If you can find an hour in your busy lives this Superbowl weekend, this documentary http://www.urbanophile.com/2012/02/02/from-naptown-to-super-city/ is definitely worth watching on the transformation of downtown Indy over the past 40 years. A Downtown focus, waterfront stadium, velodrome, pursuing a major league franchise, amalgamation…some very interesting similarities to recent debates/controversies in Hamilton. I found the stuff on the importance of and debate around the role of charitable foundations (particularly the Lilly Foundation) especially interesting. Enjoy!

It always amazes me that some of our most important public events often draw the fewest citizen spectators. Tonight I had the opportunity to observe the inaugural 2011/12 meeting of the Hamilton Wentworth District Public School Board. In addition to trustees, staff and media there may generously have been a handful of citizens to witness the election of Tim Simmons as the new Chair and Robert Barlow as Vice Chair (with thanks to Judith Bishop for her exemplary service as past Chair). The remarks of Chair Simmons and Director John Malloy were both blunt and inspired, calling on trustees to make bold decisions about the future of our public schools with a focus on students, innovation and equity. The decisions about school closings (and the opportunity for new construction) that will be taken in the year ahead will be profoundly challenging, but present an historic opportunity to reshape education for the better in Hamilton. As a community, we need to find ways to support and celebrate the courage to make the right choices for our children. I left the Education Centre this evening with a sense of hopefulness about the journey ahead.

Today I will be attending the annual Philanthropy Awards Luncheon.  Hosted by our local Association of Fundraising Professionals to celebrate National Philanthropy Week, the awards recognize the outstanding contribution of  individuals, groups and corporations within the Hamilton-Niagara-Halton region.

This year the corporation being honoured is Pioneer Energy LP.  Since opening its first gas station in Hamilton in 1956 under the leadership of Murray Hogarth, Pioneer  Energy has built a thriving national business. Pioneer recognizes that their business success is intrinsically linked to the health of the communities they call home which is why they are dedicated to giving back in multiple ways.  One important vehicle for their philanthropy has been the funds they established at Hamilton Community Foundation.

It has been our priviledge at HCF to work with the Hogarth family and other members of Pioneer Energy’s leadership team.  Their impact in the community has been profound and their personal and corporate commitment inspirational.

HCF management team driving home today after three whirlwind days of learning in Pittsburgh. The hilights were almost too numerous but a few deserve a reference. Dinner with my friend former Mayor Tom Murphy included a lively discussion about the audacity of the civic leadership with no money in the kitty purchasing 1500 acres of abandoned riverfront abandoned steel mills and the incredible political courage to float a billion dollar bond to build 3 stadiums and waterfront parkland. Meeting the extraordinary Bill Strickland and touring the amazing Bidwell Training academy and dreaming about Hamilton doing something similar for our most challenged kids. And last but not least meeting the founders of  the Pittsburgh Promise including Mark Roosevelt (Teddy’s great grandson) who have created a scholarship fund for every Pittsburgh public school graduate. Thanks to our great Hamilton group for coming because they believe, including our Board Chair Gary Warner, the Mohawk College group led by Rob MacIsaac, the City group under Joe-Anne Priel and Marc Ayotte from Hillfield. Lots of great lessons for Hamilton and work to do together upon our return.

A must read from your weekend Globe and Mail. Reinforcing the importance HCF’s work in this area.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/search/?q=brown+bag

As a charitable sector CEO, I am appropriately restricted from participating in any partisan political activity. But as a longtime political junkie and former Regional Chairman, I remain vitally interested in the the process and deeply concerned about our democratic deficits that go way beyond the ballot box. On the eve of tomorrow’s Provincial Election in Ontario, I wanted to share this Spec Column that I penned some time ago, remembering my friend and former Hamilton East M. P.P., the late Dominic Agostino. Dom always ensured that local elections were fun.  They aren’t quite the same without him. And please don’t forget to vote.

“It is said that God gave us memory
so we could have roses in winter.”

– George Will

I am sentimental by nature. With three children under
five, I get to witness the pure joy of Christmas through young eyes. But it’s
also a time of year to reminisce about those we’ve lost.

The period between Christmas and New Year’s triggers
in me memories of Dominic Agostino. Every year at this time, he would organize
what we referred to as Dominic’s Excellent Adventure. It was an annual night
out in Toronto. The guest list included five or six elected officials of all
stripes. The only qualification, Dominic insisted upon was a willingness to
endure some gentle teasing.

The evening started at Dominic’s apartment just off
Bay Street in the financial district. Martinis were served before a cab ride to
a local theatre. Dominic always chose a movie with a political theme to ensure
we were prepped for the discussion to follow.

After the film, the party proceeded to the Keg
Mansion. The objectives were simple: to consume lots of good food and red wine
and then to tell political tales long into the night. Sadly, it’s a tradition
that ended with Dominic’s untimely passing almost three years ago at the age of
44.

Cynics have said that if you want a friend in
politics, buy a dog. But Dominic rejected that notion completely. He collected
friends almost as assiduously as election victories.

I first met Dominic in high school. He played football
at Cathedral at the same time I was playing basketball at Westdale. By
coincidence, we both started our careers as social workers with the March of
Dimes. Working from the same small office on Woodward Avenue, we shared a
passion for politics and sports and became good friends.

A friendship with Dominic came with an added bonus:
the love and great cooking of his mom, Teresa.

You quickly realized that for the Agostinos, loyalty
to family and friends was compulsory. They insisted on providing help and
hospitality even when you didn’t need it.

Despite Dominic’s unfortunate attachment to the
Liberal party, I campaigned for him in each of his elections. That loyalty was
returned in spades, although when campaigning with me he sometimes muttered
about my Tory leanings. For Dominic, partisanship never came before friendship.

First elected to Hamilton’s Catholic school board at
age 21, Dominic remained an elected official for the rest of his life. He
climbed the political ladder from the school board to city council and then to
Queen’s Park. He surely would have made it to Ottawa had his career not been
cut short.

Dominic’s approach to politics was unique. He said it
was show business for ugly people and admitted he’d never met a microphone he
didn’t like.

He was a master at turning trivia into front-page
news, but you always knew that you were in on the joke and that on important
issues, Dominic would not disappoint.

Incapable of malice, Dominic was frequently subjected
to political ridicule and cruel whispers about his personal life. He invariably
responded with quiet dignity and a disarming smile.

Dominic’s relatively short life taught us many
lessons, not the least of which is the importance of civility in life generally
and in politics particularly.

He had the ability to disagree without ever being
disagreeable. This and his innate generosity allowed Dominic to make and keep
many friends from across the spectrum, both in and out of politics.

On New Year’s Eve, I toasted the memory of Dominic
Agostino. His was a life well lived.

Terry Cooke
is a former Hamilton-Wentworth regional chair. He is currently president of Cooke
Capital Corporation.

STORYID=200701021552341

Nope, nothing to do with too much ice cream. In a lively discussion of social purpose business in the US and UK, Tom Kelly  (U. of North Carolina)just described  the challenge that can occur when a social enterprise underperforms financially because of its social/environmental focus and becomes vulnerable to shareholder lawsuits.Interesting stuff at the Philanthropy and the Law Conference here in Winnipeg.

So I arrived in Winnipeg last night and as chance would have it the Jets were playing their first NHL game since the tragic departure in 1996. As a sports junkie I figured I had to take a shot even though the game was sold out and I had no ticket. I arrived at the start of the second period and the ticket wicket was closed and scalpers had gone home. Standing pathetically at the front gate I explained my situation to a kind ticket taker. Taking pity on me she got me a free ticket in Row#6 from a “friendly Manitoban”. I  then had a guy sitting next to me who was intrigued by my story buy me a beer and a hotdog. The last two periods produce a raucous 6-1 win for the Jets and the crowd sounded like they had just won a Stanley Cup. What a great city! Hope to do the same thing soon in the Hammer….