Presentation to the Public Works Committee
by Janice Brown
April 5, 2004

Good Morning, I am delighted to be here. My name is Janice Brown, and I am the Current Chair of The Trillium Awards Program for the City Of Hamilton. I am negotiating on behalf of my fellow board members, over 350 fellow volunteer judges and each and every resident in the City of Hamilton who believes in our Mission statement: and that is "To Promote and encourage community pride through the recognition of excellence in landscape design, maintenance and effort to beautify the properties making a positive contribution to the City."

This program was established in 1956; in 2006 it will be celebrating its 50 th anniversary; (the last year of your office term); it could very well be the oldest program in Canada; and a national program called "Communities in Bloom" got its start with our very own "Made in Hamilton" former Beautification Program.

The Issue: In previous years this program was a unique collaboration of partners made up of City Staff, Corporate Sponsors and Volunteers. The Program has had an administrative assistant who was responsible for producing finished materials associated with delivering the program.this position no longer exists. The Program also had staff personnel whose responsibility was to secure our Corporate Sponsors who provided funding that along with a very small budget from Public Works covered expenditures for delivering this Program.this position no longer exists. And finally a Volunteer base that included the Executive and over 350 Volunteer Judges who deliver the Program..one that is so special in that every single property in the City of Hamilton is judged...We are still here!

We are still here but our role has changed..Willingly we agreed to assume responsibility for most of the administrative duties in order to see this Program carry on..Willingly as was our role and still continues to be our role to deliver this program so that our 350 volunteer judges are prepared to hit the streets in quest of the finest gardens in the city.and. not so willingly. we took on the responsibility of fund raising. Why...You ask. We are passionate. We are committed and we did not want to let the residents in the city of Hamilton down and herein lies the issue and we think we have a very reasonable solution.

This is a city initiative. You can solve this issue quite easily. We want a staff member to once again assume responsibility for funding through securing sponsors and in the event of a shortfall, additional money is made available through the budget in order that this program continues..The Executive will do their part and continue to be responsible for administrative duties as well as deliver the Program.350 Volunteer Judges will be out in full force at the Judges Workshop to prepare for their judging assignments beginning at the end of June and climaxing with the Trillium Awards Presentation held in Council Chambers at the end of October.

How Much Money Are We Talking? Approximately $14,000 to $15.000 for program expenditures .this does not include printing, paper, envelopes, postage, etc., As an aside, I might add that up until March 15 th we were to be responsible for those expenses as well.these expenses will now be provided as in-kind services to the Program, nor does it include any seed funds for a very special 50 th Anniversary currently being planned by a small committee who are also seeking funds.

Become a part of our negotiating team and convince your fellow councilors to do the right thing. Let us not lose a program that has so much history, provides so much beauty and joy not only to the award winners but to all residents that continue to beautify their properties and thus make a positive contribution to this City of Hamilton for the enjoyment of all. Lets make the 50 th happen. Come... celebrate with us during the 50 th . You can make it happen.

On a business note, we have a business plan outlining in detail the Trillium Awards Program.It is a working document, one that is evolving but one that I would share with any of you should you doubt the scope of this program.

Thank You,

Janice Brown, Chair, Trillium Awards Program.