2014-15 Who We Are

ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR SCIENCE

Annual Report 2014-15 Who We Are

The Royal Canadian Institute is the oldest scientific society in Canada, formed in 1849 by a group of civil engineers, architects and surveyors led by Sir Sandford Fleming and charged with the “encouragement and general advancement of the Physical Sciences, the Arts and Manufactures….” in the forming nation of Canada. The Institute is known for hosting the first public lecture on Standard Time by Sir Sandford Fleming, as well as playing a role in the development of the Royal Ontario Museum, Algonquin Park and a national science and technology funding agency.

In 2015, this venerable society is called RCIScience. Our vision is unchanged after 166 years: an informed public that embraces science to build a stronger Canada.

RCI Science has more than 600 members from the general public, governed by a 14 member Council and a three member Advisory Board. Councillors are volunteers who come from academic, business and policy backgrounds. There are 2 paid staff and several student volunteers.

Our Council

HONORARY PATRON COUNCILLORS OF THE INSTITUTE His Excellency The Right Honourable David Johnston C.C., Spencer C.H. Barrett, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.S.C., F.R.S. C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., Governor-General of Canada Charles A. Boulakia, B.Sc., M.Sc., LL.B., MBA Jock Fleming, B.A. HONORARY VICE PATRON Debora E. Barnett Foster, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, OC OOnt, Jennifer Murphy, B.Sc., Ph.D. Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Linda M. Vranic, B.A., P M.Ed., Ph.D.

Julielynn Yee-Ching Wong , B.S., M.D., M.P.H. OFFICERS OF THE INSTITUTE Deborah B. Zamble, B.Sc., Ph.D. President: Helle Tosine, B.Sc., M.Sc Russell W. Zeid First Vice-President: Peter Love, B.A., MBA ADVISORY BOARD Second Vice-President: TBA Ronald Pearlman, B.Sc., Ph.D. Secretary: Ken Yoon, B.Sc., LL.B., M.B.A., C.A. Bruce Gitelman, B.Sc., M.B.A. Treasurer: John W. Johnston, Ph.D. Michael Smith, B.A., M.A.

What We Do

The Royal Canadian Institute has hosted free lectures about science for over 100 years. Our lectures are aimed at anyone who is interested in science. Twice a year, we provide events for children in partnership with organizations such as Let’s Talk Science.

In 2014, with the pro-bono help of two senior business leaders, Joe Martin from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto and his colleague Sandy Aird, we took a good look at the Institute’s relevance in the modern age. Two MBA students, Chelsea Omel and Jason Visscher, undertook research and interviewed over 15 Canadian thought-leaders for their input and ideas for the future of RCIScience. The resulting report provided a solid foundation on which to build the Institute’s future.

In 2015, we are more than just free science lectures. RCIScience is a platform for public engagement with leading scientists to foster and expand science dialogue in communities. Our platform online, in formal talks, informal discussions and in print, provides access to leading science for all Canadians.

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How We Do It A. Our Program

RCIScience hosts more than 25 events a year, including public lectures for general audiences and youth and featuring leading scientists, most based in Canada. We work in partnership with other science organizations and universities to obtain speakers for our events.

We webcast most of our events, with support from York University, thus providing

global reach for our program.

We host an annual Science Dinner with 25 researchers each hosting a dinner conversation.

B. Our Funding Revenues Expenses Membership, $7,205 Donation, $27,740

Fundraising, $66,578.90 Investment Income, Program, $84,085 $143,846.70 Sponsorship, Admin, $85,000 $70,849.40

Miscellaneous, $12,254 Sales, $19,011 Splits staff and resource costs into 3 categories in which the CRA requires charities to report spending. We spent $0 in the 4th category, political activities.

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Financial Stewardship

RCIScience enjoys an endowment from past sale of property. The endowment, budget-planning and reporting is overseen by a Finance Committee of RCIScience Council. In 2014-15, the Finance Committee sent out a request for proposals to manage the RCIScience investments. After interviewing four companies, the Finance Committee recommended that our investments be moved to CGOV Asset Management.

CGOV is an independent, Toronto-based investment company established in 1995. They invest more than $3 billion on behalf of private clients, foundations and institutions. In addition, CGOV maintains a foundation that gives back to the community.

In addition, a change to the Investment Policy Statement has allowed for more flexibility in our investment portfolio to respond to a reduction in returns on fixed income investments such as bonds.

We aim for a return of at least 4% on investments. What did we accomplish in 2014-15? A. Strategic Objectives: Broaden our reach, build new ventures, develop partnerships and expand membership:  Reached new audiences through special events at 4 new venues.  Formalized 5 new strategic partnerships, for a total of 15 to help grow our reach: UK Science and Innovation Network, David Suzuki Foundation, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Mississauga Centre, Life Sciences Ontario, and Science World BC.  Maintained strong relationships with our existing program partners: the Gairdner Foundation, the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Mississauga Libraries, Let’s Talk Science, the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Toronto Centre, the Italian Cultural Institute, York University, The University of Toronto and Ryerson University.  Grew our online presence through social media to more than 600 followers on Facebook and Twitter and with a refreshed website and webcasts, which expanded our 2014-15 lecture audience by more than 1500 virtual audience-members.  Undertook a review and analysis of our program to address lowered attendance (down by 26% from 2012) and stagnant membership, including surveying audiences and testing and evaluating different styles of events in new locations. Brought 8 recommendations to Council for immediate and future improvements to increase attendance and RCIScience membership in 2015-16.  From our Scholarship Fund, provided $10,000 in financial support to 2 students to help them pursue post- secondary studies in science. We were also honoured to provide a $1,000 bursary to an outstanding student pursing post-secondary studies in science in memory of our past President, Roy Pearson.  Developed the William Edmond Logan Award for outstanding contributions to the public understanding of science by an organization to be given out at the Annual Science Dinner.  Celebrated 165 years of lectures through short historical vignettes at the start of each lecture in 2014-15.

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B. RCIScience Foundations: Governance, Financial and Operational  Held a Council strategic planning session to revise the vision, mission and strategic objectives for the next three years. The Strategic Plan will be made available on the RCIScience website by September 2015.  Strengthened our governance through formalizing our policies and procedures according to best practices for not-for-profit organizations as defined by Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA).  Strengthened our financial stewardship through policies and investment management.  Increased 2014 Science Dinner of the Year support by $20,000 over the previous year.  Archived and prepared to move all RCIScience historic artifacts and papers to new spaces.

What do we want to accomplish in 2015-16?  Grow our audience, reaching out to new audiences through new programs and events.  Refresh our online presence to reflect our new mission and vision.  Increase our reach and raise our profile through new partnerships across Canada.

How can you help?  Be an ambassador for Canadian science! Attend RCIScience free events and, if you are not a member, consider joining. Bring your friends and spread the word!  Support RCIScience financially through a donation or planned giving. For more information, contact Kathy Carter at 416-977-2983.

416-977-2983

Executive Director: Kirsten Vanstone [email protected] Executive Secretary: Kathy Carter [email protected]

Charitable number: 1 3163 5286 RR0001

Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science RCI_Canada RCI Science

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Our Sponsors

Ridout-Maybee LLP  Harry Rosen Inc.  Celestica  Hospital for Sick Children

Our Program Partners David Suzuki Foundation National Sciences & Engineering Research Council Fields Institute for Research in Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Mathematical Sciences (Toronto & Mississauga Centres) Gairdner Foundation Ryerson University Italian Cultural Institute Telus World of Science BC Let’s Talk Science TRIUMF Mississauga Libraries UK Science and Innovation Network

Special Thanks Joe Martin, Rotman School of Management and his colleague Sandy Aird for their support in the development of the RCIScience strategic plan MaRS Ontario Power Generation Love Energy Consultants for administrative support University of Toronto for lecture space York University Office of Research and Innovation for support of our webcast program

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Royal Canadian Institute Audited Financial Statements 2014-15

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