Santropol Roulant is an award-winning community organization founded and run by young people in Montreal. We bring people together across generations and cultures through an innovative approach to meals-on-wheels, and by engaging youth to take an active role in their community. Santropol Roulant uses food as a vehicle to create trust and build bridges between individuals in a city where isolation among the elderly is the highest in Canada.
Since 1995, we have delivered over 350,000 meals to seniors and individuals living with a loss of autonomy and offered over 275 jobs and internships for young people in the community. We have built a reputation throughout Canada as a social service with a vision for social change, housing innovative perspectives on youth engagement, urban food systems and community care.
Are you interested in becoming involved in the governance of the Roulant? If so, consider running for the Santropol Roulant Board of Directors!
At our upcoming Annual General Meeting on Thursday, May 21st, 2009, from 5:30-9pm, Santropol Roulant members (anyone who has been a client, volunteer, member of staff or donor within the past year) will elect directors to the Board, the governing body responsible for the overall policy-making and supervision of the Roulant. Five of the nine individuals that make up the Board are at mid-term this year, which means FOUR positions are up for election.
We are looking for imaginative, committed individuals who are 18 years or older, able to serve a 2-year term, and who possess a functional comprehension of French and English. We especially encourage clients, volunteers, staff, donors, neighbours, and friends to run!
In 2009, the Board will be focusing on its fundraising capabilities and on the Roulant’s long-term stability.
To submit your candidacy:
1) Review this document that describes the roles and responsibilities of the Board in more detail.
2) Fill out this nomination form, which can be downloaded from the main page of the Roulant’s website at www.santropolroulant.org or picked up at our office. Call us at 514-284-9335 if you would prefer that it be mailed to you.
3) Email or send your nomination form to Marc (marc@santropolroulant.org)before Tuesday, April 28th. The Roulant’s address is: 4050 rue St-Urbain, Montréal, QC H2W 1V3.
4) Most importantly, come to the Annual General Meeting and share with the rest of the membership why you are interested in joining the Board and why you feel you would be a good Board member (each candidate will have two minutes to present themselves).
If you have questions about the election process, call 514-284-9335 and ask for Marc. If you are curious to know what it is like to sit on the Roulant Board, feel free to email Alexander Hunting, a current Board member who is interested in sharing his experience with potential candidates: alexander.hunting@gmail.com
Thanks and please spread the word!!
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2009 Garden acivities !
To sign-up for volunteer shifts at the Mcgill Garden, or for updates and information, stop by the office, email Tim at green @ santropolroulant.org, or phone 514-284-9335.
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Santropol Roulant's Food Audit
Food is at the heart of what we do, and so how we do it is something we take to heart. Last fall Santropol Roulant produced a Food Audit, a review and analysis of what types of food our kitchen uses, where our food comes from, and what portion of this food is organic, fair trade, local, or other.
This food audit, hopefully the first of many more to come, will help Santropol Roulant set targets and meet regulations for the future. A food audit can also help connect us to the source of our food and inform our future purchasing choices. It will also reflect positively on the Roulant as it demonstrates a strategic step towards environmental education and improvement.
Imagine Canada and Investors Group asked Canadians to share their Reflection Stories with us on why Canada’s charities are important to them.
Congratulations to Lucinda Hage of Peterborough Ontario for her Reflection Story. Lucinda is the winning recipient of $5,000 to donate to the charity of her choice, Reach for the Rainbow. Read her story.
Imagine Canada wishes to thank all Reflection Story entrants who took the time to share their passion and belief in the charitable cause that have touched their lives. Read the Reflection Stories of the 10 Runner-Up entrants, including our volunteer Courtney Lester's touching story about Santropol Roulant! Click here to read her story.
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SantroVélo bike workshop
The Santropol Roulant community bike workshop is open !
Monday: 17h00 – 20h00 Saturday: 13h30 – 17h00
The workshop is run by volunteers so these hours can change; it is best to phone before showing up, or consult our new Facebook page for updates!
Mission
SantroVélo workshop is a space dedicated towards helping members of the community can work on their own bikes in an environment of cooperation and learning. We provide tools and lubricants, as well as new and used parts at an inexpensive cost. Our volunteer mechanics are there to guide and support you through your bike's repairs.
Exciting news! The Santropol Roulant kitchen now offers a catering service for your event or function.
We can provide service for the following events :
Buffet meals
Hors-d'oeuvres and bite-size nibblies
Lunches
Price varies between $20 and $50 and we can cater for between 10 and 100 people. All profits go directly back into the functioning of our meals on wheels service.
Call Elana or Armel at Santropol Roulant (514) 284-9335 for more information.
Note: Because the meal delivery service is our ultimate priority, our catering service is available only in function of the kitchen's availability.
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Santropol Roulant video:
TRANSITIONS & LEADERSHIP
In 2005 Santropol Roulant underwent an extensive reflection process to ensure a smooth transition and continued vibrancy in the time around the departure of outgoing Executive Director Vanessa Reid and arrival of Jane Rabinowicz into the position. The result is a case study on transition and leadership that is often cited as an influence for other organizations and projects going through similar cases.
And let us know what you think!
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Project Announcement:
Community-Government Collaboration on Policy March 2008 to March 2009
The Caledon Institute is pleased to announce a 13-month project focused upon the creation of a pan-Canadian community of practice with a primary interest in community-government collaboration around key social policy areas.
A partnership will be created among five communities, the Caledon Institute of Social Policy and representatives from Carleton University and the University of Ottawa in order to document selected policy measures related to economic and social well-being. The project offers an opportunity to combine community knowledge and experience with policy development processes in order to improve policy and program outcomes.
The five local partners are Santropol Roulant (Montréal), the Community Services Council Newfoundland and Labrador, the Hamilton Roundtable on Poverty Reduction, the Community-University Institute for Social Research (Saskatoon) and the City of Red Deer. Participants will take part in learning sessions which will focus on key aspects of policy and effective methods of collaborating with government around policy work. This learning process will result in the production of two major products: a web-based policy tracking document and a bilingual manual on community-government collaboration.
This project is being supported through the Social Development Partnerships Program of Human Resources and Social Development Canada.
Now that the cold is at our doors, we're turning our attention indoors. With the help of The Natural Step Canada we have begun a study of our ecological footprint. This Eco-challenge will asses the quantity of resources we consume at the Roulant in our daily operations in the office and the kitchen and improve our practices to be as green as we can be! A team composed of staff and volunteers participated in a two-day workshop in November to gain the proper skills to see this challenge through. We will keep you informed of our progress on this project online and invite you to check out our newly created Eco-challenge page.
Check out the Natural Step's Annual Report, in which Santropol Roulant's Eco-Challenge is featured. Click here.
If you have any questions whatsoever, get in touch!
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Going Local & Organic
Going Local & Organic is Santropol Roulant’s campaign to prepare 20% of our fresh, home-made meals with local, organic produce. Organically grown food supports local Quebec farmers, uses no pesticides or chemicals, is high in nutrients and respectful to the environment. From seed to table to stomach, we aim to build a strong and nourished community and raise awareness about where our food comes from and issues of urban food security.
Thank you to our organic meal sponsors: individuals, families, local businesses and neighbours! You can help, too! For a fully tax-deductable donation of $250, you can sponsor a full day of local & organic meals-on-wheels. Call us at 284-9335 and work with us toward an equitable food system and a nourished community!
THANKS TO OUR LOCAL & ORGANIC DAYS SPONSORS!
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OUR WISH LIST
We have updated our wishlist for 2009! Check it out and help us out!
