The May Court Club of Ottawa
Annual Report to the Associations of May Court Clubs of Canada
Spring 2017
The May Court Club of Ottawa continues to engage in many Club and Community Service activities and events.
Membership: Presently there are 239 members. Our bylaw change last year to provide more flexibility in attracting new members has been successful.
Board: Gill Drake, wife of the British High Commissioner, once again graciously invited the Board to hold its January meeting at Earnscliffe, the official residence. It was delightful to use the large dining room with its magnificent view of the Ottawa River. Acting uponcomments made by Board members,all of whomare interviewed during the nominating process, the Board will be instituting a training session for new members prior to the first Board meeting in June.
Service Projects:
The Hospice at May Court
As well as our financial commitment, 40 May Court volunteers work on day and evening reception and in the palliative care program. Filling these positions is at times challenging, but we are fortunate to be backed up by The Hospice Volunteers. At the Fall General Meeting the members once again voted to continuing to support Hospice Care Ottawa, May Court site by providing $100,000.00 for 2017.
Citizenship Court
Successful receptions are held once a month for new Canadians following the Citizenship Ceremony. Maple leaf cookies continue to be a tradition at this celebratory occasion.
May Court Library
For 90 years the committee has been distributing magazines to the waiting rooms and the patients at The Civic Campus of The Ottawa Civic Hospital and also the Heart Institute. Three book sales a year are held by the committee to help defray the costs of the library. With the changing demographics of our community the library is now providing a variety of foreign language magazines. Finding volunteers is at times challenging, so last summer Hospital student volunteers filled in the empty spaces. This proved to be a successful endeavor and may be considered again this summer if the need arises.
Aberdeen Artisans
Although now part of Aberdeen Artisans, Knitting, our oldest committee,continues to provide hats for kids with cancer at Ronald McDonald House, the Neo Natal Unit at CHEO, and lady’s hats to the Cancer Clinic, as well as lap rugs for The Hospice. A successful Christmas Craft Sale, open to the public was held at May Court in early November.
Bargain Box
Now in its 47 year the Bargain Box continues to raise money for the Club and provide a friendly atmosphere for the local community members who come to shop and mingle. There are many regulars who drop into chat as much as shop. Sales are going well. An administration change took place this year when the financial administration of the Bargain Box was assumed by the Club.
Munch and Learn
The committee provides gift certificates from Costco to six Ottawa Community Houses so that over 200 children can have a nutritious after school snack. At a Committee meeting also attended by the 6 Executive Directors of the Houses in February, it was realized what a valuable contribution is being made to welfare of these children. This is a very enthusiastic committee and is planning a “High Tea” for next fall to offset part of the budgeted cost of this program.
Fund Raising Projects:
Porch Sale in September raised $1200.00
Fall Bridge in October raised $2400.00
Christmas Craft and Art Sale in November raised $6000.00
Shepherd’s Funraiser Fashion Show in November raised $6100.00
Talbots Shopping eventin March raised $945.00
Jewelry Show in April raised $ 1100.00
Library Book Sales raised $1104.00 with one more to go before June.
Shoebox Program Organized by “After 5’s” for the third year, 65 shoeboxes were filled full of simple luxuries donated by our Club members, for women in local shelters, and were delivered before Christmas as part of this nationwide program.
50/50 General Meeting DrawsThe total 50/50 draw at our three meetings was $944.00 with $472.00 going to the Club.
The Bargain Box raised $80,000.00 in 2016
Financial Aid:
HospiceIn addition to providing the facility at no cost, we continue to honour our commitment of $100,000.00 annually, divided into monthly cheques of $8333.33.
ScholarshipsTwoCentennial Scholarships for nurse practitioners, of $5,000.00 each were distributed. As there were no applicants for the Susan B. Anderson Scholarship, a Masters in Information Studies, for 2016-2017, $2500.00 was distributed for the final payment to the 2015-2016 recipient.
Grants: Budget of $20,000.00.Applications are received and reviewed by the committee in October and March, after which their recommendations are brought to the Board for approval.