NFCS AGM

Jun 24, 2010

Northern Frontenac Community Services (NFCS) held their 35th Annual General Meeting on June 17 at the Olden Hall. The anniversary brought a celebratory mood to the proceedings, which were hosted by long-time NFCS staffer Mike Procter.

Procter pointed out that over the years NFCS has maintained a tight connection with the community it served in the portion of Frontenac County north of Verona that now encompasses North, Central and parts of South Frontenac townships.

“Occasionally over the 35 years, NFCS has lost its way or become complacent, and the community has told us very clearly that this was happening. We’ve had to listen or we would have lost community support, and that would have been the end of us,” Mike Procter said.

NFCS provides a basket of services for seniors, families and children out of its office on Garrett Street in the centre of Sharbot Lake and from the Child Centre on Highway 38 just north of the village.

Services for seniors include an Adult Day Program, foot care, friendly visiting, meals on wheels, a referral service and more. Family counselling, a women’s program, mental health, adult protective services and more are also offered. The Child Centre offers day care and nursery services and a summer program. It is the Ontario Early Years Centre for the region, providing early education services through workshops, weekly baby groups and drop-ins throughout the county. A youth program is also provided out of the Child Centre.

Procter introduced Don Amos to the membership. Don Amos took on the role of executive director of NFCS in early April. He said he appreciates the welcome he has received from the staff at the agency and the community as a whole since taking on his new job. “The staff has been very welcoming. They’ve even been willing to listen to my ideas for change, which I appreciate,” said Amos, who then paused for effect before saying, “and then they go back to doing things the same way they always have.”

A keynote address was delivered by Amy Ruttan from the City of Kingston. She explained how funding for childcare spaces and other children’s programming is allocated to NFCS and other agencies that work with children.

Susan Leslie, who retired as executive director this spring, was presented with a painting, courtesy of the NFCS Board of Directors. The painting was a watercolour by a former NFCS Director of Adult Services, Linda Rush.

In addition to electing a 10-member board, the presentation of a life membership was made to Jeff Green, a long-time board member.