Voices of Burnaby Seniors: Door 2 Door Bus Business Plan
Transcription
Voices of Burnaby Seniors: Door 2 Door Bus Business Plan
Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan August 9, 2010 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan REPORT Prepared for: Voices of Burnaby Seniors (VOBS) c/o Burnaby Community Connections 204 - 2101 Holdom Avenue Burnaby, BC V5B 0A4 Prepared by: Megan Fitzgerald Transportation Planning & Research Consultant fitzgerald.megan@gmail.com For further information about this report, please contact Mariam Larson, VOBS Coordinator, at 606-515-1718. Copies of this report may be downloaded from www.burnabycommunityconnections.com © August 2010 1 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 2 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 3 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Contents Acknowledgments VOBS Transportation Working Group Members 1.0 Executive Summary 1.1 Demographic Context 1.2 Transportation Challenges Facing Burnaby Seniors 1.3 Burnaby “Door 2 Door Bus”—A Solution? 1.4 Benefits of Partnering with the Burnaby D2D Bus 2.0 Organizational Plan 2.1 Mission 2.2 Goals 2.3 Description of Program Services 2.4 Current Resources—Our Partners 2.5 “SWOT” Analysis 3.0 Administrative Plan 3.1 Management 3.2 Staffing 3.3 Vehicle and Insurance 4.0 Budget Information 5.0 Marketing Plan 5.1 Market Analysis 5.2 Potential Funding Sources 5.3 Outreach and Community Relations 5.4 Next Steps APPENDIX A Relevant Grants APPENDIX B Potential Partners with Vehicles APPENDIX C Burnaby Community Connection’s 2009 Financial Statements APPENDIX D Prospective Door-2-Door Bus Routes Composite of Draft Door-2-Door Bus Routes Draft Southwest Route Draft Southern + New Westminster Route Draft Northern Route 5 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 10 10 11 13 15 16 16 17 19 21 23 23 36 43 46 47 47 49 49 51 51 61 61 62 63 64 65 4 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Acknowledgments The author of this report wishes to thank the Voices of Burnaby Seniors (VOBS) Transportation Working Group for volunteering their time and valuable perspectives on Burnaby seniors‘ transportation needs. VOBS Transportation Working Group Members Gloria Kravac, and Wendell Ratcliffe ( Co-Chairs). Angelina Agosti, Anne Waller. Carole Kaye, Estela Asahina, Jane Lee, Marie Prantner, Margie Manifold, Patricia Cardarelli (L: Carole, Gloria, Jane, Patricia, Marie. R: Angelina, Estela, Anne, Gloria, Wendell, Jane. N/A: Margie.) The Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Feasibility Study / Business Plan was made possible through a grant from the United Way of the Lower Mainland. Voices of Burnaby Seniors is grateful for the support of the City of Burnaby throughout the project, and for ongoing support from Burnaby Community Connections. The Working Group would also like to thank Mariam Larson, VOBS Coordinator, for overseeing the production of this report. 5 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 1.0 Executive Summary 1.1 Demographic Context In the Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area, the population of seniors aged 65 and over is expected to double—from 12.8% in 2006 to 25% by 2040, according to TransLink estimates.1 The City of Burnaby has a slightly higher percentage of seniors aged 65 and over compared to the region as a whole. In 2006, more than one out of eight (13.8%) Burnaby residents were over the age of 65. Younger seniors aged 65 to 79 accounted for 21% of the Burnaby population while older seniors aged 80 and over represented 3.9% of the city’s total population.2 Being able to get around often becomes an issue as people age, especially when it’s time to “hang up the keys.” According to a report published by Statistics Canada, groups that are more likely to face transportation challenges include: • • • • • • Seniors aged 85+ (“old old”) Seniors who lack access to a vehicle (as a driver or passenger) Seniors who have difficulty accessing public transit Seniors with lower household incomes (less than $20,000 per year) Seniors living in rural areas Women aged 65+ For example, among 75- to 84-year-olds, the study found that 83% of men had vehicle access as a driver compared to only 45% of women. Among those 85 and older, the proportion of men able to drive a household vehicle was twice as high, at 66% versus 33% of women. In short, men are much more likely to have access to a household vehicle than their female counterparts. 1 TransLink. (2007) Transport 2040 Backgrounder. Retrieved from: <http://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/pubdocs/bcdocs/435019/backgrounder.pdf>. 2 City of Burnaby. (2007). Social and Demographic Trends in Burnaby and Neighbouring Communities, 1986 to 2006. Retrieved from: <www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/__shared/assets/Social_and_Demographic_trends_in_Burnaby5921.pdf>. 6 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Not surprisingly, seniors aged 85 and over were much more likely to be limited in their ability to “get around town” than 65- to 74-year-olds.3 1.2 Transportation Challenges Facing Burnaby Seniors A 2007 survey by the Voices of Burnaby Seniors (VOBS) found that a significant number of seniors living in Burnaby had difficulty getting around. The survey of approximately 640 Burnaby residents found that: • • • • • • • 39% of respondents said they had difficulty getting to where they need to go when they wanted to go (difficulty ranged from “occasional difficulty” to “difficulty very often”) 25% of respondents did not have a driver in the household One-third of respondents walked or used public transit to get to their destinations 52% of respondents wanted a door-to-door transit service for seniors 53% of respondents who use public transit wanted more frequent bus service 41% of respondents who use public transit had safety concerns 27% of respondents who use public transit had challenges with physical barriers Respondents were also asked what improvements in transportation would help seniors in Burnaby get around. A door-to-door transportation service for seniors was the most common response (52%).4 Unfortunately, the demand for local supplemental transportation options currently exceeds capacity. Burnaby Community Connections is unable to meet demand for medical transportation services, while Citizen Support Services frequently gets requests from seniors and Fraser Health Authority for volunteer drivers to take people to medical appointments, seniors’ residences and other destinations, which is beyond their scope of services. It is also worth noting that an unknown number of seniors utilize private transportation services; however, such services are cost-prohibitive for the vast majority of seniors. 3 Turcotte, M. (2008). Seniors’ Access to Transportation. Retrieved from Statistics Canada: <www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/11-008-x2006005-eng.htm>. 4 Voices of Burnaby Seniors. (December 2007). Voices of Burnaby Seniors, A Survey of Burnaby Citizens 55 Years and Older. Retrieved from: <www.burnaby.ca/__shared/assets/Social_Planning_-_Voices_of_Burnaby_Seniors4530.pdf>. 7 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 1.3 Burnaby “Door 2 Door Bus”—A Solution? The Burnaby D2D Bus is envisioned as a not-for-profit community shuttle service for seniors aged 65 and over—especially for those who currently have limited transportation options and/or have difficulty accessing important services. D2D Bus will provide door-todoor transportation from seniors’ homes to grocery stores, drugstores, seniors and community centres, medical offices and other service locations. Arm-to-arm support and assistance with walkers or heavy parcels are some of the key features of the proposed service, along with the opportunity to socialize among peers. Thus, while D2D Bus will meet a practical need for affordable, senior-friendly transportation, it also will address the unique social needs of frail, elderly seniors. The program will be administered by Burnaby Community Connections with implementation planned for early-2011. D2D Bus partner agencies will likely include: • • • • • City of Burnaby Local businesses Local seniors centres Local residential care facilities Regional / local charitable organizations The “average” seniors’ transportation service has an annual budget of about $50,000, according to the Beverley Foundation.5 We anticipate that yearly expenses will be in the range of $44,000 to $50,000. The majority of these will go towards operational expenses like driver’s wages, fuel, insurance, etc. Prospective sources of funding include: businesses, community groups and individuals, grants from local, provincial and/or federal government agencies, and donations from charitable foundations, as well as passenger donations 5 Burkhardt and Kerschner, H. (2005). How to Establish and Maintain Door-Through-Door Transportation Services for Seniors. Retrieved from: <www.stpexchange.org/HowToGuide_DoorThroughDoorTransportation.pdf>. 8 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 1.4 Benefits of Partnering with the Burnaby D2D Bus Benefits to corporate and foundation funders • • • • • • Increase recognition as a progressive, age-friendly organization Strengthen relationships with fast-growing population of older adults Support personnel who provide care for aging family members Receive long-term community visibility at a modest cost Increase sales by making it easier for older adults to shop in their community, or by increased brand recognition Showcase related transportation technology or products Benefits to community partners • • • • • Increase engagement, independence and well-being of older adults by reducing transportation barriers to participation and social connection Increase program variety and enrollment by expanding service area Coordinate programs with other organizations for greater stability Support older adults wanting to attend weekend events Increase older adults participation in community/civic processes Benefits to volunteers (by promoting or supporting the BCB) • • Increased well-being through community action Expanded social connection 9 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 2.0 Organizational Plan In 2007, Voices of Burnaby Seniors (VOBS) surveyed more than 600 residents over the age of 55 on a variety of community planning issues including transportation. The final report found that: • • • Most respondents (61%) said they had no difficulty getting to where they need to go when they wanted to go. 33% said they occasionally had difficulty. 6% said they had difficulty fairly often or very often—especially older respondents, aged 80 and over. Respondents were also asked what improvements in transportation would help seniors in Burnaby get around. A door-to-door transportation service for seniors was the most common response (52%).6 The Burnaby Door2Door (D2D) Bus will be a supplemental transportation program for seniors living in Burnaby (i.e. complimenting existing transportation options), which will be administered by Burnaby Community Connections. Implementation is planned for early 2011. The following section provides a description of the program. 2.1 Mission To offer affordable, accessible and flexible community-based supportive transportation to enhance seniors’ well-being and independence. 2.2 Goals • 6 6 Enhance seniors’ ability to live independently and age in place. Voices of Burnaby Seniors. (December 2007). Voices of Burnaby Seniors, A Survey of Burnaby Citizens 55 Years and Older. Retrieved from: <http://www.burnaby.ca/__shared/assets/Social_Planning_-_Voices_of_Burnaby_Seniors4530.pdf>. 10 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 • • Connect seniors to services and programs in their community. Develop a financially sustainable service model by partnering with community organizations and businesses. 2.3 Description of Program Services While new to Burnaby, there are hundreds of seniors transportation programs across North America. There are working programs run by BC Transit in Mission, Comox and Hazelton. There are also pilot programs in the TransLink service area (North Vancouver and West Vancouver), although these are operated by not-for-profit service providers. Sometimes referred to as supplemental transportation programs, they compliment traditional transportation options in at least three important ways: • • • They cater to the needs of the “older old.” They provide additional support (e.g., arm-to-arm, door-to-door assistance). They enable seniors to make both quantity and quality of life trips. When older seniors have to depend on family, friends or other transportation options, they often find that such options only provide access to services and support, but not to the fun things in life. Both are important to the health and well being of seniors, and to the inclusivity and livability of their communities. The Burnaby D2D Bus is envisioned as a not-for-profit community shuttle service for seniors aged 65 and over—especially for those who currently have limited transportation options and/or have difficulty accessing important services. D2D Bus will provide arm-toarm, door-to-door transportation from seniors’ homes to grocery stores, drugstores, seniors and community centres, medical offices and other service locations. (See Figure 1 for a list of popular destinations). Support and assistance with walkers or heavy parcels will be some of the key features of the proposed service, along with the opportunity to socialize among peers. Thus, while D2D Bus will serve a practical need for affordable, senior-friendly transportation, it will also address the unique social needs of frail, elderly seniors. 11 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Figure 1. Popular destinations — VOBS survey7 Number of Respondents - Medical/dental - Library - Drugstore - Grocery store - Seniors centre - Bank - Place of worship 636 590 634 636 572 635 528 - Only in Burnaby #-% 293 46 415 70 432 68 362 57 369 65 428 67 215 41 - Mostly in Burnaby #%225 35 126 21 170 27 246 39 104 18 160 25 79 15 - Elsewhere Never Go #-115 12 29 25 12 44 76 - #337 3387 3158 - %18 2542714 - %0.5 60.5 0.5 15 0.5 30 - While a route-based service provides operating efficiencies, flexibility is required to support seniors’ use of the service—a lesson learned from the North Shore Seniors Go Bus. The proposed shuttle will follow a flexible route, deviating from major roads to make individual door-to-door pick-ups and drop-offs within the general operating area. Riders will be asked to call at least a day in advance to request a ride. Ongoing bookings for repeat trips can also be arranged. Due to provincial regulations, Burnaby Community Connections is prohibited from charging fees for transportation services. There won’t be any cost or charge to ride but donations, small and large, will be gratefully accepted. From the client’s perspective, the Burnaby D2D Bus will provide: • • • 7 Transportation in a consistent and coordinated way. Riders know exactly what to expect, which eliminates many of the worries associated with travelling. Friendly, personalized service including assistance with parcels and “arm-to-arm” support from home to destination and back. An opportunity to socialize with peers and to venture out of home. Ibid. 12 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Figure 2. “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) Who will be eligible for rides? • There will not be specific eligibility requirements (i.e., no income or needs screening). While the service is designed with older seniors in mind, adults with disabilities will also be welcome. • Clients with dementia will be welcome to ride the D2D Bus with a companion. What types of rides will be provided? • D2D is open to all types of rides / trip purposes (shopping, social, recreational, medical, etc.). Where will transportation go? • The service will focus on areas with higher concentrations of seniors (e.g., parts of the northwest and southwest quadrants). • It is anticipated that malls and grocery stores will be key destinations. When will service be provided? • Daytime (e.g. 9 am to 3 pm), beginning with as many service days as possible given resources. • Service planning will consider seniors’ shopping discount days and timing of community programs. • Service will also include weekends if possible. How much will rides cost? • Suggested donation of $2.00 and up per day. What kinds of vehicles will be used? • VOBS is exploring vehicle-sharing opportunities; the type of vehicles (and service days) will depend on availability of currently underutilized vehicles within the community. How will the program be funded? • Through a combination of corporate sponsorship, in-kind support and grants. Where can I get more information? • Contact Mariam Larson, VOBS Coordinator, 604-515-1718. 2.4 Current Resources—Our Partners Voices of Burnaby Seniors is a community-based Task Force comprised of Burnaby seniors and representatives from agencies serving Burnaby seniors. Our goal is to make 13 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 efforts to support all Burnaby seniors in being healthy, independent and connected members of our community. More specifically, VOBS wants to help all Burnaby seniors have access to: • • • • • Affordable and accessible transportation Good housing Social and recreational programs Information and programs and services available for seniors Community support and health services. In 2007, with funding from the Federal New Horizons for Seniors Program, VOBS conducted a comprehensive needs survey. 659 Burnaby seniors completed the survey, which asked about needs preferences regarding housing, transportation, support services and social connections. The results of the survey were collected, and a report was published in December 2007. Burnaby Community Connections, the organization responsible for administering the program, is a non-profit society committed to connecting people, services and community since 1971. Originally founded as an information and referral service, the agency has grown considerably over the years and developed new programs in response to emerging local needs, including seniors transportation. It is anticipated that D2D Bus partner agencies will include: • • • • • City of Burnaby Local businesses Local seniors centres Local residential care facilities Regional / local charitable organizations The City of Burnaby, for example, has been involved throughout the shuttle planning process. In addition, Burnaby has an excellent network of senior-serving agencies including a number of community / seniors centres and various support services. 14 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 2.5 “SWOT” Analysis Short for “Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats,” a SWOT analysis is a type of study undertaken by an organization to identify its internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as its external opportunities and threats. However, weaknesses can also be viewed as opportunities (e.g., lack of funding versus opportunity for strengthened partnerships and innovative funding models). Strengths • • • • Demand for shuttle services demonstrated by the VOBS survey, and supported by demographic data. Similar programs exist locally; Burnaby can learn from their experiences. Organizational support from the City of Burnaby’s Social Planning Department (expertise and local knowledge). Funding for a part-time VOBS coordinator and feasibility study provided by Lower Mainland United Way. Weaknesses • • • Issues surrounding long-term sustainability of funding. Restrictions on charging a fee for services due to provincial regulations. Funding (or lack thereof) will define / limit the geographic scope and hours of service. Opportunities • • • Shuttle planning serves as an opportunity to engage a broad range of local stakeholders in a discussion on age-friendly communities. Promotional opportunities for businesses (sponsorship and advertising). Increased collaboration among agencies. Threats • • Liability issues, which will be addressed through adequate insurance. Bus availability. 15 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 3.0 Administrative Plan Beyond brainstorming, program planning involves taking care of administrative details. The purpose of this section is to show how the program will be developed administratively from management to vehicle and insurance. 3.1 Management ! D2D Bus will operate as a program administered by Burnaby Community Connections. Established in 1971, the organization has a long history of “connecting people, services and community” by… • • • Helping people access community resources and services. Creating opportunities for individuals, businesses, unions, organizations and government to directly help those in need and build a stronger community. Facilitating collaborative projects and community-based solutions to address complex social issues. Stephen D’Souza is the current Executive Director. It is also worth noting that the organization has charitable status and is therefore eligible for grants. (Burnaby Community Connections is able to issue tax receipts, which is desired by most donors). Burnaby Community Connections already offers a Seniors’ Transportation Program that connects seniors with volunteer drivers, helping those who are unable to, have difficulty with, or cannot afford to take public or other means of transportation. It is anticipated that D2D Bus will “eclipse” the existing Seniors’ Transportation Program, which currently only provides service to medical-related appointments. The expansion of trip types—from medical-related to all purposes, including social and recreational trips—will have a greater impact on seniors’ mobility and well-being in the City of Burnaby, compared to the existing program. Further, the D2D Bus will: • • Provide a more reliable alternative compared to relying on volunteer drivers Serve seniors with disabilities, assuming the program is able to secure a wheelchairaccessible bus (the current program uses non-accessible passenger vehicles). 16 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Burnaby Community Connection’s role is to administer the program; however, given current budget limitations, the organization is unable to financially support the program. At a recent meeting (January 2010), Mr. D’Souza noted that additional funding—whether through grants or corporate sponsorship—will be required to implement and operate the program successfully. Program partners, including VOBS and/or the City of Burnaby’s social planning division may be able to assist with certain aspects of shuttle operations, for example, by organizing grant applications, referring volunteers or helping interview potential drivers. While operated by Burnaby Community Connections, the program will rely on the ongoing support of its partners. 3.2 Staffing There are two essential roles for service delivery: A scheduler and driver. Scheduling can be done by a staff person at the host agency or be included in the driver’s responsibilities. The structure for this particular program will be determined based on available resources. According to a US-based CTAA/Beverly Foundation report titled Transportation Innovations for Seniors: a Report from Rural America (2006), experts described drivers as… “…the heart and soul of any transportation service…” “…in it because they care about passengers…” “…accounting for the personalized nature of transportation services in rural areas because they know the names of all the passengers, their children, and their grand-children…” Drivers serve a variety of roles above and beyond driving. According to a recent survey of community transportation services by the Beverly Foundation (2009), the top reasons for providing assistance to seniors were: • • • • Passengers need help getting in and out of vehicle (77 %) Passengers are in danger of falling (49 %) Passengers are unable to get to the vehicle, and passengers need help carrying heavy loads (41 %) Passengers need help at the destination (29 %) 17 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 In addition, drivers often serve as a “conduit” for information. For example, the driver may share information about other seniors’ programs, or may bring their concerns about passengers to administrative staff to arrange for additional assistance. As one Beverley Foundation survey respondent put it, “the entire staff here understands that their job does not begin and end with the pick-up and drop-off of a client. It goes far beyond that, providing comfort, support, and peace of mind to people who need it the most.” Drivers can be paid, volunteer, or a mix of the two. Alternatively, some organizations such as ITN America reimburse their volunteer drivers for mileage. Whether drivers are paid and how much depends on the organization’s budget—though decent wages and benefits certainly help to attract and retain good drivers. Volunteer recognition awards, dinners, prizes, and recognition in the media are also great ways of saying “thank you” for the time and effort donated. Of those who paid their drivers, the majority of agencies surveyed by the Beverly Foundation indicated that wages were between $10 and $14 per hour; only 22 % of the respondents indicated the hourly salary of their drivers averaged less than $9, while 14 % said they averaged more than $14. Eighty-two percent of respondents indicated that they also paid benefits to their drivers. Driver salaries / wages were generally commensurate with regional standards—so they would likely be slightly higher than average to reflect the higher cost of living in Metro Vancouver. Figure 3 describes and gives examples of other common driver characteristics, which captures the type of person that we are looking to hire. 18 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Figure 3. Driver Characteristics They Like People “All of our drivers are working here because they like people (specifically the senior population). They are retired workers or of retirement age and are truly socially conscious and very concerned about their passengers.” They Treat Them Like Family “Most of our drivers see the passengers several times a week, so they become part of their family.” “A driver of a senior route brings the ladies flowers on holidays such as Mothers' Day and Easter. He also carries their pocket books and unlocks their doors.” “Drivers take a personal interest in the passengers. When passengers are hospitalized or die, drivers visit on their own time.” They Are Appreciated “I have had several comments from different senior passengers…they wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for our transit system.” They Treat Them Like Mom “In this organization we have an informal metric and an ingrained culture. It is the ‘mom’ test. We endeavor to treat each and every passenger (especially the older ones) the way we would demand that our mothers be treated. This is an easily understood standard that most drivers will self-enforce.” 3.3 Vehicle and Insurance The term “supplemental transportation program” describes a broad range of transportation services ranging from relatively informal volunteer driver programs to elaborate, government-sponsored shuttle systems, and everything in between. According to a recent Beverly Foundation survey (2008), American STPs use a mix of vehicle types including vans (64%), automobiles (45%), buses (40%), taxis (15%) and other (15%). Government-sponsored programs were more likely to own their vehicles, whereas a majority of non-profit organization indicated that they do not own vehicles (Ibid). However, such organizations may have vehicle-sharing arrangements with other community service agencies and seniors’ organizations. For example, the North Shore Seniors’ Go Bus is borrowed from Vancouver Coastal Health’s Evergreen House care facility. Vehicle maintenance and insurance are provided and paid for by Vancouver Coastal Health. 19 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 In terms of vehicle types, a lift-equipped minibus would be best suited to the program, though VOBS / Burnaby Community Connections are willing to consider a range of vehicles. A list of potential vehicles are attached as Appendix B. Typically, if the vehicle is owned by the program, the program carries the primary insurance on the vehicle and the activities related to providing door-through-door transportation. In addition to vehicle insurance, an organization may want to consider options such as commercial or non-profit liability insurance and workers’ compensation.8 The amount of insurance, if required, will be determined by a risk management professional based on the loaner vehicle’s existing insurance policy among other factors. Insurance requirements will be reflected in a comprehensive legal agreements between the Burnaby Community Connection and the Lender to ensure that all parties are sufficiently protected. The contract will also describe any cost-sharing agreement for maintenance, insurance and other vehicle related expenses, if applicable. Figure 4. North Shore Seniors Go Bus Exterior and Interior 8 Burkhardt and Kerschner, H. (2005). How to Establish and Maintain Door-Through-Door Transportation Services for Seniors. Retrieved from: <www.stpexchange.org/HowToGuide_DoorThroughDoorTransportation.pdf>. 20 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 4.0 Budget Information Figure 5 outlines anticipated expenses. Key points include the following: • • • • Administrative costs (“administration of the service”) will amount to less than or equal to 7% of the total budget: $3,120 per year. The driver’s wages account for approximately 70% of the costs, reflecting the significant role of the driver in service quality and success. In-kind contributions from partners—especially the use of a vehicle—will help to keep costs low. The City of Burnaby could potentially help with some of the marketing costs (e.g., assistance with route planning, in-house photocopying, advertising in the Burnaby Senior Citizens’ Telephone Book, etc). Total operational funds required: approximately $48,000 to $50,000 per year, based on the following assumptions. See Appendix C for Burnaby Community Connection’s 2008 Financial Statements. 21 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Figure 5. Anticipated annual operating costs Expense Item Cost per Year Driver’s wages Fuel Assumptions / Notes $30,000 - Three 8-hour days per week, assuming 52 weeks per year. ($24 per hour, including cash in lieu of benefits). $7,800 - $50 per day, three days per week. Dedicated cell phone $720 - $60 per month. Magnetic bus signage $500 - Subsequent years might cost between $200-$600 depending on wear-and-tear. Marketing --(brochures, copying and advertising) $1,000 - A higher marketing budget ($2,000-$4,000) and/or in-kind contributions would increase our ability to promote the program, e.g., though newspaper ads. Use of vehicle In-kind - We hope to secure a free bus-sharing agreement (little to no cost) to keep costs down. While buying a vehicle is cost-prohibitive, a small contribution may be possible. Vehicle maintenance $875 - 200 km per day, three days a week at $0.028 per km—based on CAA’s Driving Costs, 2009 Edition, which assumes 18,000 km are driven per year. Vehicle insurance $3,900 $25 per day, three days per week. Administration of service $3,120 - 2 hours per week at $30 per hour (to respond to questions about the service, take care of accounting, etc.; does not include time spent arranging trip, which will fall under the driver’s responsibilities). TOTAL $47,915- Plus legal fees for contract at start-up. 22 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 5.0 Marketing Plan Serving as the foundation of any well-written business plan, a marketing plan is simply a written document that outlines the steps that an organization will take to achieve its objectives—in this case, to implement a seniors’ door-to-door shuttle service for seniors living in Burnaby. The D2D Bus model is based on a multi-stakeholder partnership that has provided transportation on the North Shore since 2005, following the donation of a bus and a receipt of a small grant. Three years later, in 2008, 6,388 one-way trips were made with the North Shore Go Bus (44.7 riders per day), confirming the model’s success. Like the North Shore Seniors Go Bus, the D2D Bus would stop at a number of locations including drugstores, grocery stores, medical centres, senior centres, seniors’ housing sites, community centres and other important services. The following section addresses the components of a marketing strategy by: • • • • Identifying existing transportation services and gaps (what, where, when) Defining potential users (who, why) Outlining public and private funding opportunities (how) Identifying outreach strategies (how) The Marketing Plan concludes with a checklist of actions (our “to-do list”). 5.1 Market Analysis The following provides a “snapshot” of the physical and social geography of Burnaby. Drawing on a variety of sources, our market analysis illustrates the needs for a supplemental transportation program among certain populations of seniors. The D2D Bus is specifically designed for transportation-disadvantaged seniors who cannot drive or take transit due to financial, physical or cognitive difficulties. Research shows that women and lower-income seniors are particularly vulnerable. 23 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Land Use Located immediately east of Vancouver, the City of Burnaby is the third largest city in British Columbia with a population of approximately 203,000 people.9 The City is divided into four quadrants, each having its own Town Centre. These four town centres are Brentwood, Lougheed, Edmonds and Metrotown, as shown in Figure 6. Figure 6. Burnaby’s four quadrants 10 While each Town Centre has a unique character, all are targeted to provide a concentration of jobs and housing, a variety of shops, services and community facilities. However, as the distance from each town centre increases, there is generally a progressive decrease in residential and commercial density. This is particularly an issue because amenities such as grocery shopping and medical centres are less likely to be within walking distance. Walkscore.com, for example, gives Patterson Avenue at Rumble Street (in the southwest quadrant) 31 out of 100, describing the intersection as being car dependent: “Only a few Statistics Canada. (2006). 2006 Community Profile—Burnaby, BC. Retrieved from Community Profile database: <http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/index-eng.cfm>. 9 10 Ibid. 24 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.”11 This is true of many residential pockets throughout Burnaby. The predominant land use within the residential category is one- or two-family homes (see Figure 7). As noted in Burnaby’s Official Community Plan, A major influence on the Region over the next 30 years will be the aging of the large “baby boom” generation. This middle-aged group has the highest preference for ground-oriented housing (single-family, townhouse and duplex dwellings) and automobile use… 12 following current trends in land use and transportation as seen in Burnaby today. Demographics In the Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area, the population of seniors aged 65 and over is expected to double—from 12.8% in 2006 to 25% by 2040, according to TransLink estimates.13 Metro Vancouver predicts that as early as 2031, a quarter of the population could be over the age of 65 based on current demographic trends. Already some areas have a higher concentration of seniors than others, including White Rock (28 percent) and West Vancouver (23 percent).14 The City of Burnaby has a slightly higher percentage of seniors aged 65 and over compared to the region as a whole, as shown in Figure 8. In 2006, more than one out of eight (13.8%) of Burnaby residents were over the age of 65. Younger seniors aged 65 to 79 accounted for 21% of the Burnaby population while older seniors aged 80 and over represented 3.9% of the city’s total population in 2006.15 11 Walk Score calculates the “walkability” of an address based on its distance to nearby amenities. A score of 0 means driving only whereas 90 and above indicates that most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car. Walk Score. 2010. Retrieved from: <www.walkscore.com>. 12 City of Burnaby. (2007). Official Community Plan. Retrieved from: <www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/cityhall/departments/departments_planning/plnnng_plans/plnnng_plans_offclc.html>. 13 TransLink. (2007). Transport 2040 Backgrounder. Retrieved from the BC Legislative Library: <www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/pubdocs/bcdocs/435019/backgrounder.pdf>. 14 Metro Vancouver. (2006). 2006 Census Bulletin #3—Population by Age. Retrieved from: <www.metrovancouver.org/about/publications/Publications/Census2006_PopbyAge_Bulletin_3.pdf>. 15 City of Burnaby. (2007). Social and Demographic Trends in Burnaby and Neighbouring Communities, 1986 to 2006. Retrieved from: <www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/__shared/assets/Social_and_Demographic_trends_in_Burnaby5921.pdf>. 25 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Figure 7. Existing generalized land use map16 16 Ibid. 26 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Figure 8. Age proportions—Burnaby and neighbouring communities, 2006 17 Age Group 0-4 Burnaby New Westminster 4.7% 4.9% - North Richmond Shore 4.5% 4.5% - Surrey Tri-Cities 6.2% - 5.2% - Vancouver Metro Vancouver 4.3% 9.0% - 5-19 16.3% - 14.3% - 18.9% - 17.9% - 21.1% - 20.8% - 13.6% - 17.8% - 20-44 38.8% - 39.2% - 30.5% - 35.1% - 35.3% - 36.1% - 43.2% - 37.1% - 45-64 26.3% - 28.0% - 30.3% - 29.8% - 26.0% - 28.0% - 25.8% - 27.2% - 65-79 9.9% - 9.2% - 11.1% - 9.4% - 8.5% - 7.5% - 9.4% - 9.2% - 80+ 3.9% - 4.4% - 4.8% - 3.4% - 3.0% - 2.3% - 3.8% - 3.6% - 100% - 100% - 100% - 100% - 100% - 100% - 100% - 100% - Of all four quadrants, the southwest quadrant had the most seniors in 2006 (10,170 people over 65). For example six out of ten Planning Study Areas (PSAs) in the southwest quadrant had more than a 1,000 seniors, including Clinton-Glenwood, Maywood, Garden Village, Cascade-Schou, Douglas-Gilpin and Marlborough. Maywood, in particular, had more seniors in all three categories (65 and over, 80 and over, 85 and over) with 2,340 seniors in total—half of whom were at least 80 years old. The northwest quadrant had the second highest number of elderly residents (6,255 people over 65). Burnaby Heights, Willingdon Heights and Brentwood each had more than a thousand seniors. While there were almost as many seniors in the southeast quadrant (5,650 people over 65), Richmond Park was the only PSA with more than a thousand seniors. In comparison, the northeast sector had the least seniors of all four quadrants (4,335 people over 65). However, seniors were more likely to live in one of three PSAs—SperlingBroadway, Lochdale or Cameron—which each had more than a thousand seniors. Of the four Town Centres, Loughheed (Lakecity) and Edmonds (Stride Avenue) had significantly fewer seniors compared to Brentwood and Metrotown (Maywood) and (290, 570, 1,135 and 2,340 seniors, respectively), corresponding with the geographic distribution of seniors by quadrant. The UniverCity community on Burnaby Mountain and Big Bend area to the south both had less than 100 seniors. (Both PSAs have large protected natural areas in addition to other non-residential land uses.) 17 Ibid. 27 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Figure 9. Population of seniors by Planning Study Area (PSA), 2006 Planning Study Area Citywide Quadrant 65 and over 26,550 80 and over 6,830 85 and over 2,980 1 Burnaby Heights NW 1,115 395 215 2 Willingdon Heights NW 1,590 495 215 3 West Central Valley NW 145 10 0 5 Brentwood NW 1,135 300 70 6 Capitol Hill NW 790 200 55 7 Parkcrest - Aubrey NW 905 210 55 10 Government Road NE 575 125 90 11 12 Sperling - Broadway Lochdale NE NE 1,125 1,095 230 235 105 130 13 Westridge NE 205 55 40 14 Burnaby Mountain NE 10 0 0 15 Lake City NE 290 45 10 16 Lyndhurst NE 385 80 50 17 Cameron NE 1,225 320 130 18 19 Cariboo - Armstrong Second Street SE SE 590 525 105 45 45 115 20 Edmonds SE 570 80 45 21 Stride Avenue SE 960 280 195 22 Stride Hill SE 460 50 10 23 Big Bend SW 90 10 0 24 Clinton - Glenwood SW 630 165 50 25 Sussex - Nelson SW 1,225 365 190 26 Suncrest SW 200 45 25 27 Maywood SW 2,340 790 325 28 Garden Village SW 1,320 415 155 29 Cascade - Schou SW 1,085 285 150 30 Douglas - Gilpin SW 1,050 205 75 31 Marlborough SW 1,460 420 180 32 33 Windsor Kingsway - Beresford SW SE 560 600 100 130 35 40 34 Richmond Park SE 1,020 295 145 35 36 Morley - Buckingham Lakeview - Mayfield SE SE 450 475 70 85 25 30 37 Oakalla SW 210 50 10 28 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 29 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Existing Transportation Services Compared to many other communities in North America, Burnaby is relatively fortunate to have a broad range of existing transportation services and programs. These include: Conventional Transit: TransLink provides over twenty bus routes that run throughout Burnaby, including the 97 B-Line, seventeen conventional bus routes (100, 101, 106, 110, 112, 116, 123, 125, 129, 130, 134, 135, 136, 143, 144, 145, 430) and six community shuttle routes (C1, C2, C5, C6, C7, C25). Bus frequency varies from every four to five minutes for the 135 (Burrard Station/SFU, peak hour) to every thirty minutes (most routes, midday). Cost: $1.75 to $3.50 for customers who are 65 and over depending on distance, or $45 yearly with a BC Bus Pass for low-income seniors (all zones). HandyDART: TransLink also provides an accessible transit service for people with disabilities using smaller buses. HandyDART offers two types of service: Subscription trips that are taken regularly or weekly and casual trips taken on a one-time basis. To apply, prospective users must have a doctor complete an application form verifying the type and nature of the applicant’s disability. Cost: Between $2.50 and $5.00 depending on distance. Taxi Savers Program: Similar to HandyDART, TransLink’s Taxi Savers program is for residents of the Metro Vancouver region who have a HandyCard (a photo identity card issued by TransLink). To be eligible for HandyCard a person must have a physical or cognitive disability that prevents the use of conventional transit without assistance. Customers may call the participating taxi company of their choice and book service directly. Cost: Taxi Saver coupons with a total face value of $50 are sold to a HandyCard holders for $25. Burnaby Community Connections: Burnaby Community Connections operates a volunteer driving program for seniors who can neither drive nor take transit, to and from medical-related appointments in Burnaby. Clients must book at least five business days in advance. Cost: Small suggested donation. Citizen Support Services: Citizen Support Services assists seniors by providing a range of programs, such as the Gadabouts recreational outing program. Gadabouts offers monthly scenic drives, special events and luncheons to housebound seniors who need assistance to get out of the house and socialize with their peers in a supportive atmosphere. Citizen Support Services also offers a lunch program using volunteer drivers to bring clients to and from their home. Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles to transport seniors to and from these events. Cost: Small suggested donation. 30 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Seniors Services Society: Based in New Westminster, the Seniors Services Society coordinates a transportation service for isolated seniors. Volunteer drivers provide door-todoor transportation for medical and other appointments in their own private vehicles. Cost: Suggested donation of $8.00 (return trip) for local travel within New West, or $0.50 per kilometer between New West and neighbouring communities. Private services: There are also a number of private companies offering “companion services,” including transportation; however, they tend to be expensive. Cost: $60 per hour for Driving Miss Daisy but varies by company. Needs Assessment: Transportation Gaps Being able to get around often becomes an issue as people age, especially when it’s time to “hang up the keys.” According to a report published by Statistics Canada, groups that are more likely to face transportation challenges include: • • • • • • Seniors aged 85+ (“old old”) Seniors who lack access to a vehicle (as a driver or passenger) Seniors who have difficulty accessing public transit Seniors with lower household incomes (less than $20,000 per year) Seniors living in rural areas Women aged 65+ For example, among 75- to 84-year-olds, the study found that 83% of men had vehicle access as a driver compared to only 45% of women. Among those 85 and older, the proportion of men able to drive a household vehicle was twice as high, at 66% versus 33% of women. In short, men are much more likely to have access to a household vehicle than their female counterparts. Similarly, wealthier households tended to have better access to transportation: “90% of seniors living in households with incomes over $40,000 owned a vehicle and had access to it as a driver; almost no senior in this income category struggled with inadequate transportation.” In contrast, 13% of seniors from low-income households (defined as earning $20,000 or less per year) lacked sufficient access to transportation. 31 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Not surprisingly, seniors aged 85 and over were much more likely to be limited in their ability to “get around town” than 65- to 74-year-olds.18 Figure 10 compares the level of access to transportation available by sex, age, education and household income. Figure 10. Seniors’ access to transportation 19 The same study by Statistics Canada found that restricted access to transportation can have a direct impact on seniors’ quality of life and one’s ability to live an active life. The results of the study’s statistical model “clearly show that when a person has access to neither public transport nor a household vehicle, they have a higher probability of not leaving the house…” The predicted probability that people with limited access to transportation would stay at home was 49%. Conversely, seniors with better transportation are more likely to leave their house on a given day and are more likely to engage in volunteer activities.20 18 Turcotte, M. (2008). Seniors’ Access to Transportation. Retrieved from Statistics Canada: <www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/11-008-x2006005-eng.htm>. 19 Ibid. 20 Ibid. 32 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Focusing on the City of Burnaby, a 2007 survey by the Voices of Burnaby Seniors (VOBS) found that a significant number of seniors living in Burnaby have difficulty getting around. Published in a report by the Burnaby Seniors’ Interagency Society, the survey of approximately 640 Burnaby residents found that: • • • • • • • 39% of respondents said they had difficulty getting to where they need to go when they wanted to go (difficulty ranged from occasional difficulty to difficulty very often) 25% of respondents did not have a driver in the household One-third of respondents walk or use public transit to get to their destinations 52% of respondents wanted a door-to-door transit service for seniors 53% of respondents who use public transit wanted more frequent bus service 41% of respondents who use public transit had safety concerns 27% of respondents who use public transit had challenges with physical barriers Respondents were also asked what transportation challenges they experienced when using public transit. Among the 411 qualitative responses were, the most common challenges were: • • • Safety concerns (41%) Time (34%) Cost (23%) For example, comments included the following: • • • “With new buses, seniors and people with disabilities face the back of the bus and go flying when the bus stops There are no bars to help pull yourself up when you get on.” “Make it mandatory for bus drivers to wait till [sic] we sit down before taking off and make sure not to leave until people have both feet on the sidewalk.” “Crowded buses and SkyTrain, waiting in the rain at bus stops, no seats at bus stops…” Many survey respondents had concerns with the accessibility of the conventional transit system, including: • • • • Drivers not waiting for seniors to get seated on the bus Not having room for walkers or other mobility aids Too many steps to get on/off buses (old TransLink vehicles) Lack of handholds on buses 33 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 • Concerns with other passengers taking seats reserved for seniors and people with disabilities In addition, not all bus stops are accessible. In fact, slightly fewer than half (45%) of active bus stops in the City of Burnaby are wheelchair accessible. Until recently, TransLink’s old accessible bus stop plan applied to wheelchairs only and not to any other accessibility issues such as cognitive and sensory impairments. Yet as TransLink notes, “As the first point of entry to the transit system, bus stop accessibility is vital.”21 There are also a number of issues surrounding TransLink’s custom transit services, which includes HandyDART door-to-door services and the Taxi Saver program. As noted in one of TransLink’s Access Transit reports: “Up to 70% of HandyDART service is used for medical and social service trips leaving very little service available for users to engage in social, recreational or other activities.”22 Equally important is the fact that seniors have different needs and wants compared to other HandyDART users. The one-size-fits-all model of paratransit (forms of transportation that are more flexible and personalized than conventional fixed-route, fixed schedule transit) fails to recognize the benefits of socializing among peers. Indeed, it can be argued for all transit-users that the experience of travelling is as important as getting to the destination itself, especially if the experience is a negative one. How you get there can be just as important as where you are going. The Beverley Foundation aptly describes the situation facing many communities and the corresponding need for alternative transportation: “While it is estimated that 80% of [American] adults age 65+ are licensed drivers, research suggests that many of the “old old” or those in the age 85+ age group will outlive their driving expectancy and become dependent on transportation options other than driving their car. Supplemental transportation options are organized to complement traditional transportation. They target older adults who choose not to drive or cannot drive because of financial, physical or mental limitations. Thus, it is the 85+ age group that often has the greatest need for and is targeted by supplemental transportation options.”23 21 TransLink. (June 18, 2007). Access Transit Plan. Retrieved from the BC Legislative Library: <www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/pubdocs/bcdocs/416137/accesstransitplan.pdf>. 22 Ibid. 23 Beverley Foundation. (October 2008). STPS in America. Retrieved from: <www.beverlyfoundation.org/library/transportationoptions/factsheet.vol.1.no.3.STPs.America.pdf>. 34 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Figure 11. What is Disability? At one point in our lives, many of us will experience some form of disability, whether temporary or permanent. Despite this statistic, the concept of disability can be difficult to understand because it takes on many different shapes and forms; because it means so many things, disability is a condition that is not always observable. The World Health Organization offers the following definition: “Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Thus disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives.” There are many different types of disabilities such as: • • • • • • Hearing: Difficulty hearing what is being said in a conversation. Seeing: Difficulty seeing ordinary newsprint or clearly seeing the face of someone. Speech: Difficulty speaking and/or being understood. Mobility: Difficulty walking half a kilometre or up/down stairs, carrying objects such as groceries or standing for long periods. Memory: Frequent periods of confusion or difficulty remembering things, often associated with Alzheimer’s disease, brain injuries or other similar conditions. Developmental: Cognitive limitations due to the presence of a developmental disability or disorder, such as Down syndrome or autism. Unfortunately, the demand for local supplemental transportation options currently exceeds capacity. Burnaby Community Connections is unable to meet demand for medical transportation services while Citizen Support Services frequently gets requests for volunteer drivers to help run errands, which is beyond their scope of services. It is also worth noting that private transportation services exist—to help fill this gap in seniors’ transportation—but are cost-prohibitive for the vast majority of seniors. In summary, HandyDART and conventional transit fulfill basic transportation needs but do not provide the kind of experience that seniors’ transportation programs typically provide— a personal connection with the driver and other riders, a consistent level of service and arm-to-arm assistance when needed. The D2D Bus shuttle will serve a functional purpose while delivering social benefits (e.g., mental and physical well-being) at the same time. Specialized transportation services are typically needed because an individual does not have access to an automobile or is unable to use fixed-route public transportation because of disability or because of the nature of the trip he or she wishes to make. For example, a 35 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 client might take HandyDART to and from medical appointments but have trouble arranging transportation to visit friends. D2D Bus’s purpose would be to fill such niches. Seniors transportation programs complement rather than replace existing transportation services. Eligibility In Canada, anyone over the age of 65 qualifies as a “senior citizen,” yet seniors as a whole are far from being a homogenous group. For instance, most seniors do not fit the traditional stereotype of the frail, elderly pensioner. As J.L. Fozard, a notable biomedical gerontologist, points out, “Intrinsic variability in aging resulting from genetic influences are amplified by environmental factors such as differential exposure to disease, environmental pollutants and carcinogens, lifestyle variations, and variability in the manmade environment.”24 In short, aging is uniquely experienced among persons that might have the same numeric age. Who will be eligible for the D2D Bus? The short answer is “everyone,” so long as they live near the bus route. An “open door” eligibility policy will be one of the cornerstones of the service. Interestingly, the North Shore Go Seniors Bus Study found that older seniors, 80 and over, tend to “self-select” themselves as program recipients, whereas significantly fewer younger seniors ride the shuttle. Thus, the longer answer is that while there are no specific eligibility requirements, it is anticipated that highly independent seniors who can drive or take transit at their leisure will generally prefer to do so. While designed with seniors in mind, adults with disabilities will also be welcome to use the service. To make the program more “disability-friendly,” caregivers or family members will be welcome to ride free of charge. 5.2 Potential Funding Sources Economic considerations are a key factor when planning a supplemental transportation program for seniors. As Burkhardt and Kerschner note in their report, How to Establish and Maintain Door-Through-Door Transportation Services for Seniors, “Any transportation service needs dependable resources for hiring staff; vehicles (if purchased by the program); 24 Fozard, J.L. (2000). Sensory and Cognitive Changes with Age. In K. Schaie & M. Pietrucha (Eds.), Mobility and Transportation Among the Elderly (97-124). New York, NY: Springer. 36 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 gas and maintenance; reporting to sponsors; and the many other functions necessary for organizational survival.”25 Even volunteer driver programs require operational funding. Funding for seniors’ transportation programs often comes from a variety of sources, both private and public, such as: • • • • • • Seed funding Ongoing service operation grants Corporate sponsorship In-kind contributions Pledges/promises to give “On board” donations Ensuring a consistent flow of funding, however, is a significant challenge for most nonprofit organizations. At one time or another, nearly all non-profits worry about funding—or more accurately the lack of it. A study by the Beverley Foundation, for example, found that the top challenge in securing funding was “getting grants to support operations,” an issue for 68% of respondents. Other challenges included: “getting charitable donations from private individuals” (56%); “getting businesses to contribute to our program” (41%); and “getting community groups to contribute to our program” (37%).26 The majority of respondents (85%) indicated that they were currently considering ways to increase funding. It was felt that additional funding would enable their organizations to increase service—for instance, more service hours or additional staff and drivers. Of those who received new funding in 2009, the top priorities for expanding service identified by respondents were for: increased mileage reimbursement (or incentives) for volunteer drivers; payment for taxi rides; expansion of service capacity or service area; development of travel training programs; and hiring new staff (including mobility managers). A key question is “how do we ensure that our organization has a sustainable source of funding?” The Beverly Foundation offers a number of practical solutions: 25 Burkhardt, J. & Kerschner, H. (2005). How to Establish and Maintain Door-Through-Door Transportation Services for Seniors. Retrieved from: <http://www.stpexchange.org/HowToGuide_DoorThroughDoorTransportation.pdf> 26 Beverley Foundation. (December 2009). Financing Programs and Services in Seniors Transportation Programs. Retrieved from: <www.stpexchange.org/Financing%20Transportation%20Services%20Report_12-09.pdf>. 37 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Develop partnerships • • • • Share information with similar programs. Join local special needs transportation planning groups. Network with transportation people (e.g., Ministry of Transportation and Transport Canada). Connect with other service providers, local planners and elected officials. Enhance communication • • • • • • Create a public awareness campaign about needs of aging population to get places safely that elevates perceptions to recognize relationship between assisted transportation and the ability to maintain independence at home and delay life in an institutional setting. Make local politicians aware of services and ask for recommendations. Convince health care providers that transportation benefits them. Motivate more family members of seniors to donate funds. Make sure the service is visible in the community so that local businesses will be encouraged to support it. Tell the story of the people using the service and the impact on their lives. Do research • • • • • Develop GOOD QUANTITATIVE DATA (not just anecdotes) about your community’s senior transportation needs. Educate yourself and your community about what is already out there and what is needed. Make sure to have good records and statistical information for grant applications. Track business and medical provider destinations and solicit destinations. Know about the best search engines and websites for new funds. Know the names of local foundations that fund initiatives related to aging and/or transportation. Look to transportation services • • • Work with your local transportation provider, not against them. Engage in more collaboration and advocacy among senior transportation providers. Form viable partnerships with transit.27 27 Burkhardt, J. & Kerschner, H. (2005). How to Establish and Maintain Door-Through-Door Transportation Services for Seniors. 38 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Another important strategy is to maintain a range of varied funding sources—for instance, applying for several grants that look promising, soliciting donations from local businessess, and collecting donations from riders. By the same token, from a purely administrative perspective, it makes more sense to concentrate on a few major sources of funding rather than piecing together a dozen or more smaller grants/gifts. Grantseeking Applying for a grant is more than just “writing the proposal”—otherwise more groups would be successful in their pursuit of grant money. The key to grantseeking is coming up with an innovative, thoroughly developed project for the grant proposal. Proposals should focus on several key needs, and must explain how the group will use the award money to address these needs in a measurable way. As New and Quick observe: “Funders don’t just fund good ideas. They fund well-thought out, workable projects,” described in a way that clearly explains, “what you intend to do in the project, what resources your organization will contribute, and what role the funder is asked to play.”28 Grant guidelines are issued by most larger foundations, and are either available on the foundation’s website or by request. A list of grants that are relevant to seniors, people with disabilities, seniors and community health services is provided in Appendix A. Key opportunities include: City of Burnaby Grant: Applications must be received no later than May 15 of each year. Vancity Community Project Grant: Provides up to $10,000 for projects that focus on acting on climate change, facing poverty and growing the social economy. Applications that demonstrate work in two or more of these areas are preferred, as are those that focus resources specifically on marginalized people. Grants are awarded three times per year. Westminster Savings Foundation: Provides funding to three sectors in approximately equal amounts: (1) Education, (2) Health, (3) Social Services, Youth Activities and Culture. Past recipients have included the Bonsor Seniors Society and Seniors Services Society as well as the Burnaby Seniors Outreach Services Society ($10,000). Deadlines to submit applications to the Westminster Savings Foundation are July 10 and December 10 of each year. 28 New, C.C., & Quick, J.A. (2002) How to Write A Grant Proposal. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons. 39 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Corporate Sponsorship Sponsorship involves supporting an event, activity, person or organization, through cash or in-kind products or services. Not to be confused with philanthropy, corporate sponsors are mostly self-interested: “They are looking for opportunities to improve their market share, increase sales, enhance employee morale, or meet their own needs.”29 An organization needs to be able to demonstrate that for every dollar they receive, a certain amount of benefit is returned to the dollar. Generally speaking, types of “payback” might include... • • • Sponsored events that recognize the donors’ contributions Publicity (news coverage, advertising in a publication that the organization produces, magnetic ads on the outside of the shuttle) Corporate involvement (volunteer opportunities) In short, sponsors want to know, “What’s in it for our organization?” A letter to potential sponsors could tout the following benefits: • • • • Build a strong relationship with this fast-growing community of older adults in Burnaby and beyond; Support your employees and their families by promoting livable, age-friendly communities; Take advantage of tax-deductions for all cash or in-kind contributions, big or small. It all counts! Be recognized as a community leader in promotional materials. The Burnaby Board of Trade’s online member directory is an excellent resource for collecting information about local companies, particularly if targeting a specific industry (e.g., transportation).30 Figure 12 also provides a list of top companies in Burnaby that are worth contacting. 29 Young, J., Wyman, K., & Swaigen, J. (2002). Fundraising for Non-profit Groups. North Vancouver, BC: Self-Counsel Press. 30 Burnaby Board of Trade. (2009). Membership and Resource Directory. Retrieved from: <www.bbot.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=268>. 40 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Figure 12. Top 10 companies in Burnaby31 Company Name Description Contact Mailing Address Top Five Private Companies Ranked by 2006 Revenue Best Buy Canada Ltd. Consumer electronics retailer Jimmy Mak 778-452-2256 4805 Kingsway Burnaby, BC V5G 4K4 HY Louie Co. Ltd. Grocery distributor 604-421-4242 2821 Production Way Burnaby, BC V5A 3G7 Pacific Blue Cross Group insurance carrier Lisa Muir, Regional Account Manager 604-419-2000 PO Box 7000, Vancouver, BC V6B 4E1 Inland Group Truck & heavy equipment dealer Jim Beiderwieden, President 604-299-7730 2482 Douglas Road Burnaby, BC V5C 6C9 Carter Automotive Group Automotive dealer 604-291-2266 4550 Lougheed Highway Burnaby, BC V5C 3Z5 Top Five Public Companies Ranked by 2006 Revenue Taiga Building Building products Products Ltd. distributor 604-438-1471 800 Kingsway Burnaby, BC V5H 4T9 Glentel Inc. Wireless communications Thomas Skimore 604-431-2302 8501 Commerce Court Burnaby, BC V5A 4N3 Xantrex Technology Inc. Gateway Casinos Income Fund Advanced power electronics 604-422-8595 8999 Nelson Way Burnaby, BC V5A 4B5 Gaming Lui Garcea, Manager, Marketing and Promotion, 604-412-0166 300 - 4621 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4X8 604-454-0900 9000 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, BC V5J 5J8 Ballard Power Fuel cell Systems Inc. manufacturer 31 City of Burnaby. (no date). Burnaby Profile, Quick Facts. Retrieved from: <http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/__shared/ assets/More_About_Burnaby_-_Quick_Facts5387.pdf>. 41 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 In-Kind Donations Organizations that provide supplemental transportation services will often receive in-kind contributions from members, public agencies, businesses, skilled professionals and/or others. An in-kind contribution is simply a non-cash input which can be given a cash value. Some examples are: Free use of a vehicle and/or maintenance, advertising, and assistance with planning from local government agencies. In-kind donations help to keep the donee’s costs down, while donors may receive public acknowledgment of their generosity and involvement in the community, and an oft-appreciated tax write-off if the organization is a registered charitable organization. Having free or low-cost access to a vehicle will help ensure the financial sustainability of the program. Potential partners who have mini-buses or vans include: • • • • • • • • • • • Chevron Bonsor Recreation Complex Confederation Recreation Complex The Mulberry Retirement Home New Vista Care Home St. Michael's Centre Amica at Rideau Manor Portuguese Canadian Seniors Foundation Harmony Court Estate Services for Seniors Program Jack Bell Foundation See Appendix B for contact information. Onboard Donations Due to the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act and the Passenger Transportation Act, a fee cannot be charged for this service. The D2D Bus service will be free, although donations will gladly be accepted. D2D Bus could have “suggested donation” (e.g., $2) to help cover the cost of gas. The North Shore Seniors Go Bus has a “pay what you can” policy. In 2008, they received $7,627.33 in donations, which accounted for approximately one-fifth of operating costs. The average revenue was $1.19 per rider, per day. 42 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Planned Giving Planned giving is a set of ways a donor can leave money/assets to a non-profit at his or her death. A planned gift can offer substantial tax and estate planning benefits while allowing the donor to make a larger and more lasting gift to the community. “Leave a Legacy” campaigns are grassroots public awareness programs by charities to promote planned giving locally. The intended result is to increase the number of planned gifts from donors to charitable organizations: “By endorsing the LEAVE A LEGACY™ program, organizations can help raise awareness about the importance of making a gift from an estate to charity. The ultimate outcome is an increase in estate gifts that support the work of charities, the work that enriches all our lives in all of our communities.”32 Local members include larger organizations such as the BC Cancer Agency as well as smaller non-profits like the North Shore ConneXions Society and the West End Seniors' Network Society. Information about the Greater Vancouver Leave a Legacy chapter is available online.33 5.3 Outreach and Community Relations Promotion of the shuttle has two distinct purposes: First, to gain support from the community and develop ridership; and secondly, to attract grant and donor funds. Relationship building with community partners is an integral part of our outreach strategy. Additional marketing strategies include programming for television and print media. The following sections outline various community-based organizations with whom VOBS could potentially partner. Seniors Organizations Seniors organizations are a great place to advertise since D2D Bus is geared towards a similar clientele. It is anticipated that seniors’ centres will be a popular destination, so it 32 Leave a Legacy. (2010). Involve Your Organization: Partnering. Retrieved from: <www.leavealegacy.ca/program/involve>. 33 Leave a Legacy. (2010). Greater Vancouver. Retrieved from: <www.leavealegacy.ca/program/help/locate/greater-vancouver>. 43 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 makes sense to advertise the service at such organizations. Some of the seniors’ centres in Burnaby include: • • • • • • • • • • Bonsor Cameron Confederation SAKI (South Asian) seniors at Confederation North Burnaby Retired Association (Chinese seniors) at Confederation Edmonds Seniors’ Recreation Centre Asian Friendship Society at Edmonds Newcomers group (Iranian senions) Burnaby Seniors Outreach Services Society South Burnaby Neighbourhood House The Burnaby Senior Citizens’ Telephone Book, published by City of Burnaby: Citizen Support Services, provides a comprehensive directory of senior-friendly organizations. Seniors Residences The Seniors Housing Directory of BC provides a list of seniors’ residences in Burnaby. Because many of the private residences offer their own outings, D2D Bus will concentrate on serving not-for-profit housing types.34 Postering at seniors residences (with permission from management) is a low-cost but effective marketing strategy. Community Health Service Providers Community health service providers (doctors, nurses, social workers) are well positioned to provide information on transportation alternatives. Doctors, for example, are often involved in a mature driver’s decision to “give up the keys.” Brochures could be distributed to various public health services such as: • • • • 34 Fraser Health Home Health Care Burnaby Partners in Seniors’ Wellness Health Alert at Bonsor Complex Health Focus at Cameron Recreation Centre Seniors Services Society. (2010). Seniors Housing Directory of BC. Retrieved from: <www.seniorshousing.bc.ca>. 44 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 • Health Drop-In at Confederation Community Centre A number of the above organizations also offer lunchtime presentations—an opportunity for VOBS (and other seniors transportation groups) to provide more information about mobility issues and solutions. Word-of-Mouth Non-profit organizations have long depended on word-of-mouth marketing for practical reasons: It’s part of our natural desire to share information, people believe other people and, above all, it costs nothing. Because of the personal nature of the communications between individuals, people are more likely to trust the advice of friends and family than advertisements. In this case, word of mouth advertising can be as simple as a D2D Bus user referring their friend to the service, or a family member speaking to a potential donor. The process of “word of mouth” advertising can be amplified by: • • • • Passing information through selected networks Speaking to groups Using digital communication (e.g.,, emails and e-newsletters) Sparking conversations using more traditional forms of advertising All of the above are relatively easy and cost-effective ways to “spread the word” about the Burnaby D2D Bus. Additional Advertising Community-based media outlets such as Shaw TV (Channel 4 and 119), NewsLeader and Burnaby Now are additional avenues for promoting the D2D Bus. The North Shore Seniors Go Bus, for example, occasionally places ads in the North Shore News, although their executive director notes that this is a more costly strategy. In comparison, the Westside Seniors’ Empowerment Coalition was able to attract attention and garner free publicity in the Vancouver Courier as a spokesperson on seniors’ transportation issues. VOBS could try a similar approach while assessing the amount of money available for advertising. 45 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 5.4 Next Steps • • • • • • Develop marketing pitch for potential funders, for example: “Buy a seat on the Burnaby D2D Bus!”: o Sell seats for annual total of $2,500 (like refurbishing theatres). o Sell “subscription” options of 2 or 5 year commitments. o Multiple groups can share seat “ownership.” o Provide recognition on seat tags or removable covers, for example: “This seat is available in part because of a generous donation from...” Create promotional materials (flyers and brochures) briefly describing service and key benefits to riders and donors. Develop slide presentation showing riders using “test” bus. Contact and present to potential funders: o Call Burnaby Board of Trade to schedule presentation to as many members as possible. o Invite prospective funders / donors on a “test ride” to show how the service would work, with “test riders” from VOBS (mimic North Shore Seniors Go Bus experience). Apply for upcoming grants. Distribute press releases to local newspapers. 46 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 APPENDIX A Relevant Grants 47 Vancity seeks to support projects that meet one or more of the specific funding criteria outlined below within the 3 funding priorities (see left); engage the community in decisionmaking and program development/delivery on issues that affect them; encourage community partnerships and leverage additional support meet identified needs; and have a measurable impact in the community; and when appropriate, direct resources at marginalized groups, including Aboriginal peoples, refugees, immigrants, and people with low incomes. Support is given for the development of new projects. Grants will be considered for matching funds, operating funds, program funding, research projects, and seed money. MOST will fund: up to 50% of eligible costs (cash or in-kind); and up to a maximum of $150,000 over a threeyear period. Proposals with shorter durations are fine. Community Services; Organizations and Westminster Savings supports Health; Social projects which are initiatives in Education, Health, Social Services. located in and Services, Youth Activities and Culture. provide a direct benefit to the communities served by Westminster Savings, including Burnaby, are eligible to submit an application for financial support. Westminster Savings Foundation Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley or Greater Victoria region. Community Services. British Columbia. Canada. Granting Region Types of Support 10-Jul-2010 or 10-Dec-2010 Sauder Foundation (no website) 1-Apr-2010 Transport Canada created the Moving On Sustainable Transportation (MOST) program to help organizations implement demonstration, research, education and pilot projects that create and support new sustainable transportation options for Canadians. Relevant Funding Interests Community project grants provide up to $10,000 for projects that focus on acting on climate change, facing poverty and growing the social economy. Applications that demonstrate work in two or more of these areas are preferred. Transport Canada, Moving on Sustainable Transportation (MOST) 31-Mar-2010 15-May-2010 or Vancity, 15-Sep-2010 Community Projects Grant Grant Name Application Deadline Up to $10,000 Westminster Savings does Not not make donations or available. sponsorship funding available to adult recreational sports activities, initiatives which benefit only a specific individual or a very small group of individuals, or requests for retroactive funding. VanCity does not provide funding for: Planning and development for social enterprises and cooperatives; Capital purchases; Multi-year funding commitments; More than 70% of the project’s budget. Not available. www.vancity.com/ MyCommunity/NotF orProfit/Grants/Co mmunityProjectGra nts/PreviousRecipie nts/ St. James Social Services; Family Services of Greater Vancouver; A Loving Spoonful. Average 2008 Recipients Granting Range MOST will More than 50 fund: up projects since to 50% of 1999. eligible costs (cash or inkind); and up to a maximum of $150,000 over a three-year period. Proposals with shorter durations are fine. Grants will not be made $400 for building funds, capital $2000 funds, conferences and seminars, deficit financing, emergency funds, endowment funds, equipment funds, special projects or to individuals for awards, fellowships, scholarships, bursaries, or research. MOST does not fund: Projects that do not have a primary focus on sustainable transportation issues; projects which are for-profit in nature, or which are tied to a company’s line of business; projects where the benefit does not accrue to Canadians; and regular activities of the organization (e.g. general meetings, conferences), pr the group’s overall program. Funding Restrictions Officers and Directors William L. Sauder, Chair; MajorieAnne Sauder; Leigh P. Sauder; Marcia J. Sauder; Claire A. Wright. Organizations interested in applying to Westminster Savings for sponsorship are asked to fill out a Community Partnership Request Form, found online. Applications may be submitted by mail year-round Not available. (1) Read the Not applicable. Community Project Grant Guiding Principles; (2) Review Grant Application and Resources, including the Writing Application Guide & FAQ; (3) Complete application; (4) submit a hardcopy to VanCity. The Foundation meets once a year to decide on donation recipients. This is done in the month of April. The Directors go over all the requests received during the year and make a decision at this time. Submit electronic Not applicable. AND signed paper copy via mail. Application should be >15 pages, and should include the following: (1) applicant description; (2) project description and work plan; (3) budget forecast; (4) description of other funding sources; and (5) applicant declaration. Application Procdedure Nicole Eich, Foundation and Community Investment Manager, 406-960 Quayside Drive, New Westminster, British Columbia, V3M 6G2 Sustainability Group, Region #2, PO Box 2120, Station Terminal, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5R8 William L. Sauder, Chair, P.O. Box 48978, 3500 - Four Bentall Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7X 1A8 Moving On Sustainable Transportation Program, Office of Environmental Affairs, Sustainable Development Division, Transport Canada, 330 Sparks Street, Place de Ville, Tower C, 18th Floor, Ottawa, ON, K1A ON5 Contact 1 (604) 5170100 or neich@wscu. com Burnaby/TriCities (Region #2): Michelle Pandher, Senior Coordinator E: michelle_pan dher@vancity .com (613) 9986607 or MOST@tc.gc. ca Contact 2 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 48 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 APPENDIX B Potential Partners with Vehicles 49 7451 Sussex Avenue Burnaby, BC V5J 5C Alice Heiman, Support Services Manager Leon Teubes, Executive Director Jack Bell Foundation 604-520-6621 aliceh@seniorservicessociet y.ca 604-527-3323 604-873-2979 m_santos@pcsf.ca 604-291-1792 rideau@amica.ca 604-434-1323 helias@stmichaels.bc.ca ext. 115 604-527-6000 carolf@newvista.bc.ca ext. 124 JBF loans vehicles to groups want carpool to a work/school (i.e. a regular destination). While it is not in their mandate to operate seniors' transportation, the organization will evaluate requests based of demonstrated demand. Formerly Canada Way Lodge. Owned and operated by AgeCare Canada. Rideau is part of Amica Mature Lifestyles, a Canadian company which operates seniors' residences in BC and Ontario. The regional office can be reached at 604-6086777. Request to present to New Vista Society Board of Directors? Phone Email Comments 604-439-5510 anne.richards@burnaby.ca Final decision will be by the society but best for initial contact to be through staff. Cindy Cheng would like to introduce the idea first. 604-296-7014 kathy.doebert@burnaby.ca Final decision will be by the society but best for initial contact to be through staff. Cindy Cheng would like to introduce the idea first. 604-526-2248 earl@themulberry.ca Pacific Arbor Retirement Communities already partners with various community-based seniors' organizations, including Silver Habour Seniors Cente, Citizen Support Services and the Fall Prevention Society. 700 West 57th Avenue, 604-301-3823 leont@ride-share.com Vancouver, BC 209-800 McBride Blvd. New Westminster, BC V3L 2B8 Manuel Jose Santos, 5455 Imperial St. President Burnaby, BC V5J 1E5 Used for scheduled Mary Aaron, Lodge 7197 Canada Way transportation to Manager Burnaby, BC V5E 3R7 entertainment programs and lunches out. Services for Seniors Program 8 passengers mid-size vans. The Jack Bell Foundation owns the vehicles, which come with $10,000,000 in liability coverage per vehicle. Deborah Burrowes, 1850 Rosser Avenue General Manager or Burnaby, BC V5C 5E1 Maureen Duns, Community Relations Manager Amica at Rideau Manor Portuguese Canadian Seniors Foundation Harmony Court Estate Helene Elias, Executive Director St. Michael's Centre Full-size bus similar to the Rideau provides a vehicle used by the NS Go "scheduled bus Bus service for planned activities" Carol Finnie, CEO New Vista Care Home 7550 Rosewood Street Burnaby, BC V5E 3Z3 Earl Bergen, General 7230 Acorn Avenue Manager Burnaby, BC V5E 4N Contact Name Address Anne Richards, 6550 Bonsor Avenue Seniors Programmer Burnaby, BC V5H 3G4 The Mulberry Retirement Home Availability Kathy Doebert, 4585 Albert Street Seniors Programmer Burnaby, BC V5C 2G6 Type of Bus Confederation Recreation Complex Organization Bonsor Recreation Complex Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 50 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 APPENDIX C Burnaby Community Connection’s 2009 Financial Statements 51 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Burnaby Community Connections Society FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2009 52 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 BURNABY COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SOCIETY DECEMBER 31, 2009 CONTENTS AUDITORS' REPORT Page 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Financial Position 2 Statement of Operations and Changes in Fund Balances 3 Statement of Cash Flows 4 Notes to Financial Statements 5-7 53 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 AUDITORS' REPORT To the Members of Burnaby Community Connections Society: We have audited the statement of financial position as at December 31, 2009, the statement of operations and changes in fund balances, and the statement of cash flows of Burnaby Community Connections Society for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. Except as explained in the following paragraph, we conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. In common with many organizations, the organization derives revenue from donations and fund raising activities, the completeness of which is not susceptible to satisfactory audit verification. Accordingly, our verification of these revenues was limited to the amounts recorded in the records of the organization and we were not able to determine whether any adjustments might be necessary to receipts, excess of receipts over disbursements, assets and surplus. In our opinion, except for the effect of adjustments, if any, which might have determined to be necessary had we been able to satisfy ourselves concerning the completeness of the receipts referred to in the preceding paragraph, these financial statements present fairly, in all material respects the financial position of the organization as at December 31, 2009 and the results of its operation and the changes in its financial position for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. As required by the British Columbia Society Act, we report that, in our opinion, these principles have been applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year. Delta, B.C. May 31, 2010 CERTIFIED GENERAL ACCOUNTANTS 1. 54 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 BURNABY COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2009 Operating Fund Gaming Fund 2009 Total 2008 Total ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash Term deposit (note 3) Prepaid expenses Accounts receivable GST refundable Due from (to) other funds Due from (to) BMW (note 2) $ 128,238 40,649 5,468 38,690 1,541 (630) 13,983 $ CAPITAL ASSETS (note 5) $ - 128,711 40,649 5,468 38,690 1,911 13,983 1,473 229,412 192,927 370 630 227,939 TERM DEPOSIT (note 4) 473 - $ 119,732 16,174 6,436 38,420 1,629 10,536 40,227 - 40,227 39,354 4,603 - 4,603 5,960 $ 272,769 $ 13,003 5,510 85,010 1,473 $ 274,242 $ 238,241 - $ 13,003 5,510 85,010 $ 6,319 2,617 23,000 LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable Payroll liabilities Deferred revenue (note 6) $ 103,523 FUND BALANCES Invested in capital assets Unrestricted Externally restricted Internally restricted $ - 103,523 31,936 4,603 81,473 83,170 1,473 - 4,603 81,473 1,473 83,170 5,960 101,791 16,225 82,329 169,246 1,473 170,719 206,305 272,769 $ 1,473 $ 274,242 $ 238,241 APPROVED BY THE DIRECTORS: _____________________________ Director _____________________________ Director THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 2. 55 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 BURNABY COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SOCIETY STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 Operating Fund REVENUE Donations Fundraising Grant revenue United Way Gaming In kind donations (note 7) Administration fees and miscellaneous Program revenue $ 147,589 13,444 193,787 45,108 45,309 3,005 671 Gaming Fund $ 74,000 38 - 2009 Total $ 147,589 13,444 193,787 45,108 74,000 45,309 3,043 671 2008 Total $ 145,487 37,444 131,466 87,848 74,000 46,081 5,879 1,224 448,913 74,038 522,951 529,429 EXPENSES Amortization Consulting In kind donations (note 7) Insurance Miscellaneous (note 8) Office and telecommunications Professional fees Program expenses Rent Wages and benefits 1,356 32,223 45,309 4,302 15,990 2,116 7,109 103,128 7,322 250,892 15,572 70,207 3,011 1,356 32,223 45,309 4,302 15,990 17,688 7,109 173,335 7,322 253,903 1,783 5,625 46,081 4,207 13,480 20,023 5,166 189,884 9,366 270,848 Deficiency of revenue over expenses Fund balances, beginning of year 469,747 (20,834) 190,080 88,790 (14,752) 16,225 558,537 (35,586) 206,305 566,463 (37,034) 243,339 Fund balances, end of year $ 169,246 $ 1,473 $ 170,719 $ 206,305 THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 3. 56 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 BURNABY COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SOCIETY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS DECEMBER 31, 2009 2009 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Cash receipts Cash paid for expenses $ INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year 584,410 (550,083) 2008 $ 526,461 (575,788) 34,327 (49,327) 175,260 224,587 $ 209,587 $ 175,260 $ 128,711 $ 119,732 REPRESENTED BY: CASH TERM DEPOSITS General Fund (note 3) Christmas Bureau (note 4) 40,649 40,227 $ 209,587 16,174 39,354 $ 175,260 THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 4. 57 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 BURNABY COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2009 1. PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION Burnaby Community Connections Society is a not for profit organization incorporated under the British Columbia Society Act. The purposes of the society are to enhance lives by connecting people to services and fostering connections in their community. 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (a) The organization follows the deferral method of accounting for contributions. Restricted contributions are reported as revenue in the period in which the related expenses are incurred. Unrestricted contributions are reported as revenue in the period of receipt. (b) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles pertaining to not-for-profit organizations requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates relate to the impairment of assets and amortization rates, and accounts receivable and accounts payable. Actual results could differ from those reported. (c) The organization does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes and does not hold any derivative instruments. The carrying amounts reported in the statement of financial position for cash, term deposits, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair values, due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. (d) Purchased capital assets are recorded at cost. Capital assets costing more than $500 are capitalized; others are expensed when purchased. Amortization has been taken as follows: Computer hardware 30% declining balance Computer software 100% declining balance Office equipment 20% declining balance 1/2 of the above is taken in the year of acquisition. (e) Burnaby Community Connections Society shares premises, capital assets and various expenses with Burnaby Meals on Wheels Society (BMW). Shared assets and expenses have been allocated at the discretion of management. There are no set terms or conditions of payment. All transactions and balances are reported at the exchange amount. (f) The organization benefits greatly from donated services in the form of volunteer time. Because of the difficulty in determining fair value, the value of donated goods and services are only recognized when the fair value is determined by presentation of invoices or receipts. (g) Certain prior year figures have been restated to conform with current presentation. 5. 58 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 BURNABY COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2009 3. TERM DEPOSIT OPERATING FUND 2009 $ VanCity term deposit, interest at 2.00%, maturing March 10, 2010 Accrued interest on above 40,000 649 40,649 4. TERM DEPOSIT CHRISTMAS BUREAU Christmas Bureau term deposits are internally restricted for Christmas Bureau use. 2009 40,000 227 40,227 VanCity term deposit, interest at 0.90%, maturing May 15, 2010 Accrued interest on above $ 5. CAPITAL ASSETS Cost Computer hardware Office equipment $ $ 4,477 32,091 36,568 Accumulated Amortization $ $ 3,331 28,634 31,965 Net 2009 $ $ 1,146 3,457 4,603 Net 2008 $ $ 1,638 4,322 5,960 6. DEFERRED REVENUE Deferred revenue represents grants received in 2009 applicable to the subsequent year. 6. 59 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 BURNABY COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2009 7. IN KIND DONATIONS 2009 Local advertising - donated by Burnaby Now Food and goods for seniors' hampers - various sponsors Toys for Burnaby Christmas Bureau - various donors Lease grant - City of Burnaby 2008 $ 24,218 $ 6,291 4,551 10,249 16,987 12,562 4,551 11,981 $ 45,309 $ 46,081 8. MISCELLANEOUS 2009 Fundraising Agency expense Dues and subscriptions Bank and credit card charges Board development 2008 $ 11,165 $ 3,258 410 975 182 6,296 3,507 2,039 1,118 520 $ 15,990 $ 13,480 9. COMMITMENTS The association has entered into long term leases for office equipment as follows. All lease expenses are shared with Burnaby Meals on Wheels. 1. Copier/printer at $1,497 per quarter plus taxes for 22 quarters, starting April 2006 2. Mailer at $1,310 plus taxes and service per year for five years starting November 2007 10. INCOME TAXES The association qualifies as a non-profit organization as defined in the Income Tax Act and, as such, is exempt from income tax. 7. 60 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 APPENDIX D Prospective Door-2-Door Bus Routes 61 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Composite of Draft Door-2-Door Bus Routes Map data ©2010 Google - 62 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Draft Southwest Route 63 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Draft Southern + New Westminster Route 64 Voices of Burnaby Seniors Door 2 Door (D2D) Bus Business Plan | AUG 9, 2010 Draft Northern Route 65