Welcome to Version 17 of the Breeze
Dear Positive Power Co-op Members and Supporters,
Over the last three years we have all been working diligently to keep our projects moving forward to prepare our organization and community for an important first: raising the community based capital we need to put 'wings in the sky'. Thanks to the support, time and resources of our amazing community, PPC has become one of the most progressive and accomplished renewable energy co-ops in Ontario. We all can be proud of what we have accomplished and the leadership PPC has brought to the Hamilton, Halton and Haldimand communities.
Over the past weeks, the Board (with much guidance and support from our General Manager) has encountered a number of challenges that are going to have had a substantial impact on the short term operations of PPC. This information, and the related decisions it has brought to the Board table have prompted significant changes to how PPC operates. Regrettably and with much sadness, I am writing today to let you know that we will be unable to renew the contract of our talented General Manager, Jen Heneberry, after March 31/06.
This decision is no reflection upon the leadership, dedication and skills that Jen has brought to her efforts at PPC over the past two and a half years. In fact, Jen has and continues to be the driving force behind our day-to-day growth in the community. Our organization has been incredibly fortunate to have had Jen working on behalf of important efforts. Jen's impact on our growth has been positive and profound.
While extremely difficult to arrive at this decision, it has been made with the long term business interests of PPC in mind. Quite simply, we have stretched our financial resources as far as they can go and as a responsible employer we can no longer guarantee Jen the security she deserves as an employee. We are caught in a timing squeeze between our short term cash flow and our ability to reach out to the community to raise the capital we need to drive our projects forward.
The board is well aware of the impact of this decision and wants to reassure all our members, volunteers and community supporters that PPC is going not going away. Our daily operations will look different for the next while but our goal of bringing community owned renewable energy to our members is unwavering.
Thanks to your continued support it will happen once we have further clarity on two things: 1) how we will be selling our green power to the province; and 2) formal receipt of our 'offering statement; (the document that will let us sell bonds to raise the necessary funds for the projects). Once we have both of these puzzle pieces in place we will be in a position to generate the short term dollars needed to bring back a full time General Manager to drive that process forward.
The board would like to thank all the supporters who have made PPC what it is today: A strong and business savvy organization that is willing to make difficult short term decisions for the long term growth of our movement. Your collective energy and belief in community owned energy will see us through this ‘blip’ in our efforts.
The board would also like to once again thank Jen for all that she has given PPC. It has been a pleasure to work with her and we sincerely hope that PPC and Jen will one day again be working together. In the mean time we wish Jen nothing continued success and accomplishment and know she will add great value and leadership in what ever projects she takes on.
Finally, thank you for your on-going support. We will be keeping you posted on our progress with electronic updates with details as they become available.
Although it will be looking different for the next little while, rest assured that PPC is here to stay.
With many regards,Curt Hammond
Board Chair
