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Annual Report
Our Annual General Meeting was held on June 22, 2011, reporting on events of the 2010-11 fiscal year (April 1, 2010- March 31, 2011) and electing a Board of Directors for 2011-20112
Annual Report 2010-2011
View reports from:
- Board of Directors
- Executive Director
- Support Program
- Health Promotion
- Acknowledgements and Thank Yous
- Thanks to Our Sponsors
From the Board of Directors
Over the past year, much of the not for profit world has weathered the effects of decreased government funding and a tough economic downturn. We considered these realities and have made choices this year to do things differently. We think big, believing in a future that is different from our past—in all the ways that have made Positive Women’s Network (PWN) the amazing organization that it is. I am pleased to report that while we are battling a bit of a deficit at year end, it is not anything we expect to continue in the new year.
During this past year, the board has worked diligently to ensure that we are building upon the strong foundation we came into the year with, and keeping in line with our long term sustainability vision. Board recruitment is always on our minds and this year we have welcomed six new board members. Having more HIV+ women on our board is always our aim, but at times this has been challenging. To address this we have created Honorary Board Members who will serve as advisors to the board. Our first confirmed HBM is Kath Webster. Kath’s past and ongoing involvement with PWN will certainly be an
asset for us going forward.
Given the economic situation, the board has made fundraising a major priority. Through a combination of events and funding pursuits the board will continue to identify opportunities that assist PWN in meeting the needs of the membership. Certainly the biggest event of the year is our 20th anniversary celebration and the board looks forward to marking this momentous occasion in October. Throughout 2011-2012, we will remain focused, continue to build our board strengths and skills to exceed your expectations and find better ways to serve you. We appreciate your trust and support. I would like to thank all the board members and staff for their endless energy and commitment to PWN. Thank you for making Positive Women’s Network such a great success!
On behalf of the PWN 2010-2011 Board of Directors,
Patti Telford, Board Chair
Executive Director’s Report
It has been 20 years since a handful of women created the vision of an organization for women living with HIV in BC. PWN has evolved beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. We are looked to across the country for our expertise, our commitment to genuine partnerships, and our passionate focus on human rights and social change. Our practice of infected and affected women working together has proven to be a viable and dynamic model.
As we enter into this next phase of our history, it is essential that we remember our roots and ensure our founding members’ vision is preserved. This vision includes a commitment to reflecting positive women’s voices in all aspects of the organization, to the creative and respectful delivery of programs and services, to honouring the diversity of our membership, and to embracing challenges and new ways of doing things.
Many aspects of the HIV epidemic in North America have changed over the last two decades. People living with HIV are often living longer, encountering all that is involved with the aging process. Just as they are adapting to this new reality, so too, must PWN demonstrate an openness to innovation. Given our track record, I have no doubt that we will do so with our usual commitment to excellence, always placing our members in the foreground.
Thank you to our members, staff, Board of Directors, volunteers and community allies.
Marcie Summers, Executive Director
Support Program Report
It is hard to believe that 2011 marks PWN’s 20th anniversary. Although it’s exciting to reflect on all the important work done at our small women-focused ASO over the past 20 years, it is with mixed feelings that I consider 20 years of HIV advocacy. I personally have had the privilege of being a part of PWN for over 17 years, the privilege of knowing many PWN members for that long, and actually watching some women get healthier with new advancements in HIV medicine. During this time, we have also lost many women to HIV disease. Unfortunately, we still see women being newly diagnosed with HIV, many of whom are Aboriginal women. Many of the issues that HIV+ women were dealing with 20 years ago remain struggles today.
Given these challenges, the Support Team’s vision remains focused on the core components of the support program, and we recognize the importance of continuing to reach out to HIV positive women who are dealing with multiple barriers in accessing services. Our women-only drop-in offers a safe space for women to connect, have a hot meal, receive free complementary health sessions, and access information, referral and advocacy. Weekly outreach visits to hospitals, community services, and connecting with women over the phone or email, means that members who do not make it to our offices still experience support and connection. We continue to partner with AIDS Vancouver to provide a women-only foodbank program, and with Oak Tree Clinic to offer comprehensive outreach support. Also over the past year, members from all areas of the province gathered for PWN Wellness Retreats in June and October.
This year we were able to facilitate a second comprehensive training program for members wishing to become PWN Peer Support Volunteers. In partnership with WAVAW (Women Against Violence Against Women) and peer guest speakers, and with PWN staff planning and delivering the curriculum, ten PWN members completed 4 days of training on topics ranging from confidentiality and maintaining boundaries to being an ally and active listening. We hope that this team of peer support volunteers will be an active extension of the Support Program. These remarkable women have already been successfully matched up with other PWN members, and are providing peer support in person, over the phone, and via email.
Along with direct support and connection for HIV+ women, we also focus on education and information, including presenting best practices at conferences (CAHR and HOS 2011) and offering practicum opportunities for professionals-in-training.
Bronwyn Barrett, Support Program Coordinator
Health Promotion Report
We’ve had an energizing year in Health Promotion! Prevention, partnerships, community development and vibrant resources have been our drivers this year.
Creating Community in BC and beyond
Community development plays a great part in our health promotion work, in person and online. Workshops on HIV basics, treatment issues, aging and violence were delivered around the province. Participants in workshops ranged from university students, front line workers at ASOs, to staff of women’s organizations and transition houses, and groups of the GoGo Grannies. This work has connected a diversity of women and service providers to resources and much needed education.
Online our work has rippled beyond BC through our websites and social networking. Our website (pwn.bc.ca) and the You Should Know website (youshouldknow.ca) provide information on HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Our presence on Twitter and Facebook has enabled us to reach thousands of individuals and organizations, sharing health information and support across the country. Our experience means we’re now being asked to provide information to other non-profits looking to start social networking.
Living Resources
The global impact of AIDS is recognized on World AIDS Day (December 1). This year, PWN gave a talk and acted as a “living book” at Simon Fraser University’s World AIDS Day event. Our annual SpringBoard conference explored HIV and Aging, a welcome theme for many women who didn’t think they’d see 40, and Dr. Neora Pick of Oak Tree Clinic presented. Other sessions were activism and action in BC’s Aboriginal communities, social networking opportunities, and managing stress.
Spread the Word
Over 11,000 print Resources were distributed nationally this year. The national distribution of our resources is handled by CATIE, who noted that our Pocket Guide for Women Living with HIV gets record requests (their stock recently ran out). A newly revised edition is forthcoming. In addition, this year a Pocket Guide on Aging has been written. It is in the final review stages and will also be printed in the coming year.
Our monthly publications are ongoing, with one of these resources published every month: The Positive Side, Positive Currents, and HIV Trends and Women’s Sexual Health. See www.pwn.bc.ca for more details.
Janet Madsen, Communications Coordinator
Acknowledgements and Thank Yous
Thanks to the following businesses, groups & individuals who donated this year:
Blanche MacDonald Centre • Flipside Creative
Homewerx on Davie Street • Kiehls
Lush HandmadeCosmetics on Robson St. • Mailboxes Plus on Davie Street
Sequoia Company of Restaurants • SFU AIDS Awareness Network
Spadewerk• Trigger • Vancouver Pride Society
Thanks to our Members, Volunteers & Supporters:
PWN Support Program Volunteers • PWN Leaders • Peer Supporters
Deborah Barnum, Library Technician
Katie Ralphs, UBC BSW Practicum Student • Complementary Health Volunteers
Many Thanks to our Sponsors
Abbott Virology • BC Gaming Policy & Enforcement
Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada • Deloitte • Janssen
MAC AIDS Fund • Merck Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada/AIDS Community Action Program
Provincial Health Services Authority of BC • RBC Foundation
Shooting Stars Foundation • Vancouver Foundation
ViiV Healthcare-Shire Canada HIV/AIDS 2009 Community Innovation Program
If you would like print copies of the Annual report, which include a financial statement, please contact us.