OUTSTANDING: Finn Hovland, retiring CFO Board member (l.) receives the Adrian J. Coote award for outstanding service. Presenting the award is Adrian Coote.

CFO building on success 

OAKVILLE — Momentum from new partnerships and new funders helped shape a successful year for The Community Foundation of Oakville (CFO), as outlined in the Foundation’s Annual General Meeting held recently at the Holiday Inn in Oakville.

Highlights of 2007 included:

• Grants and disbursements to charities totaled $1,664,202

• Twenty new funds were established by donors (an increase of 25%)

• Assets under management reached $33,929,371

• First quartile results achieved in the investment returns of CFO funds

• Recognition of The CFO as among the top 12 of the 158 community foundations in Canada, as measured by financial assets.

• Undertaking of Oakville’s Vital Signs, the first in an annual ‘community report card’ that will bring to light the town’s strengths and challenges. Part of a multi-community initiative, the report will be published this October.

Board Chair Terry Jackson announced the Board for 2008-2009: Tom Alton (Past Chair), Doug Brady, Carole Crotty, June Cockwell (Vice-Chair), Angela DiCintio, Florian Meyer (Treasurer), Debbie Noble (Secretary), Gordon Ross, John Quinn, Catherine Raaflaub, James Rager and Peter Willis. Finishing their terms this year are Finn Hovland and Cheryl Smith.

Attending the meeting was His Worship, Mayor Rob Burton who spoke on the impact of growth in Oakville.

Ford partners with Yahoo! to deliver industry-first

New website transforms consumers’ online experience

OAKVILLE — On May 8, in an unprecedented move, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited and Yahoo! Canada unveiled a global and industry-first feature on www.ford.ca.

The Ford automotive section of Yahoo! Answers has been imported directly into ford.ca. By clicking on the Ford Answer Centre, users can ask questions and find answers from actual Ford drivers in Yahoo! communities across the country. Not only is the partnership a global first for Yahoo! Canada, but Ford is also one of the first automakers to facilitate online conversations about its vehicles directly on its website.

“Ford has always been a pioneer in the automotive industry, and now we’re bringing this innovative spirit to our website as well,” said Dean Stoneley, vice-president, general marketing, Ford of Canada. “These new features will really transform the online experience of ford.ca visitors and create a user experience that is truly powered by you.”

Customers can also access Yahoo! Canada’s auto ratings on the ford.ca site making Ford among the few automotive companies to incorporate third party ratings.

“When it comes to cars, Canadians race to the Internet for answers,” says Kerry Munro, general manager, Yahoo! Canada. “We’re delighted to team with Ford to deliver this exciting new destination on the Internet. Through the power of Yahoo! Canada Answers, customers can access a wealth of information and accelerate their online search for all things Ford.”

In addition, streamlined site navigation makes it easy for potential buyers to browse and buy, and offers existing Ford vehicle owners options for enhancing their vehicles. The intuitive Build & Price feature provides potential buyers with a wealth of information, from powertrain choices to interior trim options.

Once consumers have equipped their chosen Ford model, they can use the site’s Compare function to see how their choice rates against other Ford models and competitors’ vehicles. With more than 50,000 vehicle images, this function will allow for comprehensive comparisons of standard equipment, performance and capability across various makes and models.

Current Ford owners will also appreciate new resources now available on the site, including owners’ guides, vehicle specifications and service histories for maintenance performed at Ford dealerships. MyFord also features interactive media content for loyal Ford drivers, such as podcast downloads.

The all-new ford.ca also exhibits ten original Canadian works of art commissioned by Ford of Canada. The original works are distinctive, each inspired by a Ford model, ranging from the Mustang to the Focus to the F-150.

Cable Control Systems/Digline receives award

OAKVILLE — On June 5, representatives from Cable Control Systems/ Digline received a distinguished health & safety award from the Electrical & Utilities Safety Association (E&USA).

The award was presented at the provincial safety association’s annual general conference, held in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Each year the association marks the achievements of its member firms with several different levels of awards.

Cable Control Systems/Digline received recognition of its successful completion of the ZeroQuest® Effort Level. Rachel McKenzie, Mike Rauseo, Sue Rauseo and Grant Steerken were able to attend this year’s event to receive this award.

The Effort Level is the second step in ZeroQuest®’s path to zero where the firm works toward integrating its health and safety system with productivity and profitability. To accomplish this, the firm establishes measurable strategic objectives and sets goals to attain them.

The E&USA ZeroQuest® Program guides firms through the process of building a sustainable health and safety system. It is comprised of four levels: Commitment, Effort, Outcomes and Sustainability each building upon the previous one. Participants work through the program levels focusing on a managed approach to health and safety. Upon successful completion of each level, a firm is recognized for its achievement and joins a growing number of firms that are actively demonstrating their commitment to E&USA’s vision of zero injuries and illness.

REWARDED: Accepting their award are (l. to r.) Mike Rauseo, Sue Rauseo, Rachel Mckenzie, Grant Sterken.

20 Journeys Photo Exhibit at Halton Regional Centre

Showcases stories of immigrants and their paths to employment success

OAKVILLE — The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) recently presented “20 Journeys: A Visual Essay of the Immigrant Experience” at the Halton Regional Centre in Oakville. A launch reception for employers was held in conjunction with Halton Region, Sheridan College, the Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville Chambers of Commerce, and the Human Resources Professionals Association of Halton. The exhibit was free to the public.

20 Journeys is a traveling exhibit of powerful photographs and stories of immigrants entering the labour market. It details the experiences of skilled immigrants, their journeys to achieving success, and the programs and employers that have shared in their milestones. The exhibit features immigrants from India, Sri Lanka, China, Columbia, Ghana, Greece, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Switzerland, the UK and the Ukraine.

“Effectively including skilled immigrants in the labour market is very important to Halton Region, where almost one quarter of Halton residents are immigrants,” said Gary Carr, Regional Chair of Halton Region. “It is also essential that local businesses understand the value immigrants bring to an organization. Their talents, skills and education assist companies to succeed, both locally and globally.”

In 2006, one quarter (24.8 percent) of the population in Halton Region, or 107,915 individuals, was born outside of Canada. In the Town of Oakville this number grows to 30 percent. Halton saw 13,100 new immigrants settle between 2001 and 2006 (StatsCan, Census 2006, Community Profiles).

“Halton Region and the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton and the Town of Oakville are becoming increasingly dependent on the contributions of skilled immigrants for our prosperity,” said Chair Carr. “We are pleased to be working with key stakeholders like TRIEC, Sheridan College, HRPAH, and the local Chambers of Commerce to ensure newcomers can put their skills to work.”

“20 Journeys reflects the experience of many immigrants who bring valuable skills, education and talent to the region each year,” said Elizabeth McIsaac, executive director of TRIEC. “We hope this exhibit will help to broaden public awareness on the benefits of including newcomers in our economy and society.”

MARATHON OF HOPE: In 1980, Terry Fox began his now historic Marathon of Hope. Following him every kilometre of his inspirational journey was a 1980 Ford Econoline van. Terry’s brother Darrell Fox stands beside the original van, which was recently completely restored to its original condition by Ford of Canada.

Terry Fox’s original “Marathon of Hope” van is unveiled for new tour

Van restored by Ford of Canada

OAKVILLE — The Terry Fox Foundation unveiled the original van used by Terry Fox during his Marathon of Hope in 1980, after completing extensive restorations by Ford of Canada.

With its whereabouts being unknown for the last 28 years, Darrell Fox, Terry’s brother and National Director of The Terry Fox Foundation, followed up on a tip and acquired the 1980 Ford Econoline van that was Terry’s home on the road.

Upon hearing that The Foundation had retrieved the van, Ford of Canada stepped up and committed to restoring the vehicle to its original condition. The van had been picked up and shipped from Burnaby, British Columbia to a specially equipped customization auto shop in Bradford, Ontario. A full restoration was conducted on the interior, exterior and powertrain of the vehicle, with the goal of returning the van to its original 1980 state. Work began this April and took over 1000 labour hours to complete.

“We were honoured to be invited by The Terry Fox Foundation to take on this special project,” said Barry Engle, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. “What Terry Fox accomplished in 1980 remains an enduring part of Canadian history, and at Ford of Canada, we are proud to have a role in this next chapter of Terry’s ongoing legacy.”

Now that the van is back to its 1980 condition, it’s hitting the road again. The Terry Fox Foundation also announced that the van would be going on a Canadian tour, starting in St. John’s, Newfoundland on May 25, produced and organized with the support of the employees of ScotiaMcLeod.

Plans have been prepared for the van to travel cross-country, making stops at hosted events and arriving in Victoria, British Columbia to coincide with this year’s start of the annual Terry Fox Run.

“1,000 Scotia McLeod employees in 50 locations are enthusiastically awaiting the arrival of the Fox Family and Terry’s van at locations coast-to-coast,” said Craig Jarvis, Manager and Advisor at ScotiaMcLeod. “In the spirit of Terry Fox, all events will be inclusive with no admission fees being charged. Our goal is to collect donations for cancer research.”

“Ford of Canada and ScotiaMcLeod have shown a sincere commitment to further Terry’s wish of eradicating cancer,” said Darrell Fox. “They have given us a chance to share Terry’s Marathon of Hope home with the country allowing the public to experience first hand Terry’s unselfish act to help us all.”

The first Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research was organized in 1981. In 1988, The Terry Fox Foundation became an independent trust and has continued to pursue Terry’s dream of finding a cure for cancer. To date, The Foundation has raised over $400 million dollars for cancer research. To further its fundraising mandate the Terry Fox Foundation will host the Terry Fox Works Day on Sept. 12, the Terry Fox Run on Sept. 14 and the National School Run Day on Sept. 26.