Phillip Jeffrey, Jan Dawson, Diane Bédard, Loren Fantin

OLA Superconference, February 2, 2012Session # 407

After more than two years of seeking alternative funding strategies and not being able to secure a long-term future for the Knowledge Ontario vision, the Board decided to pursue an alternative strategy.

Our Executive Director and Communication Director took jobs outside of the library field in the Autumn of 2011.

Gap. Point. Reach. Inc.(GPR Inc), and the firm's Principle were hired to provide the Board with strategic alternatives going forward.

GPR Inc. developed a plan which was mindful and respectful of the users of the KO suite of services.

 In late December, the Board met and approved a number of objectives and actions.

Make every effort to preserve the service essence of Ask, Our and eResources for those who value them.

Find homes for Ask, Our and eResources where the chance of ongoing success is highest. Failing to find homes, make decisions about winding these services down which are in the best interest of all involved.

Disperse KO assets (money, equipment, intellectual property, etc) to stable or committed torch-bearers who will give best‐effort for ongoing support and operation.

Reduce the KO Corporation to a shell where the name can be transferred to another entity OR simply dissolved OR could sit with no activity for a period of time with minimal/base maintenance.

Honour existing obligations; take on no new ones.

Treat people on the right side of fair in this process.

Ensure corporate compliance and corporate record is 'clean‘.

Avoid legal costs wherever possible. Use letters of understanding and plain language documentation. Peter Rogers (KO Chair) to sign for KO with at least two witnesses.

The Board unanimously supported the motions in the areas of : Human Resources; Program; Financial Management and Administration.  

The Board has enough resources to meet all current obligations including continuation of AskON to the end of the current contract cycle; eResources throughout 2012; and Our Ontario to their exciting transition.

Remove 'big' pieces and then it will make the smaller pieces easier to see and work with.

Make sure 'new' partners know what they are involved with and the risks are clear. Will not be asking anybody to take on unnecessary corporate risk.

Our Ontario will transition to a new-focussed and dynamic Not-for-Profit. (February 2012)

AskON will seek a home inside of an existing partner organization. (Est. - April 15, 2012)

eResources and the ePortal will transition to a partner organization which can continue to hold together the coalition of cross-sectoral partners. (Est. – June 15, 2012)