In 2025 we were able to increase community outreach, mature the Monday night meditation group in Bracebridge, offer some programs, and apply for charity status and grants despite also filling in for the absent chair for half the year. The charity status is pending and the centre is financially stable; the grants we hoped to get but did not would have enabled us to undertake some bigger projects like partnering with community groups and offering mindfulness training for free. We will persist in this effort.

 

There is greater awareness of CMM in the community and many requests come in for us to offer mindfulness training or participate in wellness activities. We will secure a grant in the future that will allow us to hire an administrator, so we have greater capacity to meet these requests.

 

Out of our strategic plan in November 2025, the main effort identified is to increase community outreach. Thanks to our vice chair and marketing person, Mandi, we had a table at quite a few events last year with our banner and rack cards. Each event brings new interest in our groups and programs. Most recently we had a table at the Parry Sound Mental Health Symposium and earlier in 2025 Mandi and Jiana spoke at the Rotary club in Huntsville. We also joined the Chamber of Commerce in Bracebridge and Huntsville.

 

Mandi is very busy also keeping our marketing consistent and maintaining the monthly newsletter. The monthly newsletter is a real achievement and we are grateful for Mandi's dedication to delivering this communication—the content of which people seem to really appreciate. Mandi also spearheads the book club along with Leanna. It was a great success last year and is running again currently. Our Film Festival, organized by outgoing treasurer Jiana, on November 21 showed The Eternal Song, an emotional account of indigenous displacement and wisdom around the world. It was well attended and the film was appreciated.

 

Both the Monday night and Wednesday night meditation groups continue to see new people as we spread the word of mindfulness. As the Monday night group grows we have introduced feedback forms, communication guidelines, and are working on creating a stronger collaboration among the leaders. We have a steadfast and fantastic volunteer in Anita, who facilitates many evenings especially when the leader is on Zoom. Members from both Sanghas attended Bill's retreat earlier this month near Orangeville. We hold as our banner, still, the vision of having a retreat centre in Muskoka.

 

The Founding Membership program has ended and rolled into the Patrons Circle. Original founding members retain their benefits and donation levels while new patrons in good standing will receive up to 15% off of eligible programs; their donations are up to $500. We are forever grateful to the founding members whose donations are the ground on which we built financial stability and increased our mindfulness outreach. Our current membership coordinator and board member, Christina, ensures that communication with our members is consistent and timely. We couldn't operate without her and them.

 

Some challenges remain, namely, retaining a bookkeeper and securing grants. Although Joan Ricard, our grant committee chair, stepped away from the board last year, we welcomed back Leanna. And now we welcome back John as incoming treasurer. A huge thank you to Jiana for her role as treasurer the past five years. She has been essential to CMM in more roles than just treasurer. Much of our administrative and technological infrastructure is due to her efforts. The Introduction to Mindfulness programs she ran many times has been the main feature of our programming. Jiana has been an essential driver behind CMM and she leaves a palpable void for the rest of the board and new Treasurer to step in and fill.
 

Thank you to our members, our volunteers and our board for all of your efforts and commitment to creating a more mindful and peaceful community and ongoing support of the Centre for Mindfulness in Muskoka.