OCS Annual Outcomes Report 2014-2015
Message from the Chair Thinking About Resilience …
Options Community Services (OCS) is very resilient. As Chair, I see resilience everywhere throughout the organization: from the committed governance work of the Board right out to the program operations. We are grateful and thankful for our management and staff leadership and the very special OCS volunteer and staff workforce.
Tim Beachy Board Chair
This past year we experienced the unfortunate passing of Darrell Ferner, one of our founding staff members, at the age of fifty-nine. Darrell was sometimes referred to as “Mr. Options” because he exemplified commitment to the core values of Options and he was a great ambassador for our work and our organization. Darrell, as one of the staff leaders, worked closely with the Board of Directors, City officials, government funders, partner organizations, staff at all levels and directly with clients. He was everywhere, he was effective, he was resilient, and he typified the best of the character of Options Community Services. That spirit of resilience is alive and well. In the last year we have: • continued to expand and deepen the services we offer children, youth and families throughout the community; • achieved a superb accreditation cycle in which OCS scored maximum points across the board and won fast-track approval for the first time; • developed concrete and dynamic strategic plans, matched by detailed operational plans that will bring significant change to OCS; • renewed our commitment to engagement, a revitalized membership and community participation in our planning; • invested in infrastructure, program development, training and program growth; • Implemented focused leadership development programs from the Executive Director right through to front-line supervisors – a commitment to be the best we can be; • enhanced Board governance policies and practices and continued development of a diverse and community-representative Board; and, • been led by a dynamic, adaptable Executive Team of high quality and committed performers who know how to lead and to change. Last January, OCS organized a well-attended memorial event to honour Darrell Ferner’s life and his work with OCS. But more than that, every single day our management, staff and volunteers exemplify those values, character and resilience. It is that resilience that will stand the test of time and the challenges we will face in the years ahead.
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