Wood Buffalo Community Foundation holds first Annual Meeting, celebrates accomplishments

(Fort McMurray, AB — June 21, 2018) Wood Buffalo Community Foundation (WBCF) held its first AGM at the Redpoll Centre on June 21, 2018. The Board elected two new directors, confirmed terms for eight current directors, received audited financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2017 and appointed its public accountant for the financial period ending December 31, 2018. The audited financial statements can be found here.

Accomplishments outlined at the AGM included:

• Raising approximately $2.4 M to date, including matching funds from the Suncor Energy Foundation.

• Recruiting a 10-member board, including new community members Anna Seinen and Sangram Hansra.

• Approving a Grants application and approval process, allowing the Foundation to proceed with its first call for community grant applications.

“A year ago, we were five or six people with a passion to make this Foundation a success,” said Founding Chair Maureen Cormier Jackson in her remarks to the Board. “Now we’re a 10-member Board with great people, a commitment to grow, committees in place, over $2 million raised, and a grants process about to get kicked off. “

Board chair Shelley Powell talked about the work ahead.  

“In a few years, it’s likely that we will be a major funder in this region. We need to think carefully about how we use our assets -- not just our dollars, but our collective community knowledge, our desire to collaborate, and our leadership skills -- to support our mission and vision. Being partners in community success is critical to community vitality and resiliency.”

The board of directors now includes:

• Shelley Powell – Chair

• Maureen Cormier Jackson – Founding Chair

• Anthony Mankowski

• Brenda Erskine  

• Mark Shaw

• Jeanette Bancarz - Treasurer

• Thomas Lawley - Secretary

• Glen Finnson

• Anna Seinen

• Sangram Hansra

The WBCF is a registered Canadian charity. Our mission is to enhance quality of life in our
region by supporting community members and organizations in building long term, mutually
beneficial relationships between donors and grantees. We provide grants to improve and
enhance the stability and sustainability of the community.

For more information, go to wbcfoundation.ca.

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Contact:
media.wbcf@gmail.com

Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Members

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Members of the Wood Buffalo Community Foundation ("the WBCF") is called for and will be held at the large conference room of The Redpoll Centre (Shell Place, 1 C.A. Knight Way, Fort McMurray, AB) on the 21st day of June, at the hour of 9 a.m. (MT) for the following purposes:

1. To receive the WBCF’s financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2017.

2. To elect additional Directors of the Board.

3. To appoint the Auditors of the Corporation for the ensuing year.

4. To transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. 

If you plan to attend the meeting as an observer, please RSVP to sandy.carkener@gmail.com by Monday, June 18 with your name and, if relevant, the member organization you will be representing. 

The AGM agenda and the WBCF’s 2017 financial statements can be viewed at wbcfoundation.ca. 

Wood Buffalo Community Foundation encourages region to join the Founders' Circle

(Fort McMurray, AB – March 5, 2018) There’s still time to become a Founder of the Wood Buffalo Community Foundation (WBCF). Donations made to the WBCF by June 2018 will give donors the opportunity to count themselves in the Foundation’s Founders’ Circle.

“Everyone who makes a donation in our first year of operation will be recognized as a Founder of the Wood Buffalo Community Foundation,” said WBCF chair Shelley Powell. “No donation will be considered too small to join the Founders’ Circle.”

“Your donation will also ensure the WBCF benefits from the Suncor Energy Foundation’s commitment to match $500,000 per year for the next four years,” said Powell.

The WBCF is a registered Canadian charity. Our mission is to enhance quality of life in our region by supporting community members and organizations in building long term, mutually beneficial relationships between donors and grantees. We provide grants to improve and enhance the stability and sustainability of the community.

For more information, go to wbcfoundation.ca.

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Contact:
media.wbcf@gmail.com

Wood Buffalo Community Foundation Elects New Chair

(Fort McMurray, AB – January 23, 2018) The Wood Buffalo Community Foundation  (WBCF) is pleased to announce Shelley Powell as incoming chair for 2018.

“Shelley brings new energy and leadership experience to take our Board into the next stage of development,” said WBCF’s outgoing chair Maureen Cormier Jackson. “Most of the foundational pieces are in place, but we still have a lot of work to do. I know the WBCF will be in excellent hands.”

Powell recently returned to Fort McMurray as Suncor Energy’s Senior Vice President, Oil Sands Operations, after a seven-year absence. “My family and I are excited to be back,” said Powell. “This is such a hardworking and generous community and I am confident the Community Foundation will only add to the long term success of the entire region.”

Cormier Jackson will remain as past and founding chair of the WBCF.  

“On behalf of the Board and the community, I’d like to thank Maureen for all the work she has done to establish a community foundation for Wood Buffalo,” said Powell. “Because of her dedication and persistence, we are already well ahead of many older community foundations in Canada.”

The Board would also like to thank founding member and director Linda Ball, who is stepping down after more than a year of volunteer service to the WBCF.

The WBCF is a registered Canadian charity. Our mission is to enhance quality of life in our region by supporting community members and organizations in building long term, mutually beneficial relationships between donors and grantees. We provide grants to improve and enhance the stability and sustainability of the community.

For more information go to www.wbcfoundation.ca/board-of-directors.

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Contact:
media.wbcf@gmail.com

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