IEEE Canadian Foundation
Annual Meeting of the Members, April 8, 2010
The Past Year
2009 was another good year for our foundation in terms of philanthropic activities and refining our administrative procedures, as well as increasing our outreach to IEEE members in Canada.
Grants Awarded in 2009
The Board awarded a total of $42,063 as 3 IEEE McNaughton Learning Resource Centre Grants (all upgrades), 5 IEEE Canadian Foundation Scholarships, 7 IEEE Canadian Foundation Special Grants, 1 IEEE Canada Vehicular Technology Travel Grant, 1 IEEE Canada Power Quality Scholarship, 1 IEEE Canada Women in Engineering Prize, Funding for 1 IEEE Canada Medal (W.S. Read Outstanding Service Award) and 2 IEEE Canadian Foundation Québec Science Fair Prizes. In terms of the previous year’s income, we received $46,000 in investment income and $18,900 in donations for a total of $64,900. This year, for the first time, we received and funded a grant request in our new Humanitarian category of Special Grants.
Donations
We have received $16,209 in unrestricted donations – down about $2,500 from the previous year but very gratifying given that 2009 was a financially difficult year for many Canadians. We are now tracking donations in three categories that describe the method of giving; IEEE dues renewal process $11,743, cheques mailed to the treasurer $2,400, and our Canada Helps online donation site $2,065. In addition, we are receiving $20,000 from the IEEE Foundation to endow the IEEE Canada R.H. Tanner Industry Leadership Medal.
Communicating with IEEE members in Canada
The Fall 2009 issue of the IEEE Canadian Review carried our first Honour Roll of Donors which provided information for current and potential donors about our foundation, our donations process, and some success stories that donations enable. The Winter 2010 issue carried a two-page article by our V.P. Grants, David Whyte, that described our awards program. Our web site received a makeover in 2009 with a new home page and a greater focus on donors and the great things that result from donations of all kinds.
Relationships with IEEE Organizations
The IEEE Foundation created an ex-officio position on their Board of Directors for the IEEE Canadian Foundation President to create a permanent link between the two foundations. A Memorandum of Understanding is being developed between IEEE Canada and the IEEE Canadian Foundation and is at the stage where it has been unanimously approved by the Executive Committees of both organizations.
Evolving our Foundation Structure
Following bylaw changes approved by the IEEE Board at its February 2009 meeting, the IEEE Canadian Foundation Board approved at its November 2009 meeting, the renaming of two committees; the Investment Committee became the Finance Committee with oversight of budget development added to oversight of investment management, the Nominations Committee became the Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee with added responsibility for the new Operations Manual. This committee is recommending that the Donations Committee be renamed the Development Committee with the added responsibility of publicity. The committee is also recommending the creation of a Section Liaison Committee to build bridges with our Canadian IEEE Sections. Following the creation of the Investment Advisory Committee, and subsequent meetings of that committee, a document entitled “Investment Guidelines and Objectives” will be presented for approval of the Board at this set of meetings.
IEEE Canadian Foundation Mission Statement
Our mission statement, unanimously approved at our 2009 AGM, is as follows:
The IEEE Canadian Foundation cultivates resources and relationships to advance IEEE's core purpose to foster technological innovation and excellence to benefit humanity.
The IEEE Canadian Foundation fulfills its purpose:
- by awarding special grants to new and innovative projects within Canada that seek to apply technology for the benefit of humanity, and
- by awarding grants to IEEE student branches in Canada to support IEEE McNaughton Learning Resource Centres and related scholarships, and
- by serving as the fund administrator for peer recognition programs and scholarships within Canada
The phrase "cultivates resources and relationships" is the key expression of what foundations should be doing and is the prime reason for many of the developments implemented over the past year and proposed in this set of meetings.
Awards and Recognitions of Foundation Members
Congratulations to the following IEEE Canadian Foundation members
- Mo El-Hawary is being awarded the 2010 IEEE Canada W.S. Read Outstanding Service Award in recognition of 45 years of dedicated leadership and service to IEEE at the local, national, and international levels.
- Ray Findlay will receive the IEEE Haraden Pratt Award at the annual IEEE Honors Ceremony which will be held in Montreal this summer. The citation reads "for sustained leadership at IEEE and regional levels in effecting positive change for IEEE and its members".
NOTE: Ray Findlay was IEEE President in 2002
- Bob Alden received the EIC John B. Sterling Medal in recognition
of leadership and distinguished service at the national level within the
Institute and/or its Member Societies.
Closing Comments
I thank all my fellow members of the IEEE Canadian Foundation, the volunteer leadership of both IEEE Canada and the IEEE Foundation, and associated staffs, for your inspiration, advice and support
Sincerely,
Robert T.H. (Bob) Alden, Ph.D., P.Eng., F EIC, LF IEEE
President
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