Annual Report
Our Annual General Meeting was held on June 29, 2010, reporting on events of the 2009-10 fiscal year (April 1, 2009- March 31, 2010) and electing a Board of Directors for 2010-2011. To learn more about being on the Board of Directors, contact our Executive Director.
Annual Report 2009-2010
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
One of the changes the Board of Directors of the Positive Women’s Network applauds this year is the increased involvement of women living with HIV in all areas of the agency. Positive women are taking the lead on the Board, on committees, as valuable peer supporters, program volunteers and contributors to the newsletter.
As well, the Board has developed this past year as an effective team with clear goals. The Board always keeps the PWN Strategic Plan in the forefront when assessing new opportunities and initiatives. Our four strategic directions – Leadership, Support, Health Promotion and Housing – inform decisions in terms of future projects.
This year, the Personnel Committee undertook and completed a comprehensive review of the Executive Director’s performance. As well, the Board Development Committee has been actively recruiting new Board members. As PWN’s 20th Anniversary nears (2011), the Board has been considering various creative ways of honouring our rich history.
The Board has spent a good deal of time addressing issues of Fund Development. Together with our Director of Development, Donna Tennant, Board members raised funds as a Community Partner in the AIDS Walk for Life and are investigating other in-house fundraising projects.
We are committed to increasing the number of Board members from outside Metro Vancouver. To this end, we are investigating using technology to improve province-wide communication and representation.
It has been a joy to share the role as PWN Co-Chairs. As we leave the Board, we look forward to new leadership and to the on-going stability and health of the Positive Women’s Network.
~Monique Desroches & Kath Webster, Co-Chairs
Executive Director’s Report
Whether it is speaking to the media about women’s experiences and challenges living with HIV, ensuring women’s voices are heard and respected, or consulting on issues of prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support, Positive Women’s Network is front and centre across the country. We enjoy a reputation as a credible organization committed to fighting for the dignity and well being of all women living with HIV in Canada.
PWN takes a leadership role locally, regionally and nationally in the HIV movement. Janet Madsen is the Chair of the Community HIV/AIDS Committee, a group of organizations and individuals from throughout BC’s Lower Mainland who address urgent and emerging issues within our community. Bronwyn Barrett chairs the Women & Children HIV Care Committee, a group that addresses key issues among these populations. I serve as Chair of the Pacific AIDS Network, a provincial coalition of over 40 AIDS service organizations. Nationally, I am part of the National Steering Committee of Blueprint for Action on HIV/AIDS & Women & Girls. PWN was also a key stakeholder in producing the Status Report on Women, soon to be published by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Completed this year, Leadership, Engagement, Action and Dialogue (LEAD) was a province-wide consultation to help us improve our reach. Positive women emphasized the need for comprehensive HIV prevention education, retreats and peer connections. Service providers want more support in understanding positive women’s issues and resources. (Read the full report.)
It is a privilege to be a part of this dynamic, inspiring community of women, both provincially and from across Canada. I have the utmost respect for all who are engaged in this important work.
Thank you.
~Marcie Summers, Executive Director
Support Program Report 2009-10
Leadership has been a theme this year at PWN, with increased opportunities for members to be involved locally, provincially and nationally. The creativity, involvement, commitment and dedication of PWN members to the HIV movement as a whole is truly inspiring.
After so many years of positive women providing each other with “in the moment” peer support, we were fortunate to be able to facilitate a comprehensive training program for women wishing to become PWN Peer Support Volunteers. In partnership with WAVAW (Women Against Violence Against Women), nine PWN members completed 4 days of training on topics ranging form confidentiality and maintaining boundaries to being an ally and active listening. 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. In March, we hosted our first PWN Leadership Day Retreat, to celebrate and “reunite” PWN members who had completed the Pacific AIDS Network/Ontario AIDS Network PWN Leadership Level I Core Training in September 2009.
Members from all areas of the province gathered for the PWN Wellness Retreats in May and October this past year. Our Support Team was able to highlight our retreat model best practices by presenting at the CATIE/PAN Skills Building Conference, CAS Skills, and the CAHR conference.
Our core support program components continue to reach women who are dealing with multiple barriers in accessing services. The safe, women-only Drop-in offers space for women to connect, have a hot meal, receive free Complementary Health Sessions, and access information, referral and advocacy. Weekly Outreach Visits to hospital, prison and other community agencies means women who do not make it to our offices feel support and connection. We continue to partner with AIDS Vancouver to provide a women-only Grocery Program, and with Oak Tree Clinic to offer comprehensive outreach support.
~Bronwyn Barrett, Support Program Coordinator
Health Promotion Rreport 2009-10
This year in Health Promotion we focused on prevention, connection and partnerships, honing our edge in delivering PWN’s vision: Action and leadership on Women and HIV/AIDS.
The Positive Players project provides HIV/STI prevention information to women over 40 and has taken off in several directions. A new website, You Should Know, features weekly blogs and social networking updates via Facebook and Twitter, which we’re also using to broadcast HIV news, research, PWN events and more. Sexy Savvy Safe HIV workshops across the Province are part of the Positive Players project and Treatment Beyond Ten workshops are for women who have been living with HIV for ten years or more.
On World AIDS Day December 1st 2009, staff and volunteers hit the streets, armed with practicality (condoms) and education (condom and safer sex facts), and offered SkyTrain travelers something to think about. Over 5500 resources (including 2250 condoms) were distributed.
HIV carries farther than a medical diagnosis, and for women escaping domestic violence, they need a safe space to decide on their next move. Our continued Partnerships with Transition Houses provide education to staff so they may confidently welcome positive women into their houses.
Our annual SpringBoard conference featured the theme Confines of Health. Sessions explored the confines of prison health, geographically limited and medically underserviced areas, and young women disconnected from the health system. Many thanks to our exclusive pharmaceutical sponsor Abbott for making this conference a reality for the sixth year in a row.
Over 14,000 resources were distributed nationally this year. Not only do many of our resources get used nationally and distributed by our partner agency Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE), but this year our Pregnancy Yes You Can! Pamphlet was translated into Spanish for use in South America, in partnership with a Mexico-based women’s organization called Balance.
And last, but certainly not least, we continue our quarterly publications: The Positive Side, Positive Currents, and HIV Trends and Women’s Sexual Health. See our Resources and Publications page for more details.
~Janet Madsen, Communications Coordinator
Acknowledgements and Thank Yous
We would like to acknowledge all the "unsung" HIV+ women leaders out there, who are doing front-line work, peer support and education in their own communities. Every little bit helps to piece together a greater net of support for women across the province of BC.
Thanks to our Members, Volunteers & Supporters:
PWN support program volunteers
PWN "Leaders"
Peer Supporters
Jessica, NVIT
Complementary Health volunteers
World AIDS Day volunteers
Thanks to the following businesses who have donated this year:
Book Warehouse on Davie Street
Happy Planet Foods Inc
Images by Bethany
Kiehls
Lush Handmade Cosmetics on Robson St.
Sage Natural Wellness
Shoppers Drug Mart on Davie St.
The Body Shop Pacific Centre
Many Thanks to our Sponsors
Abbott
BC Gaming Policy & Enforcement
Bristol Myers Squibb Canada
Merck
Public Health Agency of Canada/AIDS Community Action Program
Provincial Health Services Authority of BC
RBC Foundation
Shooting Stars Foundation
Tibotec
Vancouver Foundation
The Treatment Beyond Ten workshop project funding provided by the ViiV Healthcare-Shire Canada HIV/AIDS 2009 Community Innovation Program.
If you would like a full copy of the Annual report, which includes financial statement, please contact us.
