When:  Wednesday, March 24 – 1:00 to 4:00 pm

                  Tuesday, March 30 – 4:oo to 7:00 pm

Where: 153 Chapel Street (Corner of Rideau and Chapel) Ottawa

Enjoy refreshments, meet our members, staff and Board members, and learn about all the ways the Community Laundry Co-op creates community!

Wish List

• 3 in 1 printer, or 4 in 1 printer
• Industrial mop and bucket
• Funds for First Aid and CPR Training
• Industrial washers/dryers (2)
• Computer mouse (wireless)
• New floors (industrial tiles)
• Obus forme back support
• Large laminator
• Step-stool (mini-ladder)
• Self-serve washers/dryers (2)
• Laundry baskets
• Air purifier/cleaner
• Air conditioner

The Co-op achieved two major milestones in 2008/09:

• Incorporation of the Co-op
• Contract with the Ottawa Mission

 For more on the AGM, stay tuned for our upcoming Fall 2009 newsletter. 

Sharon Mood Award 

This year’s Sharon Moon Award was presented to Marjorie Kort, a CLC founder and former Board Member representing the Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC). Kort is described as one of the Co-op’s most enthusiastic supporters, who took on the task of persuading CCHC to fund the Co-op during its beginnings ten years ago. As a nurse who has held several social service positions, it can be said that wherever there is a community cause in need of support – you will find Marjorie.“It’s great to receive recognition from a program I have so much respect for,” said Kort. “Sharon Moon was one of my icons – a strong leader in the Centretown community.” The award, named in honour of a long-time Co-op supporter and volunteer, is presented annually to a volunteer who has contributed significantly to the Co-op’s ongoing success.

Leslie Irvine Award

This year’s Leslie Irvine Memorial Award was presented to Jinyu Chi and Kathy Erb. The award is presented annually to active participants of the Co-op who are dedicated members and volunteers. Congratulations!

The Ottawa Chapter of Voluntary Organizations (OCVO) hosted a gathering in November to bring together people from voluntary organizations to share ideas and strategies for coping with the economic downturn. Approximately 60 people were present, among them representatives from the Laundry Co-op. Participants were asked to share responses to seven questions, reflecting upon the effect of the downturn on our clients and the demand for our services, our response strategy for both the short and long term, and ways to support our services and infrastructures. The results of the discussion were shared in plenary.

It was agreed by all that change is here to stay – we must look at managing that change proactively. We were heartened to see that the Centretown Laundry Co-op (CLC) is already doing so in many ways. Some of the strategies already utilized by CLC are:

• Partnerships with other like-minded organizations. Note our partnership with Families Matter, who are sharing part of the Community Economic Develop¬ment work.
• Sharing of resources. Note our relationship with Heartwood House, the home of the Laundry Co-op. Heartwood House offers member groups an affordable space with the belief that “we are better together”. On a practical level, groups share meeting rooms, photocopiers, fax machines and other resources, but more impor tantly we are a “village of community minded people who take the time to know each other  and support each other.” The result is mutual respect, assistance, and success.
• Connecting with Community Health Centres in the area to know what services and opportunities are in the community in order to both serve our clients and avoid duplication.
• Connecting with Community Health Centres in the area to know what services and opportunities are in the community in order to both serve our clients and avoid duplication.
• Actively recruiting additional members for the Board of Management in order to provide strong leadership for the years ahead.

Initiatives for the upcoming year:

• Telling our Story , a workshop, is being planned for the late winter to help our mem¬bers develop skills in story-telling so that more people can learn about our organi¬zation and its positive impact on the lives of ordinary people.
• Creating more opportunities for people to donate to the Laundry Co-op. The Board is thinking creatively in order to expand its funding base.
• Working with the OCVO to create a strategic communications plan to the com¬munity to help raise awareness of the economic downturn on the voluntary sec¬tor. While it is true that the economic challenges are significant, we are assessing our
• situation honestly and creating a plan for moving forward. By continuing to be good stewards of our resources and working on creative strategies for expanding our base
• of support, we have every confidence that the Laundry Co-op will continue to thrive
• in the years ahead, and so continue to serve our members.