Joint Task Force Co-Chairs David Boyle and Greg Smith announced the selection of Association Strategy Group (ASG) as the consulting firm to undertake the feasibility study for Project Continuum.

The firm will explore options to maximize the resources of The Easter Seal Society, Ontario and Ontario March of Dimes, while providing a comprehensive and seamless continuum of services for children, youth and adults with physical disabilities in Ontario. The project is funded through a grant from The Ontario Trillium Foundation, spanning a 30-month period.

“The selection of a consulting firm by the Joint Task Force is a key step in the Project Continuum process”, said Co-Chair David Boyle, Chair of the Board for Ontario March of Dimes. “We had significant interest in the Request for Proposal that was jointly issued by the organizations and we are pleased with the selection of this firm.”

“We believe that the hiring of an independent consulting firm with expertise in non-profit association management will provide the Joint Task Force with the kind of objective analysis required”, added Co-Chair Greg Smith, Past Chair of the Board of The Easter Seal Society, Ontario (Easter Seals).

The ASG team, Chris LeClair, Managing Partner and Jennifer Shepherd, Director, Change Management, will report directly to the Joint Task Force, comprised of the two co-chairs and four additional Board members from each organization. The senior executives of the organizations are providing staff support and other staff will be assigned as needed.

The first phase of Project Continuum will be completed over a six-month period with the consultants issuing a report to the Boards of both organizations in January 2007. The consultants will be undertaking broad-based consultations involving staff, volunteers, consumers, support groups and external stakeholders on both an individual and group basis.

This communication is the first in a series of updates that will be issued to keep you informed as the project progresses.

For more information, please call:

Andria Spindel
President and CEO
Ontario March of Dimes
416-425-3463, ext. 7320
aspindel@dimes.on.ca

Carol Lloyd
President and CEO
The Easter Seal Society, Ontario
416-421-8778, ext. 340
clloyd@easterseals.org