An urgent call for support from
Tatamagouche Centre
Tatamagouche Centre is experiencing challenging times and is in a serious financial situation. Last year the Centre incurred the biggest deficit in its history. And while deficits are not uncommon, the Centre’s trend toward growing deficits is cause for concern.
Many of you may not know, but the Centre does not receive any core funding other than an operating grant from the United Church and Maritime Conference. Together these contributions represent 16 per cent of the Centre’s budget. Sometimes people think that we are an education centre and therefore we must receive ongoing funding from government, but we do not. Tatamagouche Centre must generate the rest of the revenue that it requires to operate; it does so through the fees it charges for programs and services, through project-specific grants, and through donations.
What steps have been taken to address this? A number of months ago, the Board recognized that the Centre was in a period of dynamic transition and initiated a process of re-viewing and re-thinking how the Centre can continue to fulfill its mission and mandate of personal and social transformation.
- Last year, staff at the Centre initiated a project to grow hosting revenue and strengthen the Centre’s financial position. A new business plan has just been approved by the Board and is in the initial stages of implementation.
- We have embarked on a project to transform Stewart Hall into a model of energy efficiency – this could have a significant impact on the operating costs and could increase interest from groups looking for sustainable accommodations and event venues.
- Most recently, we have initiated a review of the Centre’s model of program delivery, and will be implementing changes to the way we staff, fund and offer programs at the centre beginning in 2016.
- Earlier this year the Board initiated a Financial Sustainability Task Group to begin exploring ways in which the Centre can make better use of its existing assets to generate revenue in ways that support and enhance the mission. These ideas will be the focus of our AGM on June 20. We will be looking for input and guidance from our community on specific ways we should move forward.
While we believe that the seeds of new thinking are at hand, we acknowledge that future seems uncertain given our current financial reality. If you love the Centre, if the Centre holds a special place in your heart, if you believe the Centre needs to be around for at least another 60 years, we need you now. Please lend your voice and be a part of the Centre’s re-birth.
Give 6
We’re celebrating 6 decades of living our mission -
inviting and challenging people from diverse backgrounds to personal wholeness, right relationships, respect for creation, and justice in the world.
inviting and challenging people from diverse backgrounds to personal wholeness, right relationships, respect for creation, and justice in the world.
It takes a community!
And we are calling on our community to Give 6.
And we are calling on our community to Give 6.
How? Make a $6 donation to the Centre this year.
That’s it. It’s that easy.
If you’re coming for a program, add $6
to your program fees.
If you’re buying items in our gift shop, add $6
to your purchase,
or drop $6 into our donation box.
First time donors: send $6 or sign up online to give $6 a month for 12 months.
Regular donors: increase your donation by $6 or other denomination that honours 6—eg., turn $50 into a $60 donation (or $66!).
First time donors: send $6 or sign up online to give $6 a month for 12 months.
Regular donors: increase your donation by $6 or other denomination that honours 6—eg., turn $50 into a $60 donation (or $66!).
If everyone chips in a little, it will go a long way!
