December 2017 - In This Issue
  • Happy Holidays!
  • Dufferin Community Foundation
  • DC MOVES
  • Farm to School Report Card
  • Volunteer Dufferin
Happy Holidays from Headwaters Communities In Action
We wish you the happiest of holidays and best wishes for 2018!

On behalf of our Leadership Council, project groups and volunteers, we send warm wishes for a safe and happy holiday. Let us all enjoy this special time with family, neighbours and friends, and rejoice in living in such a wonderful community.
Dufferin Community Foundation
Over the past 16 months, a dedicated group of volunteers have been planning and developing a community foundation for Dufferin. The foundation is now incorporated with charitable status in process and a planned launch in mid-2018.

What is a Community Foundation and what can it do for the Dufferin County area?

Community foundations create and manage many kinds of funds, with the largest type being endowment funds. The funds are invested, and the income generated by the funds is spent to support charitable organizations in our area.

Significant funds come to community foundations from estate bequests. Using an established community foundation is more cost effective than setting up a private foundation, especially for smaller amounts.

There are over 191 community foundations across Canada, and Dufferin is surrounded by communities that have their own foundations. Our steering committee has gained significant insight through extensive conversations with the umbrella organization, Community Foundations of Canada, and with our neighbouring community foundations in Muskoka, Grey Bruce, Centre Wellington, Guelph, Caledon and Brampton.

We are now getting the word out to our community. The steering committee has presented to municipal governments in Dufferin, and have motions of support from the majority of municipal councils. A number of municipal councils have also made financial contributions to support the start up costs of the foundation.

If you have any questions or if you are interested in participating as a board member or committee member please contact us using our online form.
DC MOVES Better Together
Upcoming 2018 DC MOVES events

  • Wednesday January 17, 2018: The DC MOVES Poverty Reduction Task Force will be hosting a Community Poverty Reduction Summit. Please visit our website for details and to register.

  • Thursday February 8, 2018: Please come out to our 1st DC MOVES FORUM of 2018. Details and registration will be available on the DC MOVES website in the new year.

We are saying a great BIG thank you to Carol Good who has done amazing work over the initial year in the DC MOVES Coordinator role. The incoming Coordinator, Elaine Capes, is excited to embark on the next year to continue the collaborative work that is well underway.

Wishing you the best of the season and looking forward to connecting with you in the new year. 
Farm to School - Report Card
We want to hear from you!

The popular Farm to School programs from Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance are undergoing a formal evaluation and the team is asking for your input to keep the programs community-driven.

There is still time to add your voice for the future of Farm to School in Headwaters. The final intake for stakeholder surveys closes on December 22nd.
Volunteer Dufferin
As we reflect upon the year past and look forward to the year ahead we want to thank all of you – our member organizations – for the important work you do to make our community a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Volunteer Dufferin has come a long way since its inception in 2012. Here are some highlights from 2017:
  • Restructuring – Volunteer Dufferin is now a project of HCIA (Headwaters Communities in Action)
  • Removal of membership fee so all organizations receive the benefits of membership at no cost, with no need to renew as membership is ongoing
  • Brand new mobile-friendly, customized website www.volunteerdufferin.ca with additional features including profile page for each organization with direct link to their website and unlimited posting opportunities
  • Expanded social media exposure through our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for our members
  • Enhanced marketing and community outreach through our new rack cards, speaking engagements, presentations and regular posts in HCIA and DC Moves “What’s on the Move” newsletters
  • Resource listing maintained and updated on the website

We have been able to accomplish this by virtue of the grant we received from the Ontario Ministry of Immigration and Citizenship, for which we are truly grateful.

The grant period concludes in March 2018, and we will be seeking your input in the New Year in order to find out things like:
  • Did you have more enquiries and/or volunteer placements as a result of the new website?
  • Were the resources on the website helpful to you?
  • What positive changes did you experience as a result of your membership in Volunteer Dufferin?

We’ll be in touch in the New Year to get your feedback.
We wish you the happiest of holidays and best wishes for 2018!
Be an Engaged Citizen
Are you interested in making life better together? Calling all future Board members! If you are passionate about your community then we would like to meet with you. Please connect with us to arrange a meeting!
We couldn’t do it without you!
Thank you to our many partners, stakeholders and volunteers who make up HCIA and its project groups. Our primary funders are the Ontario Trillium Foundation and United Way of Guelph Wellington Dufferin. We`re all Making life better together!
Listings about existing transportation options available in Headwaters, learn about eligibility requirements, hours of service and cost.
Over 20 trail descriptions, details and maps in the Headwaters region. Take a hike, enjoy a meal and browse our local shops!