Highlights of the 2021 Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 - Dow Centennial Centre
From left to right: Penny Smith (Fort High School), Brandi Robertson & Teri Ewanchuk (PALSS), Katy Parsons (St. Andre Bissette Catholic High School), Lynn Pearson (Kidsport), and Kassandra Gartner (Fort Sask. Food Gatherer’s Society) gave reports on how donated funds were used within their respective organization.
Twice But Nice (TBN) held their Annual Meeting on March 16, at the DCC where they shared their 2021 Financials and Achievements, 2022 Goals, recognized retiring Directors, elected new Directors, and heard from their Grantees.
President, Judy Rehill explained “Because of the uncertainty of operations in 2020 due to Covid-19, which involved closing the store for several months, grants to the community were cancelled for the year. I am, however, very happy to say we were able to grant over $15,000 in 2021.”
Twice But Nice had several changes implemented in 2021 including; development and rollout of a new logo; building of a website www.twicebutnicefortsask.com; and developing a new brochure. Additional activities included: developing and implementing HR policies, employee contracts and an employee handbook ensuring compliance with AB Employment Standards; moving accounting over to Quickbooks, adding one casual employee to the staff, and taking part in the City’s Enchanted Forest with their very environmentally friendly decorated Christmas Tree.
Judy shared a sneak peek at 2022 stating, “Our Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal fundraiser last Saturday raised $2,073.10. We are hoping to hear from the City with regards to our grant application for Storefront improvements which includes a new sign at the front of the store and protection from the elements at the back of our store. Other goals for 2022 include Board Development Training and updating all things Health and Safety with technical help being donated to us from Pembina with their Safety Supervisor sharing his knowledge.”
Retiring Board members Bev Brechin and Ann Block were recognized for their many years of service. Combined they served for 32 years on the Twice But Nice Board. Bev will continue volunteering within the store.
The “Notice to Reader” prepared by HT & Associates indicated the society is in excellent financial health, with targeted investments for future needs, such as truck replacement, roof repairs, etc. Treasurer Gail Zabolotny stated, “The store had a good year in 2021, with sales over 33% higher than 2019, the last pre-Covid-19 year. It is within possibility that by 2025, the 40th anniversary of Twice But Nice, we may reach an overall grant distribution of one million dollars back to the community.”
Two new Directors-at-Large joined the TBN Board - Joan Prochnau and Barbara Bouwman.
Store Manager, Terri Ponich presented the Store Report – highlighting the 2021 achievement of store goals: increasing the customer base; improving customer service; tackling backlog of donations; reorganization of stock in the basement; and utilizing technology for accurate pricing, thrifting trends and training. Terri stated, “I want to highlight a couple metrics we track, our volunteer hours and downlining. Our total volunteer hours in 2021 were 3,186 which equates to 1.7 full time staff. Downlining items we are unable to sell in our store to other charities such as Canadian Diabetes totaled 31.4 tonnes – that is a lot of textiles kept out of the landfill”. Terri is retiring on March 19th to spend more time with family, camping and hiking.
The new Store Manager, Carmen Randell was welcomed to the organization.
“We are proud of our achievements in 2021 and goals for 2022 and we realize that we are only able to do these things because of the wonderful staff and volunteers that work for Twice But Nice. And of course, none of this is possible without the community’s continued generous donations and patronage of the store,” concluded Judy.
President, Judy Rehill explained “Because of the uncertainty of operations in 2020 due to Covid-19, which involved closing the store for several months, grants to the community were cancelled for the year. I am, however, very happy to say we were able to grant over $15,000 in 2021.”
Twice But Nice had several changes implemented in 2021 including; development and rollout of a new logo; building of a website www.twicebutnicefortsask.com; and developing a new brochure. Additional activities included: developing and implementing HR policies, employee contracts and an employee handbook ensuring compliance with AB Employment Standards; moving accounting over to Quickbooks, adding one casual employee to the staff, and taking part in the City’s Enchanted Forest with their very environmentally friendly decorated Christmas Tree.
Judy shared a sneak peek at 2022 stating, “Our Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal fundraiser last Saturday raised $2,073.10. We are hoping to hear from the City with regards to our grant application for Storefront improvements which includes a new sign at the front of the store and protection from the elements at the back of our store. Other goals for 2022 include Board Development Training and updating all things Health and Safety with technical help being donated to us from Pembina with their Safety Supervisor sharing his knowledge.”
Retiring Board members Bev Brechin and Ann Block were recognized for their many years of service. Combined they served for 32 years on the Twice But Nice Board. Bev will continue volunteering within the store.
The “Notice to Reader” prepared by HT & Associates indicated the society is in excellent financial health, with targeted investments for future needs, such as truck replacement, roof repairs, etc. Treasurer Gail Zabolotny stated, “The store had a good year in 2021, with sales over 33% higher than 2019, the last pre-Covid-19 year. It is within possibility that by 2025, the 40th anniversary of Twice But Nice, we may reach an overall grant distribution of one million dollars back to the community.”
Two new Directors-at-Large joined the TBN Board - Joan Prochnau and Barbara Bouwman.
Store Manager, Terri Ponich presented the Store Report – highlighting the 2021 achievement of store goals: increasing the customer base; improving customer service; tackling backlog of donations; reorganization of stock in the basement; and utilizing technology for accurate pricing, thrifting trends and training. Terri stated, “I want to highlight a couple metrics we track, our volunteer hours and downlining. Our total volunteer hours in 2021 were 3,186 which equates to 1.7 full time staff. Downlining items we are unable to sell in our store to other charities such as Canadian Diabetes totaled 31.4 tonnes – that is a lot of textiles kept out of the landfill”. Terri is retiring on March 19th to spend more time with family, camping and hiking.
The new Store Manager, Carmen Randell was welcomed to the organization.
“We are proud of our achievements in 2021 and goals for 2022 and we realize that we are only able to do these things because of the wonderful staff and volunteers that work for Twice But Nice. And of course, none of this is possible without the community’s continued generous donations and patronage of the store,” concluded Judy.