Here are a few quotes from the Canadian MS Society Renewal Initiative Paper 3 - (Updated: June 1 2012)
They may be sugar coating their words, but they are being forced to downsize. Less cash is being raised and their overhead is way too high. They say this started after 2009, right after news of CCSVI went global.
Looks like the MS Societies inaction on CCSVI is forcing them to become more lean. Sounds like they must downsize their Toronto head office to something less expensive.
Maybe they shouldn't have listened to those Neuroland talking heads, who only focus on the golden MS drug pipeline and their mid-century autoimmune theory.
Collectively we have used these modern social media tools, to tell the truth. Now, many people are no longer supporting the MS Society.
They have no one to blame but themselves.
Let the fallout begin...
WaYnE
MS Society of Canada - Renewal Initiative Paper 3: Renewal
“During times of economic uncertainty and government cutbacks, revenue suffers while demand for MS Society services grows. With approximately 1,000 new cases of MS diagnosed every year, we must ensure we are able to meet the needs of those we serve. Currently, our ability to support people living with MS is under constraint.”
“In the fiscal year 2011, the MS Society, even after significant cost reductions, was forced to access reserves to fund overall MS Society activities. This will continue to be the case in 2012. This trend cannot continue or reserves will eventually run out forcing drastic cuts to services and research funding.”
“Part of the MS Society’s research contribution has previously involved a transfer to the MS Scientific Research Foundation where large, multi-centre, collaborative research grants are funded. Previously funded projects include studies of pediatric MS, genetic susceptibility and bone marrow transplantation. No transfers have been made to the Foundation since 2009, putting at risk our ability to fund the most innovative and collaborative MS research projects. Historically these projects have brought meaningful contributions to both quality of life today and insights that bring us closer to a cause and cure.”
“Reduce overall governance and focus it on activities that advance our mission – The current structure includes approximately 100 governing boards, all with the capacity to commit the organization to obligations ranging from HR, to real estate to IT products and services. This energy will be better spent focusing on those things that directly impact the people we serve. In a renewed model of the MS Society, the level of the organization closest to the ground will apply their governance responsibilities to make decisions on mission critical activities such as service provision (wellness, education, recreational and healthy living programs), grassroots fundraising, volunteer engagement and research education.”
“Not all staff with nationwide responsibilities will necessarily be located in Toronto. For those that are, the home office (formerly the national office) in Toronto will move to a smaller, less expensive rental space. The layout of the new location will reflect a more collaborative space with fewer walls and offices.”
“The MS Society will continue to have a network of offices across the country. The network will be reduced in number and will use less total office space. From these offices, MS Society of Canada staff will provide support to the various activities of the organization.”
“Chapters will be re-organized into 40 - 60 regional hubs and governed by regional councils which will provide direction on activities such as client service provision (support, recreational, education and wellness programs), fundraising, research education and advocacy. The area a hub will cover will vary but will consider such factors as population and driving distance to towns/cities. Hubs will be supported by MS Society staff and volunteers.”
“We will be leaner across all levels of the organization, including a reduction in the size and number of offices, but we will not sacrifice engagement or activities at the community level.”
“Overall, the MS Society will have a leaner senior management team. This will be achieved by assigning larger portfolios of responsibility (geographic or functional) to a smaller number of executives. This structure will allow leadership for nationwide initiatives to take place from anywhere in Canada.”
http://mssociety.ca/en/community/mssc/renewal.htm
