Press Release of the ARPA Canada board meeting – September 23, 2024
On Monday, September 23, 2024 the board of the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada met via Zoom for its quarterly meeting. All members of the board, including the Executive Director, were present.
Following the approval of the minutes of the April 22, 2024 meeting, the board spent some time reviewing a portion of the board handbook with the intention that this document remains living and active within the organization. The board also reviewed the 2024 strategic initiatives to ensure that these objectives are being pursued and will realistically be met this year.
The board received and reviewed the year-to-date financial reports. “We are thankful to the Lord for ARPA Canada’s generous financial supporters,” said George Gunnink, the board chair. “As we move into the fourth quarter, we pray that they will again include ARPA in their year-end giving and trust that God will continue to provide for our growing budget through their generosity.”
The Executive Director shared numerous updates with the board, including the possibility of securing office space in southern Ontario. “With two staff working in southern Ontario now and the potential to add more in that area, it would be beneficial to have a central office for them to work from,” said Gunnink. The board also made some progress in investigating whether to pursue charitable status. “We recognize that charitable status has its benefits, but also a number of potential negative implications. So, we remain cautious as we continue to explore the possibility of moving in this direction,” said Gunnink.
The board also approved adding an Integrator role to the organizational chart as well as a job description for this position. “We are excited about the efficiency that can be achieved by relieving our Executive Director of some of the day-to-day operational responsibilities so that he can focus on longer-term planning, growing the relationships we have with our stakeholders, and assisting in ARPA’s government relations on the various issues we advocate for within the halls of Parliament and Legislatures,” stated Gunnink.
The second terms of Aaron Oosterhoff and George Gunnink are set to expire at the end of this year. The board expressed appreciation for both members and was encouraged to hear that George is willing to remain on the ARPA board for a third term. The nomination committee will prepare suggestions for additional members in advance of the next board meeting.
The next board meeting will be, Lord willing, on December 9, 2024 (via Zoom). The meeting was closed in thanksgiving prayer for the LORD’s continued abundant blessing on ARPA Canada.
