Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

News updates …
New COTF operational model includes move to Ottawa

After an extensive review of the operational model for the Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation (COTF), the Foundation's board voted on January 20, 2003 to relocate its office to the CAOT National Office in Ottawa. Since November 2002, COTF has worked in consultation with CAOT and Don Pollock, a volunteer consultant with Management Advisory Services to review the operating model of the Foundation. This review was undertaken to ensure that the Foundation is making the best use of donated funds for supporting research and scholarship in occupational therapy.

The review indicated the need to change the operations of COTF by intentionally seeking out synergies between CAOT and COTF and re-examining current approaches to fundraising. The review noted that a measure of duplication, especially in administration functions, occurs between the Foundation and the Association, increasing costs of operating the Foundation relative to the funds raised.

“This is not a sudden decision,” says COTF President, Deb Cameron. “When CAOT offered us the use of space in its Ottawa office, we decided to explore this option very carefully. The results of this review, plus the outcome of an August 2002 survey of COTF donors clearly indicated a widespread support of the relocation.”

When COTF was created, CAOT recognized the Foundation would need operating support and currently provides an annual operating grant of $100,000 for this purpose. CAOT also provides a wide range of in-kind services such as space in OT Now and at Conference to help increase the Foundation’s profile in the community. CAOT President, Mary Manojlovich notes however that, “our Board has always been conscious that the grant comes from membership funds and that we have to be accountable for the best use of those funds in achieving excellence in occupational therapy. Providing space in our National Office for Foundation operations will provide more COTF dollars that can be used for scholarly activities.”

The next step is to develop the principles underlying the new operating model for the Foundation. COTF and CAOT will consult with members and other stakeholders to develop these principles. “We will use this as an opportunity to apply the learning both organizations have acquired over the last 20 years to create a model reflective of today’s environment,” says Deb Cameron.

Upcoming competitions
March 1  OSOT Presentation Awards        (2 x $1,000)
March 15 Publication Grants                       (2 x $3,000)
March 31 Marita Dyrbye Memorial Award (1 x $500)
Doctoral Scholarships                                 (2 x $2,000)
For details and application forms see the Grants section at www.cotfcanada.org.

Doctoral scholarship grant increased
As of January 2003, doctoral scholarships have been increased from $1,000 to $2,000. Because COTF did not award any doctoral scholarships in 2002 it will have two competitions in 2003. Competition deadlines are March 31 and September 30.

Recent award recipients
Master’s Scholarships ($1,000)               Rachel Devitt and Sheila Heinicke
Goldwin Howland Scholarship ($2,000)  Clea Stewart
Thelma Cardwell Scholarship ($2,000)    Brenda Vrkljan

A trio of offerings at Conference 2003

1. Negotiating the grants maze
   Monday, May 26 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
2. Silent Auction Fundraiser
   Monday, May 26 6:30 pm
3. COTF Scholarly Luncheon
   Tuesday, May 27

Your support counts
COTF sincerely thanks the following individuals and organizations for their generous financial support during the period of September 15 to December 31, 2002. Donations received after December 31 will be acknowledged in the next issue.

Antoinette Alleyne
Philip Anisman
Joanne Assaly
Esther Atkin
Theresa Babichuk
Sue Baptiste
Doris Barberio
Ingrid Barlow
Joan Bartlett
Marlene Borenstein
Linda Boronowski
Jane Bowman
Cornelia Brack
Margaret Brockett
Diane Brokenshire
Susan Brooks
Karen Brunsch
Deb Cameron
Donna Campbell
CAOT
Patricia Card
Monique Carrière
Anne Chapman-Heinemeyer
Jonathan Cheung
Mary Cho
Mary Clark Green
Fernanda Coelho
Joanie Conrad
Jane Cox
Joanne  Coyle
Janet Craik
Lori Dalcourt
Sandra Daughen
Mary Alice Davis
Johanne Desrosiers
Sandra Dewsberry
Digisplint Canada
Magdalena Dilthey
Jude Driscoll
Claire-Jehanne Dubouloz
Bridget Duckworth
Gloria Dueck
Wendy Edgett
Tamra Ellis
Emilie  Embrey
Margie Fairburn
Susan Farrow-Hutcheson
Joyce Field
Marcia Finlayson
Susan Finlayson
Pat Fisher
Lorna Fox
Andy Freeman
Sharon Geleyn
Brenda Goossen
Janice Hagel
Karen Hamblett
Sheila Hamilton
Johanna Herbst
Rosalie Herschorn
George Hines
Beth Hopkins
Norma Horner
Barbara Inniss
Invacare Canada
Helen Jensen
Jeff Jutai
Jennifer Keirstead
Shirra Kenworthy
Dorothy Kessler
Lucy Ann Kubina
Heidi Lebel
Pat Leece
Joyce MacKinnon
Margaret MacLure
Rosemary Maratta
Pierrette Mathieu
Max Bell Foundation
Katherine McKay
Cheryl Missiuna
Connie Mitchell
Ben & Patricia Mortenson
Jane Nakonechny
Noreen O’Reilly
Barbara O’Shea
Jacklyn Pearce
Jan Polgar
Nancy Pollock
Lila Quastel
Lorna Reimer
Patricia Rigby
Jillian Rihela
Nira Rittenberg
Patricia Rodgers
Donna Rodier
Linda Rolstone
Royal Canadian Legion
Sandra Sahagian Whalen
Christine Savage
Jacinthe Savard
W.P. Scott Foundation
Angela Sekulic
Barbara Sexton
Dorothy Skinner
Barbara Siemens
Cher Smith
Marlene Stern
Thelma Sumsion
Melinda Suto
Lynda Swan
Beth Ten Hove
Linda Theessen
Maureen Thiel
Cheryl Thompson
Barry Trentham
Stancie Trueman
UWO OT Department
Irene Vrckovnik
Irving Weekes
Muriel Westmorland
Seanne Wilkins
Frances Williams
Clarissa Wong
Gabriele Wright
Andrea Wuetherick
Jennifer Yeo
Karen Zehnal
4 anonymous donors

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