Style: Chair Keri Harrison
Members: Cheryl DiCenso, Anna VanderBugh, Barb Van Der Heyden
Action Plan for Fiscal 2018 - 2019
The coming year’s action plan includes continuing to monitor our four annual events, and continuing to re-
view event plans to ensure sub-committees are able to build on their past successes. Special focus will be
placed on improving participant and attendee enjoyment at our Bowl for Kids’ Sake campaign and revamping
the Sisterhood of Style event as well as increasing community volunteers on the sub committees and expan-
sion of 3rd party fundraising events.
Respectively Submitted,
Ryan Bissonnette,
Chair, Fundraising Committees
Board Member
2017— 2018 Bingo Committee Reports
Fort Erie Golden Nugget Gaming Centre Bingo Committee: This past year has been a busy one for the Fort Erie Bingos. We attended more than 170 events, raising $61,023 during this fiscal year through bingo! My Team has been invaluable to our Organization and my thanks goes out to all involved. Special thanks goes out to our dedicated team, Bryan and Kathie Craig, Karen Craig and Karen Dumelie are the stronghold members that never let me down. Thanks, as well, goes out to Stephen Passero, Martha Mason and Roy McGregor, who, despite their own busy schedules, have filled in when I needed the extra help. Barb and other staff members have helped as well and I am grateful for their support. We are fully prepared for a new year of Bingos but we are in need of more volunteers. If you know of anyone, or better yet, a couple, looking to help, please send them our way. It is a great opportunity for sen-iors or retirees to help. Respectively submitted, Darlene Hazlett Committee Chair Welland Main Street Gaming Centre Bingo Committee: The Welland bingo volunteers are working well together, helping each other when a member is unable to do a bingo; GREAT TEAM WORK. With the dedicated help from committee members Rose Gilbert, Linda Hibbert, Jackie Kennedy, Deborah Power, and new members Donna Marsh and Gates Mariage the Welland bingos raised a high $21,373.59 during the 2017-2018 fiscal year for BBBSSN! Respectfully submitted, Sue Mariage Committee Chair
"Fundraising is being the bridge to connect a person’s hopes and dreams for a better world to someone
who can bring those hopes and dreams to life."
- William Pratt, Executive Director, iDE Canada
2017—2018 Treasurer’s Report
The agency has had a challenging year in terms of it’s financial situation, which resulted in a net deficit
of $20,022, an increase over last year’s deficit of $9.898. Revenues decreased $18,777 while expenses
only decreased $8,653. In particular, grants and subsidies were down $32,700. This was partly offset
by increased bingo revenue (up $8,703) and receipt of the final payment of $5,531 from the Build for
Kids Sake project. Fundraising efforts were consistent with last year, despite not having a fund-raising
co-ordinator and a very difficult environment in the South Niagara area for fund-raising.
Expenses were slightly higher for fundraising costs (up $4,830) and salaries (up $6,080). These in-
creases were offset by lower Ontario Trillium salaries (down $13,963) and reduced capital expendi-
tures (down $6,297).
Looking ahead, we are anticipating higher fundraising revenues with the recent hiring of a full-time
Fundraising and Events Co-ordinator. By continuing good cost controls we have forecasted to be in a
slight surplus position while maintaining our high service levels for the children of South Niagara.
Sincerely,
Trevor Marsh, CA, CPA, CFP
Treasurer
Please see accompanying package.
2017— 2018 Auditor’s Report
Testimonial from a Big Brother I can tell you that the Big Brothers Big Sisters program is invaluable to our community and we must do everything we can to maintain (and increase) any funding we can get from the very generous sponsors/ donors and grants from all levels of government. While my association with the program is only 3 months old, I can tell you that I am committed to it for as long as possible. I chose to volunteer because my wife and I do not have kids and our job’s and income allow me to be very flexible with my time and finances. As this idea came from another Big Brother who recently told me that his Little (with his big brothers help), pulled his life together, joined the military, and just got married, to which his big brother was a part of the ceremony! Seeing my Little for the first time and seeing the broken home he is in, broke my heart and reminded me of my own challenging upbringing. I wanted to be able to prevent a little one from going thru that alone, and so far, it appears to be helping…BOTH OF US. Thru my school of hard knocks being out in the world since I was 16, I am hoping to pass on all I have learned to my Little Brother. He looks forward to our time together, and I can understand why, as his living conditions are not always ideal. I will continue to support my Little Brother and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for as long as possible, with the hopes that funding thru grants and private donations assist in keeping the mo-mentum going! Dave—Big Brother
Testimonial from a Big Brother
“I’m thankful to have someone in my life that inspires me every time we hang out. There are very few people I’d enjoy spending time with more than my Little Brother, so he’s really a ray of sunshine in my life!” Lewis—Big Brother
Testimonial from a Big Sister
Being a Big is more than just a volunteer program. Being a Big is a chance to invest and impact the lives of our vulnerable children. It’s a chance to show the littles that people care despite their social, financial and familial circumstances. It is the opportunity to build confidence and show them how capable they are of achieving their potential. My relationship with my little is one of laughter, devotion, empathy and meaning. She brings a joy to my life and lifts me up. When I feel as though I am not making a difference in the world, she enlightens me with truth. Taylor—Big Sister
Testimonial from an Education Resource Teacher
Big Brothers, Big Sisters “Go Girls!” program is a wonderful opportunity for girls to make meaningful connec-tions in a safe environment while learning about healthy living. With each weekly session we witness the girls becoming closer, accepting each other as they are, and learning the keys to balanced living. The mentor is fantastic with the girls and makes the session seem like it is over in a blink of the eye. We are grateful for this wonderful program and thank the volunteers that help make it happen. - Carm
Testimonial from an In School Mentor Big Sister
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been a great organization to be a part of. The staff are absolutely wonderful. They
are very passionate about what they do and accommodate best to your lifestyle. The little sister they paired me
with could not have been a better match. As an in school mentor I look forward to my visit every week because I
know how great it feels to put a big smile on my little sister’s face. We have had a great relationship for over a
year now but the rewarding aspect of this volunteer experience will last a lifetime. Melissa—ISM Big Sister
Proudly Serving the Communities of
Welland, Pelham, Port Colborne, Wainfleet
and Greater Fort Erie
905-735-0570 or 905-871-8836
www.bbbsinniagara.ca