First, I feel it is important that we recognize the hard work and dedication of the ISSC Board members. The International Sailors Society Canada has a 100-plus-year history of supporting seafarers and seafarer centres across Canada. And we are privileged to have a dedicated and nationally representative Board of Directors, that work diligently through Committees to deliver support to those in the seafaring community. It is also significant that the ISSC Board composition has inducted three Honorary Directors, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the work and the ideals of the ISSC. A Board set to continue the good work and make a difference!
This past year, the Board finalized the strategic mandate work that frames the ISSC mission, vision and purpose. Every Committee then set annual goals that draw a line of sight back to the ISSC strategic mandate. The final step was to operationalize these goals so that they can be measured and reported on. With the conclusion of this work, I am pleased to present to this AGM the ISSC Annual Goal Achievement Report for 2023/24 for which I hope will serve as a model for ISSC reporting going forward.
Specifically, last year the ISSC supported seven Seafarer Centres distributing more than $7,000 to each, for a total of $50,000 from the Grant program. The Peter G. Bernard Volunteer Recognition Award was presented to Deacon Art Mitchell for his outstanding contribution of his support the welfare of seafarers on the Canadian east coast. The Bursary Committee is set to award Sue Hanby Bursary in support of a students’ educational financial aid. And the Fundraising & Events Committee, Day of the Seafarer, Peak Challenge 2023, another sold out event with more than 100 participants! This fun and challenging event, helps to raise awareness and pay tribute to the unique contributions made by seafaring professionals.
Finally, as I came into the Chair role last year, it felt like the right time to refresh the ISSC website. The goal was to elevate all the good work that the ISSC does over the year so that those that are curious on our mission, can read about the journey. I want to thank Jane McIvor who donated her time to help kick start the process, Richard Smith for his invaluable IT expertise, Yoss Leclerc and Thomas Gregoire for their suggestion and contribution on the journey to make the website bilingual and finally to Kevin Obermeyer for his assistance to move this all forward. Phase 2 will look to add content in support of the ISSC’s 100 plus year history.
Thank you for the ISSC Board’s support.
Dena Rantz
ISSC Chair, 2023/24