MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Gratitude and Solidarity

How things have changed, and not changed, over the last two years! The pandemic has forced all of us to revisit how we have been fulfilling our Mission. There were, are, and will be hurdles, but with resiliency, and a “solution-mode” approach, moving forward happens.

Hope is the fuel that makes people go!

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2021 FINANCIAL AND STATISTICS ANNUAL REPORTS

The Annual Report document is designed to provide a consistent reporting format that will accomplish three things:

• provide a template that will lend itself to assisting the members of the National Council of Canada to speak with some authority and knowledge regarding the activities of all conferences and councils in Canada;
• provide a template for conferences and councils to measure the scope of service according to the Rule and Canadian statutes;
• enable a comprehensive annual report to be prepared for the International Council General.

To assist in completing the financial report, you can access support material from the resources available in the Member repository at MEMBERS TRAINING.

• Financial Handbook for conference treasurers
• Webinar Recording - Treasurer: Role and Responsibilities, and Annual Reports

You can access the annual report template from the Operations Manual, or directly through the Forms repository:

ANNUAL REPORT FORMS

TURNING WATER INTO WINE

This coming Sunday, January 16, the Gospel tells us the story of the wedding feast at Cana and the first miracle of Jesus – turning water into wine. This miracle is accomplished quietly with notable humility although Jesus noted that “My hour has not yet come.” The bride, groom, the other guests, and the chief steward did not recognize it as a miracle performed by Jesus. Only the servants who filled the jars with water were aware of the miracle performed as they had filled the jars. This was an act of service by Jesus to a couple who would never know their benefactor. Upon being told by the steward that more wine had somehow appeared for the feast, they may have said to each other “Thank God” in their relief, not knowing the depth of the truth of their words.

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Q: What do conferences need to know about donation receipts?

A:  Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has very specific rules on donation receipts. Donations are in the form of cash, cheque, PayPal, shares or in kind. It is very important that the format of the receipt is in compliance with the CRA guidelines that follow. More information is available on the CRA website. There are other types of donations that will require reference to the applicable CRA guidelines, to determine what is acceptable and how to determine the proper value of any gift.

Canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/charities-giving/charities/policies-guidance/alphabetical-index-policies-guidance.html#r-tpcs

Sample official donation receipts are visible from the CRA website at

Canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/charities-giving/charities/sample-official-donation-receipts.html

They were our brothers and sisters serving people in need.

Let us keep them in our prayers.

IN MEMORIAM LIST

Please send your death notices to: editor@ssvp.ca