Editor's note: I have just been informed today October 19, by Larry Sarbit, Harriet Berkal, Marsha Palansky and Elaine Berliner that their applications to become Board Members of the Simkin Centre have been rejected and they will not be recommended to be on the slate of directors put forth by the nominating committee. Since the Simkin Board is not reforming itself in any way, there will be no opportunity for these applicants to stand for election at the General Annual Meeting on October 26.
In a letter received by Berkal, the head of the nominating committee of the Simkin Centre wrote on October 19: "I wish to advise your application was placed before the committee and considered but your name is not among the slate of directors recommended by the committee."
The letter received by Berliner has the same wording.
Below are the applications of Elaine Berliner, Larry Sarbit and Harriet Berkal.]
September 17th, 2011
Dear Board Members,
My name is Elaine Berliner and my mother is presently residing at the Sharon Home/Simkin Center. Please consider this letter as an indication that I would like to be considered for a Board position. I am very involved already with the Sharon Home and feel I have a great deal to contribute.
I presently am employed by Browne and Co. for the last 10 years. I am an account manager and manage a portfolio of approximately a million dollars. I feel I am fiscally responsible, and will add value to this board in this respect.
But more importantly, 8 years ago, I started my own charity, and started it from nothing. I had no location, no funds and no volunteers. This is a soup kitchen for the homeless that runs on Christmas and Easter. We feed between 500 and 600 homeless. This has been a wonderful experience for me and I have learnt a great deal with this experience. I have learned so much with respect to attracting volunteers, to fundraising to organizing. I feel that all of these skills would be valuable assets for the Sharon Home/Simkin Center.
I also feel that since my mother resides in the Sharon Home/Simkin Center, I am very cognizant of the issues in the facility. I already volunteer my free time to activities within the Sharon Home. I am also presently working with Rabbi Rose on a presentation to attract volunteers, and we are hoping to present this to the synagogues and schools in the area to increase our base of volunteers, to put in place more recreational activities for the residents.
Please consider me for a Board position as my goal is only to improve this facility for our elderly within our community.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Elaine Berliner
*********
September 9th, 2011
Judge R.L. Kopstein
Nominating Committee
Simkin Board
Dear Judge Kopstein,
As my 60th birthday draws near, it is hard not to focus on what lies ahead in terms of health and our ever increasing, aging Jewish baby boomer population here in Winnipeg.
My position as a Mutual Fund Manager carries with it tremendous responsibility to look after others capital investments. Our most important role is to preserve their capital but also increase the value of their assets. The nursing home industry is in contrast to that as you have an ever-decreasing population with acute care needs which must be met. The common linkage in both scenarios is to respect and protect the “client.”
And that is why I feel compelled to submit my name for nomination as a Board Member at Simkin. I have been in the financial industry for almost 32 years and understand how important it is for a non-profit organization to make good use of their funding – especially in these hard times we find ourselves in.
I would come to the Board with strong business acumen and a sensitivity of a generation which founded our country as they settled here from far away. These individuals deserve the very best in health care that we can provide them with.
My father, Syd Sarbit, ran a small grocery store in Selkirk, Manitoba – one he took over from my Baba Goldie, both born in what was known as “Palestine” at the time.
They instilled in me a strong work ethic and a belief not to take things for granted in life. These strong individuals, served as my role models, to give back to the community, which has supported you.
Having run my own business and Board, I know what tasks lay ahead. Sometimes difficult decisions must be made in order to balance the books. But I also know that if one applies oneself, it is possible to be creative in achieving all goals without sacrificing that which is most important to us- the resident.
I also am very cautious before buying companies and do extensive research to see if they live up to my strict investment standards. I apply this discipline every day and appreciate how one needs to scrutinize the proper management of any organization providing a service. Accountability is what I look for in companies and I could certainly offer my expertise to the Board after having established a respected name in the financial community.
I therefore would like to submit my name for consideration to serve on the Simkin Board.
Respectfully,
Lawrence Sarbit
CEO and Chief Investment Officer
Office 204-942-2177 (ext 451)
Mobile 204-292-0497
Sarbit Advisory Services Inc
100-1 Evergreen Place
Winnipeg, MB
R3L 0E9
Phone 204-942-2177
Fax 204-774-4227
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September 8th, 2011
Judge Kopstein
Nominating Committee
Simkin Board
Dear Judge Kopstein,
Please consider this letter my official request to be considered as a candidate for nomination to serve on the Simkin Board.
My educational background consists of a BA in Labour Studies, graduating from the University of Manitoba in 1981. As the first graduate majoring in this area and minoring in Economics, I worked for a short period with The Manitoba Federation of Labour, upon completion of my degree.
My work history is quite varied and extensive including the following:
1.) Manager Seniors Programming -Employed via OFY (federal) grant for Fred Douglas Lodge Nursing Home two summers in succession – hiring staff to coordinate programs for residents.
2.) Manager of Student Manpower – operating office of 26 staff.
3.) Executive Assistant to CEO for the Minister of Transport
4.) Freelance Broadcaster for CBC and CJOB radio.
5.) Itinerary Coordinator for Premier of Manitoba
6.) Media Specialist in Communications for Manitoba Government – over 9 years.
7.) Chief Operating Officer /Creative Director of Sarbit Asset Management
(Mutual Fund Company) – 3 year term – supervising 23 staff / strategic
coordinator / production manager/new product development/
international award winning website design/coordinating operating
budgets.
8.) Transitional Coordinator – hired by Industrial Alliance Clarington to oversee contract and staff issues.
So as you can see, I have worked with the elderly directly, in addition to that I possess executive skills, which have won me awards in creating websites, coordinating national conferences, etc. The selection of qualified staff has been an integral part of many of my positions and I believe I have a very good track record in selecting appropriate personnel to respective placements. My work history includes working as a Board Member of Sarbit Asset Management, planning budgets and overall operational matters.
I wish to submit my name as a candidate for the Simkin Centre Board, as I feel that I could make a significant contribution to enhancing the lives of the elderly in our Jewish Community. Of course being the daughter of the late Rabbi Berkal, was an honor in itself, but it provided me with a solid basis of Jewish upbringing. As well, I along with my brother Harvey, respected our parents’ wishes to remain at home as long as feasibly possible and we cared for them in their own dwelling for over 7 years. In this time span, we hired a watercolor artist, violin teacher and mobile physiotherapist to stimulate our mother and father. I have an intense understanding of what it is to offer quality care to the elderly from my own personal experience in being a care provider to those who gave me life.
Respectfully,
Harriet Berkal
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