POINT by POINT

North Toronto Community Fair

On October 28, POINT organized the the 7^th annual North Toronto Community Fair held in the Yonge-Eglinton Centre shopping mall. Eighteen local agencies had display tables filled with information on the myriad programs and services which include health, employment, parenting, social justice, legal and recreational for individuals of all ages, that are provided to North Toronto residents.

Health Information Centre Co-ordinator, Marg Muir from Sunnybrook & Womens College Hospital discusses resources available at the Health Information Centre with Ingrid Shankland.

The following agencies participated: Amnesty International, Group 65; Central Eglinton Community Centre; Distress Centre of Toronto; North Toronto Community Band; North Toronto Green Community; North York Womens Centre; Parents in Transition; Parkdale Golden Age Foundation; POINT; SAINTS (Student Assistance In North Toronto for Seniors); Second Mile Club Orchard View Branch; Self-Help Resource Centre; SPRINT (Senior People Resources In North Toronto); Sunnybrook & Womens College Hospital, Health Information Centre; Toronto Police Services, 53 Division; Toronto Public Health; and Toronto Public Library Northern District Branch.

In addition to the attractive display tables, we were all entertained by Soul singer Jay Douglass velvety voice. He definitely caused a lot of people to stop in their tracks to not only listen to some great renditions but to peruse the Fair as well. Later in the afternoon, we again had a couple of demonstrations from the Centre for Classical Martial Arts where people could see examples of Karate-do, Jiu-Jitsu, Kobudo, Tai Chi and Iaido. Meanwhile throughout the afternoon, representatives from Parkdale Golden Age Foundation served delicious healthy samples of vegetarian chili and fruit salad.

One of the great things about the North Toronto Community Fair is that it is also an opportunity to enhance the relationship between the community sector and the business sector, namely the Yonge and Eglinton mall merchants. We were thrilled that we had a record number of merchants contributing draw prizes for the people attending the Fair. They include: Radio Shack; Grand and Toy; Legs Beautiful; Reitmans; !ndigo book store; Pharma Plus; HMV Canada; A Buck or Two; Churrisiomo Café; Cotton Ginny; and Gems & Jewellery. We thank these merchants for their support and participation their terrific prizes added to the excitement of the Fair.

As one Fair participant exclaimed, It was good to have such varied display tables laid out; along with an interesting variety of entertainment. If you havent had the chance to visit the North Toronto Community Fair to learn more about what local programs and services are available for you, as well as possibly winning a great prize from a Yonge-Eglinton Centre merchant, mark the last week of October 2005 in your calendar for the next one!

Thaw the Chill

on Advocacy by Charities

Thaw the Chill on Advocacy by Charities was the topic of a recent workshop sponsored by United Way of Greater Toronto [UWGT] and presented by the Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society [IMPACS]. Why is this of particular importance to POINT?

First, advocating change has been a keystone in POINTS life. Both SPRINT and The Anne Johnston Health Station were created because POINT advocated on behalf of the North Toronto community for additional resources in our community to address unmet and fundamental needs of our citizens.

Second, POINTs present strategic direction [2000 2005] asserts: POINT will work to enhance access to health and social services for people in the North Toronto Community, including those who are at risk, by increasing awareness of existing services, identifying unmet needs through research and community development, and addressing unmet needs through community development, leadership and advocacy.

Canada Revenue Agencys [CRA] new guidelines on how political activity and advocacy are defined for the purposes of determining what portion of the work done by charities constitutes political activity was the focus of this daylong session. This knowledge is crucial for charities because exceeding the guidelines can jeopardize an organizations status as a charity.

Since advocacy is entrenched in our mission statement, we at POINT must thoroughly understand both what does & does not constitute advocacy and political activity as well as how the CRA guidelines entail our work.

This workshop provided a history of the activities that have lead to the CRAs changes, outlined the kinds of activities in which charities can and cannot participate; defined political activities and in that context explored the ambiguity of some of the wording in CRAs Policy Statement; and, provided some practical case material for participants to review and discuss. The workshop leaders were extremely knowledgeable and articulate. The material provided was also excellent and should be in every charitys technical reference files. Further workshops on this topic would be extremely helpful.

Many of you receiving this newsletter not only support POINTs work, but also play crucial roles as staff and volunteers in our sister agencies. Therefore, the following list of websites can provide valuable sources of information on this topic:

• CRA Policy Statement on Political Activities:

www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/charities
/policy/cps/cps-022-e.html

NOTE: you can also look at the form Registered Charity Information Return at the CRA website. It is form number T3010A E.

• IMPACS paper Tax Policy, Charities and Democracy in Canada, A Summary of the Problem and Remedy:

• Ministry of Finance Budget 2004 & Regulatory Reforms Relating to Charities:

• StatsCan Highlights of Satellite Account of Nonprofit Institutions & Volunteering [published Sept. 2004]

www.statcan.ca
(catalogue number 13-015-XIE)

In my view, CRA has taken steps to be clearer and more helpful in defining what charities can and cannot do in the realms of advocacy and political activity. However, much work remains to make the definitions of, and guidelines for, advocacy and political activity clearer and unambiguous. There is also the question of whether or not the limitations on the maximum percentage of an organizations resources that can be devoted to these types of activities [no more than 10% per annum] is reasonable.

POINT would welcome any comments that any of you may have as a result of your own experiences with this issue. Please e-mail your comments to .

(Workshop overview and commentary provided by Pat Taylor, POINT Board Chair)

The Rotary Club of Toronto-Forest Hill

Lynn Stellini, POINT Board , accepts a cheque from Don Cassidy, Director of Community Services, Rotary Club of Toronto—Forest Hill

The men and women of the Rotary Club have been proud financial supporters of the POINT newsletter for the last several years. The Rotary Club of Toronto-Forest Hill was established in North Toronto over 50 years ago and continues to meet every Thursday afternoon. Through their fundraising efforts over the years, they have been able to support many local and international causes as well as support local youth in such sports as North Toronto hockey, lacrosse and soccer. The Rotary Club of Toronto-Forest Hill is most proud of supporting a childrens breakfast program, The Hugh MacMillan Medical Centre Musical Program for Cognitive Children, Silver Creek Snozelen Room in Etobicoke, and many more worthy non-profit organizations. They have welcomed many new members to their club and continue to grow each year. The Rotary Club of Toronto-Forest Hill invites you to join them for lunch each Thursday at 111 Avenue Road (beside Whole Foods in Yorkville). Come and meet new people and make business contacts in your community. Please visit the clubs web-site for more information. www.clubrunner.ca/torontoforesthill

Seniors' Community Dining Program

Made possible through partnerships with: SPRINT, Parkdale Golden Age Foundation, POINT, The Departments of Parks and Recreation, and Public Health.
Location: North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, 200 Eglinton Ave. West.
Tickets ($5.25) can be purchased at the POINT kiosk desk in the Community Centre

Mark Your Calendar!

• New POINT Legal Clinic—Starts every 2nd Friday, 9:30am - 12:00pm
  For more information call POINT at 416-487-2390
• North Toronto Daycare & Nursery /Preschool Fair
  Saturday, February 26, 2005, 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. - North Toronto Memorial Community Centre
  For more information call POINT at 416-487-2390
• Seniors' Home-Care Forum—Tuesday, November 16, 11:00am - 12:30pm
  For more information call POINT at 416-487-2390

Seniors' Community Dining Program

Made possible through partnerships with: SPRINT, Parkdale Golden Age Foundation, POINT, The Departments of Parks and Recreation, and Public Health.
Location: North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, 200 Eglinton Ave. West.
Tickets ($5.25) can be purchased at the POINT kiosk desk in the Community Centre

POINT Mission Statement