Heart-Links is managed in Canada by an
active Board of twelve directors and numerous volunteers. It has
no paid staff. Heart-Links works closely with four grass-roots organizations
in Northern Peru, primarily the Women’s Center based in the
coastal valley of Zaña. The Women’s Center plans and delivers
most of the programs funded by Heart-Links and is pivotal to raising
awareness and building relationships through its hosting of the
Work/Awareness Trip each year. Heart-Links is also engaged in a
small literacy program delivered by the Asociación Red de Bibliotecas
Rurales, a network of over 600 rural libraries in the Andean department
of Cajamarca.
Spiritual Foundation
In the spirit of the gospel, we collaborate with others...
based on love for all persons so that the gift of human dignity given
by God to all may be universally reverenced.
(extract from the Sisters of St. Joseph’s constitution)
Values
- solidarity and interpersonal linking with Peruvians
in target areas
- priority to the poorest people
- promotion of social justice, gender equity and empowerment
of women
- promotion of participatory management and self-sufficiency
- accountability and transparency of information to all
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.Mission
To link Peruvians and Canadians through
friendship and support for mutual growth and enrichment.
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Vision
- We will offer Work/Awareness Trips to build caring relationships
with the poor of Northern Peru.
- We will collaborate with community initiatives in the fields of
education, nutrition, health and income generation, to promote self-sufficiency.
- We will share with Canadians the many faces of poverty in Peru
to promote change.
- We will ensure funding for the above activities in Peru and in
Canada.
.Structure
The work is done through six standing committees (Board members as
well as non-Board members) in addition to the Executive Committee
(officers of the Corporation).
- The Work/Awareness Trip Committee prepares, organizes,
coordinates and evaluates all aspects of our annual trip to Peru.
This committee is key, as the Work/Awareness Trip embodies the essence
of Heart-Links. The trip initiates linking between Peruvians and
Canadians, raises awareness, helps recruit committed volunteers,
and generates on-going support. Careful attention is given to the
selection and briefing of the participants, and debriefing upon
their return. Members from our Peruvian sister organization, the
Women’s Center in Zaña, also assist in the planning and coordination
of the Work/Awareness Trips.
- The Peru/Projects Committee promotes development in Peru
through community initiatives in the fields of education, nutrition,
health, and income generation projects that promote self-sufficiency.
Its main responsibilities include: preparation of the annual agent
agreements with our Peruvian sister organizations; actively seeking,
reviewing, and approving work plans and budgets developed by these
organizations; and monitoring and evaluating the Peruvian projects.
The committee endorses a strong participatory development approach
and encourages training opportunities for all. It keeps in close
contact with the Women’s Center through e-mails, conference
calls, and annual visits.
- The Public Engagement Committee raises awareness in Canada
about poverty in regions of the developing world with emphasis on
Northern Peru, especially the coastal valley of Zaña and Andean
region of Cajamarca. Hopefully, this new awareness will lead to
an understanding of the issues at stake, personal involvement and
outreach. The committee’s mandate is realized through our newsletter,
web site, brochures, presentations, and networking.
- The Fund Development Committee oversees the generation
of revenues to support our Peruvian projects and raise awareness
of Canadians about poverty in Peru. Its main fund-raising activities
include an annual mail campaign, special events such as bazaars,
and sale of Peruvian crafts, cards, CDs and books.
- The Finance Committee advises the Board on financial matters.
It is responsible for preparing and reviewing the annual budget;
preparing and reporting financial statements; complying with charitable
status and government requirements; managing investments; ensuring
effective and appropriate accounting and internal control processes;
and coordinating audit-related activities.
- The Nominating Committee ensures that the Board of Directors
is made of the right people to ensure continued effectiveness, good
management, and stability of Heart-Links. Candidates should endorse
Heart-Links’ commitment to the spirit and Christian values
of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The committee seeks diversity, not
only of nominees’ skills and qualifications, but also of their
gender, backgrounds and attributes.
.FUND
RAISING CODE OF ETHICS
To ensure that donors and prospective donors have full confidence
in Heart-Links we declare that our donors have these rights:
- To be informed of Heart-Links' mission, of the way Heart-Links
intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use
donations effectively for the purposes intended.
- To be informed of the identity of those serving on Heart-Links’ governing
board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in
its stewardship responsibilities.
- To have access to Heart-Links' most recent financial statements.
- To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for
which they were given.
- To receive appropriate acknowledgment.
- To be assured of anonymity if requested.
- To be assured that information about their donation is handled
with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided
by law. To have the right to see their own donor record, and
to challenge its accuracy.
- To expect that all relationships with individuals representing
organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in
nature.
- To be informed that those seeking donations are volunteers
and not employees of the Heart-Links or hired solicitors.
- To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from
mailing lists that Heart-Links may intend to share.
- To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to
receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
- To be assured that fundraising solicitations will be truthful;
that they will accurately describe the intended use of donated
funds; and that they will respect the dignity and privacy of
those who benefit from Heart-Links’ fundraising activities.
- To be assured that Heart-Links’ financial affairs will
be conducted in a responsible manner, consistent with the ethical
obligations of stewardship and the legal requirements of provincial
and federal regulato
(31 May, 2004) |
