or the last number of years, OSCA has been approached by community-based groups asking for modest financial support for a particular project. In 1999, for example, the group spearheading the landscaping for the Hopewell School yard approached the Board for support. And this year, we had a similar request from the group raising funds for a new play structure at Windsor Park.
The OSCA Board decided to support both groups with funding, but these and other such requests led the Board to raise a number of questions. What level of funding should we set aside each year for supporting such projects? What should be the criteria for deciding whether a particular project merited support? And finally, did it make sense to continue the process of responding to ad hoc requests or should the Board develop a more transparent process, publishing the possibility of OSCA support for community projects and inviting submissions?
The Board asked its Vice President, Michael Jenkin, to ponder these questions and come back to the Board with a recommended policy. This he did and in the spring of this year, the Board approved the establishment of the Old Ottawa South Community-based Projects Fund. Here's how it will work.
When it establishes its budget in the fall of each year, the OSCA Board will determine how much can be put into the fund. It will then advertise the existence of the fund and solicit funding proposals.
The Finance Committee will evaluate the proposals and make a recommendation to the Board, who will make a final decision in time to disburse the funding in the spring. Here are the criteria on which the Board will judge project proposals:
To ensure that there are no conflicts of interest, Board members who are also members of groups applying for funding will indicate their connection and refrain from voting.
Furthermore, to enhance transparency, at the end of each financial year (OSCA's year end is August 30th), the OSCA Board will make public a report on what projects were funded, for what amounts and with what results.
For those readers wanting additional details on how their groups might apply, please contact OSCA's Executive Director, Deirdre McQuillan, at the OSCA office at 247-4872 or osca@cyberus.ca.)
Here are some of the issues that will be occupying the Board in the next 10 months or so:
Land Use Issues
We seem to have three or four of these each year and the next few months should prove no exception. An early priority may be the proposal of Patty's Pub to add an outdoor patio north of the current pub.
The OSCA Board chose to support the immediate neighbors in opposing the Pub's application for a liquor licence for this purpose. Should the proponents succeed in
getting the necessary provincial approvals for a licence, they will still need to gain City approval for a variance to an existing by-law.
Traffic
Another perennial issue, traffic concerns surrounding Main Street, Riverdale and the Bronson-Airport Parkway will likely command considerable attention over the next year.
New City
Political representation for our community will drop from two councillors to one with the new city emerges in January. We'll have to see if this translates into less attention and possible support for our traditional advocacy issues (traffic and land use, for example).
In the longer term, a more difficult challenge to manage for us might be our relationship with the City in terms of our recreational programming. At the moment, we enjoy a unique partnership with the existing City Of Ottawa, one that works well for both parties. That said, bureaucracies love consistency and this arrangement may have them scratching their heads.
Firehall Redevelopment
We have made good progress over the past year, working with the City to spruce up the heritage building around which OSCA centresits many activities. Furthermore, we have developed a long-term re-development plan and have set up a charitable foundation to support further fund-raising. We will need to continue this momentum in the next months to ensure that we have a proper centre for this community.
OSCA Governance
Any organization can improve how it goes about its business and OSCA is no exception. This upcoming year, we'll need to make progress on improving the way in which we budget our funds. We also have been working hard at lining up a suitable person to conduct a financial audit of our activities.
The future of our web site is another important issue we will need to focus on. As well, the Board will need to spend more time on program issues, given the importance of the Program Committee to the overall well-being of OSCA. And finally, we have to act on an outstanding piece of work done by Michael Lynch on our insurance needs.
If these or other community issues such as the nature of the programs we offer are of interest to you, please contact me at 730-0069. I am sure we can find a challenging voluntary task that suits your experience and interests.