www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 19, 2016 | 22 Halton's community foundations team up for event by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver Halton's three community foundations are unified in their approaches to philanthropy and addressing key issues in the region. A new collaborative effort between the Oakville Community Foundation (OCF), Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) and Community Foundation of Halton North (CFHN) yielded its first joint event May 5 at Oakville's Harbour Banquet and Conference Centre. The public forum, New Changes in the World of Taxes, Estate Rules and Insurance, featured a panel presentation and Q-and-A with Tim Cestnick, tax expert and regular newspaper columnist; Bruce Etherington, Bruce Etherington & Associates insurance expert and OCF co-founder; and Larry Gangbar, legal expert and partner at O'Connor MacLeod Hanna LLP . Terry Jackson, past-chair of the Community Foundations of Canada and current OCF Investment Committee member, moderated the session. At a joint event held by all three of Halton's community foundations, pictured, from left, are: Bruce Etherington, of Bruce Etherington & Associates and Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) co-founder; Colleen Mulholland, Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) president and CEO; Larry Gangbar, partner at O'Connor MacLeod Hanna LLP; Wendy Rinella, OCF CEO; Sue Lawrenson, Community Foundation of Halton North (CFHN) executive director; and Tim Cestnick, tax expert and columnist.| photo by Nathan Howes special to the Beaver The coalition came about after the OCF developed a new three-year strategic plan, Building More Effective Philanthropy, which includes collaboration, OCF CEO Wendy Rinella said. She met with Colleen Mulholland, BCF president and CEO, and Sue Lawrenson, CFHN executive director, earlier this year to discuss a partnership. "We shared the idea that it would be great to have a joint event because we share a lot of the same issues. We need to promote philanthropy broadly and getting the word out across Halton is an important goal," said Rinella. The OCF's role is to support the community foundation movement, Rinella said, whether it's with new groups, such as CFHN or "really good neighbour" organizations like BCF . In conjunction with the Oakville group's Vital Signs Report, the Creating Vital Solutions initiative was created, with input from BCF and CFHN, she said, to help OCF develop affordable housing solutions. "I think you will see some more work on that by the community foundations going forward," said Rinella, noting the initiative and partnership is a "good launching point" for discussions on what issues will be addressed. Mulholland said there are numerous common needs in Halton, ranging from poverty, diversity and affordable housing to food security, transit and mental health. "As we forge forward here, we will decide if there's a project, or maybe through grantsee New on p.24 # DIAMOND DIAMOND 1 in Patios & Driveways! Halton Regional Police Services Board 2017-2019 Corporate Business Plan The Board and the Chief of Police are seeking input into the 20172019 Business Plan from a range of stakeholders and would like to extend an invitation to citizens and business owners to participate in a meeting in Oakville on May 25th. · stamped concrete · interlocking · exposed aggregate · flagstone J.M.C Concrete Interlocking LTD · french cUrbs · retaining walls · garage floors · free estimates like Us on Wednesday May 25th (7:00 9:00pm) Oakville Town Hall, Oakville/Trafalgar Room - 1225 Trafalgar Road People wishing to attend the public meetings are invited to RSVP Mr. Keith Moore, Senior Planner, at Keith.Moore@haltonpolice.ca 905-878-8595 Ask for John www.jmcconcrete.ca One Vision, One Mission, One Team Sienna Shoes & Apparel Queens Avenue Retirement Residence · Assisted Living · 24 Hr Medic Alert · Roomy Modern Suites · Recreation Activities · Utilities & Basic Cable Included · Full Kitchens in Suites · 2 Wholesome Meals + Snacks Oakville's best kept fashion secret...! With the purchase of any pair of shoes, receive a gift. 321 Cornwall Rd. Oakville (Wholefoods Plaza) · Ph: 905.842.5559 Mon-Wed, Sat 10-6, Thur-Fri 10-7, Sun 12-5 www.siennaboutique.ca Permanently "lock In"your rent plus receIve a $2,000 rebate....aSk uS HoW" Book a Tour... Enjoy Lunch on us! 1056 Queens Avenue, Oakville | 905.815.0862 www.queensavenueretirement.com | E:admin@queensavenueretirement.com