The year 2021 saw the continuation of the global pandemic and its continued economic impacts on the operation of Pearce Williams. Gathering rules meant another year without summer camps , school programs, or traditional facility rentals. Fortunately, we were able to act as a  transitional quarantine site for seasonal migrant farm workers for a second year that generated significant revenue. Rental of agricultural lands to a local farmer continues to provide a source of regular but limited revenue. Grants, donations, wage subsidies and government loans were the primary sources of revenue. The government extended the due date for the repayable portion of the Canada Emergency Business Account (CDBA) loans to December 31, 2023 and we intend to meet our full repayment obligations at that time.

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We are forecasting an upswing in revenues in 2022, primarily due to camp registration fees and facility rentals. There continues to be a strong reliance on operating and capital grants from the United Church, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Westminster College Foundation, the Green Lane Community Trust Fund and multiple levels of government. Equally important are the donations from individuals, churches, businesses and  community organizations. Long-term, monthly givers are particularly valued because they represent a commitment to a reliable and stable source of support.

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The collective contribution from these sources currently forms an essential part of the financial resources needed for Pearce Williams to maintain and operate efficiently and effectively. Unfortunately, grants are neither guaranteed nor stable funding sources and we continue to look at ways and means to diversify and balance our revenue sources. The pandemic has highlighted our financial vulnerability to the losses of camp and rental income and the lack of a reserve/emergency fund.

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Ron Drabick of Deer Leap Forestry Services was hired to prepare a forest management plan for Pearce Williams. This allowed us to apply to the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP). By participating in this program, more than a thirteen percent (13%) annual savings on property taxes is projected. Ron, and a team of volunteers, measured,  inventoried and mapped the property. This included identifying and recording  the diversity of plant and animal species of the woodlands, wetlands and grasslands spread over the table lands, slopes and bottom lands that make up our natural spaces.

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Our objectives for the property were incorporated into a practical set of management options for implementation over the plan’s 20-year horizon. Our application was approved and we successfully enrolled 115 of our 175 acres into the program. Implementing the management plan will help us as stewards of the environment to protect, maintain and restore the health, diversity and productivity of our lands and natural areas.

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Most buildings continued to be shuttered and winterized with no water and minimal to no heat as part of ongoing efforts to minimize operating expenses. Maintenance and repairs were limited to what could be done with materials on hand using existing staff or with funds obtained through grants targeted for specific improvement projects. Volunteers were used as circumstances allowed while ensuring everyone’s health and safety by following public health guidelines and limiting numbers on-site. Much was accomplished.

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Capital grants enabled building and accommodation upgrades to be completed. A multi-year project to upgrade the accessibility of Williams Hall along with Cabins “B” and “C” was begun using funds from a major grant. New decks, ramps and accessible doors will be installed and a new sidewalk built to link them together. A work bee of volunteers is being planned to make this happen once materials are on site and the weather permits. Cabins “A” and “B” have been refurbished with new twin-sized, wooden beds. This meant saying a fond farewell to the old and heavy metal monstrosities and their plywood bases covered with the printed and graphic messages from years of camper artistry.

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Grant funding enabled a pilot a project for the creation of a senior-on-site residence. The project has been steadily transforming the old Fox Outdoor Education Centre. It is now more affectionately referred to as the “Elder Residence” in recognition of its intended occupant as a source of knowledge, wisdom and sage advice. The grant and directed donations have paid for materials and the services of specialty trades like electricians and plumbers. However, much progress is due primarily to the sweat equity investment made through the time and effort of staff and volunteers. Bill Stevens, the “Elder-in-Residence” is anticipating occupation of his new home by early spring.

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With the apparent tailing off of the global pandemic the outlook for 2022 is much more promising compared to the previous two years. Planning for summer camp is ongoing, staff interviews are progressing and rental groups are booking times for retreats. We understand that camp in post-pandemic time will be different than pre-pandemic times. The rules we operate under continue to  evolve. Pearce Williams will continue to evolve so we can meet and support the changing physical, spiritual, psychological and emotional needs of our campers and our young staff.

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Recognition is due for the hard work and dedication of our staff; Joe Richards, Geoff Auckland, and Melissa Jackson in their respective roles as Executive Director, Maintenance Team Lead and Bookkeeper. Added to their efforts are the contributions from Bill Stevens, our Elder-in-Residence. Collectively this team has managed and maintained the facility under the regime of scaled-back, minimalist operations. All the while they used creativity and imagination to stretch the dollars, pay the bills, and got done what needed to be done.

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A novel approach was taken with a small crew of summer students in 2021. They were hired to not only help with the care and maintenance of the property but were also trained in camp operations and administration with a view to building a cohort of candidates to draw from as future camp staff. The approach can be considered a success given that the majority of the participating students made application to Pearce Williams for summer 2022 camp positions.

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Jory Elliot was recruited in December to join the management team as Director of Camps, Programs & Marketing. His position was created through an integration, updating and synthesis of responsibilities of the former Office Manager and Camp Director positions; both of which were vacated in early 2021. A resiliency grant is funding salary and support dollars for the first year of this new position. This will help greatly as the Board and staff work through recovery towards creating a new normal for Pearce Williams.

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New legislation governing not-for-profit (NFP) corporations came into force in October of 2021. A three-year transition period has been provided in which corporations, including Pearce Williams, are required to bring their articles of incorporation and by-laws into compliance with the new legislation. The Board convened at a retreat on-site in the fall of 2021 to review and refine our organizational structure and governance documents. An inventory and evaluation of the collective skills and composition of the Board and Staff was completed. The review highlighted priority skills we need to recruit for and noted a  general lack of economic and cultural diversity around the table.

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Grant funds were used to engage Travis Allison & Go Camp Pro, a consulting firm of camp professionals with a depth and breadth of experiences working with summer camps. The service contract was to develop a strategic roadmap for Pearce Williams over both a short-term (3 -5 years) and a long-term (5-15 years) planning horizon. The final report gave Pearce Williams 1) recommendations for some feasible and practical options and paths to help direct and guide us through pandemic recovery, and 2) suggestions on new and alternative approaches for programs, property and services that might help ensure we thrive well into the future.

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The consultant’s report and the outcomes of the Board retreat are being considered along with the Board’s previous visioning work. They are all informing and guiding the process, direction and degree of change required to better align the organization over the coming years.

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The Board of Directors is embarking on a period of targeted recruitment and renewal. The impacts of the pandemic on the makeup of the Board are significant and led to a sharp drop in the number of directors. Christine Freeman, a Pearce Williams alumnus, was elected to the Board as a new member  at the last AGM. We welcome and are benefitting from her professional knowledge and expertise in not-for-profit fundraising. Most recently, Patrick Erb has indicated this will be his last year on the Board. His accounting knowledge and expertise was very beneficial to those of us who are less knowledgeable. and who occasionally struggle to understand the nuances of complex financial reporting. His insights, focus and clarity at the table will be missed.

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Suggested revisions to the articles of incorporation and the by-laws recommend a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 11 directors. We are currently at the minimum, which is clearly an undesirable and untenable position with 9 being considered a reasonable number for these times. Therefore, the Board is actively seeking people with both an interest in and a passion for the mission, vision and work of Pearce Williams. The challenging task of growing and evolving Pearce Williams in the 21st century needs skilled and willing people; willing to be involved, and willing to share their knowledge and experiences. An injection of diversity on many fronts is welcomed. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact myself or any other member of the Board to have a conversation about the work, the expectations and the commitment.

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Through it all, we have stayed strong to our roots and continue to build on Pearce Williams’ 60+ years of serving the children, families, churches and organizations of our communities. We are looking forward to welcoming more people back to camp, to wander the trails, to tackle the hills, and to sit quietly wrapped in the gentle magic of this sacred space. We are grateful to everyone for their generosity, support, and prayers that have inspired and sustained us during these uncertain and challenging times.

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Respectfully submitted,

Brad Graham, Chair – PWCC Board of Directors