MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT This was my first year as President of Trails Manitoba , and what an exciting year it was .
Our first great accomplishment was the hiring of Tim Coffin as Executive Director in May 2019 . Tim came to us after a successful career in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Junior Executive Officer and Pilot . His military background has come in handy with the Board as he ensures that we are well organized and coordinated . Tim ’ s passion for trails is equally matched by his enthusiasm for learning new things , and his affable nature that makes him a pleasure to work with .
Tim was able to get off to a strong start largely because of Janette Crawford , our long-time Executive Assistant . Janette ’ s institutional knowledge on Trails Manitoba was an important part in bringing both Tim and me up to speed . We greatly value Janette ’ s dedication to Trails Manitoba and we look forward to welcoming her back very soon .
Darcy Granove , our Provincial Trails Project Manager is another piece of the institutional knowledge that was integral in informing myself and Tim about the many projects that have been ongoing with Trails Manitoba . She has been a key connection from Trails Manitoba with many of the trail groups across the province and our ‘ eyes on the trail ’.
I would also like to recognize the incredible group of people that make up our Board of Directors . Although we don ’ t have an official position of Past President , I am eternally grateful to have had Ian Hughes stick around and coach me along through this past year . As Ian mentioned last year , our Board has been re-vitalized , and I think we are now really starting to find our groove . Every month there are more good ideas coming from our Board meetings and I am very excited about where Trails Manitoba is heading with this enthusiastic group in charge .
Our Board is extremely thankful for the support we received this year from The Winnipeg Foundation to bring in trainers from Volunteer Manitoba to provide us a workshop on Roles and Responsibilities and Financial Oversight of a Non-Profit Board . This was a fun workshop day that culminated in a walking tour led by Adrian Alphonso around downtown Winnipeg and St . Boniface .
We will be looking ahead this spring to reactivating several of our Committees . These Committees will include Board members , but we also want to bring in non-Board members including members of our trail groups . If you have an interest in becoming more involved with Trails Manitoba but may want to limit your commitment to a single topic , please get in touch with Tim or myself . We would love to have your input and passion for trails assist the work of these very important committees .
Additional activities that we will be working on in the coming months are updates to several of our policies , including formalizing a Land Acknowledgement , and revisiting the Strategic Plan that was started at our AGM 2 years ago . We also are beginning discussions in how we can support all trails throughout Manitoba . As you will see in our Financial Report coming up , Trails Manitoba is at a point where we need to work hard to find new funding opportunities to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization . I know our team will be up to the task .
We had one resignation from the Board earlier this year . Duke Li served as our Treasurer for 8 months . We thank Duke for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours .
I want to express all of our gratitude to the Province of Manitoba for that fantastic news this morning of a further investment in trails in our province . We are grateful for the long-standing support . The funding announced today will help address critical gaps , safety concerns , and emergency repairs to several beloved trails in our beautiful Provincial Parks as well as promote sustainability in the adaptive re-use of two pedestrian bridges from Kings Park in Winnipeg . This support is in large part because of the continued hard work of Steve Demmings on behalf of Trails Manitoba . Steve may no longer be employed by us , but he is continuing to advocate for us and be a champion for us .
Finally , I want to mention the unprecedented times we are all currently experiencing . COVID-19 has changed the world . It is telling that the number one place that people are drawn to in these uncertain times is our parks and trails . Every trail group and trail volunteer should feel an immense sense of pride for the hard work that you have done to provide these quiet places for respite and healing . You have provided a great service and there are so many people that are thankful for the work that you have done and continue to do .
I encourage everyone to get out onto your favourite local trail ( following appropriate guidelines for physical distancing of course ) and find your calming and healing space as we navigate these challenging times together .
Thank you to all the volunteers that build and maintain our wonderful trails across the Province . Thank you to our financial supporters ( the Province of Manitoba – Health , Seniors , and Active Living , the Trans-Canada Trail , and many private donors ).
Erik Dickson President
Annual Report -2019 Year in Review p . 4