Behind the Numbers: How We’re Planning for the Future

I’m excited to be stepping back onto the MPI Ottawa Board of Directors as your VP of Finance. The last time I served on the Board, my role was finishing during the height of COVID-19, a time when our chapter’s budget was facing a significant deficit and uncertainty was the norm. It was a challenging period, but it also showed me the resilience and creativity of our MPI Ottawa community.

Fast forward to today, and we’re in a much stronger position. Thanks to years of careful planning, we’ve built healthy reserves, and I’m determined to maintain that strength while still delivering exceptional value to our members. It’s a balancing act; ensuring we have the resources to support programming, networking and education, while also safeguarding our chapter’s long-term stability.

Of course, challenges remain, interest rates and therefore our investment income, are unusually low, meaning we’re not hitting the targets we had projected for this fiscal year. At the same time, the costs of food, AV, and other event essentials continue to rise. We’re working hard to keep ticket prices reasonable so we can provide valuable, enjoyable experiences for our members, but we also have to remain financially responsible. It’s a tough line to balance, and one the Board takes very seriously.

In November, we’ll be holding our Board of Directors meeting at the new AC Marriott in downtown Ottawa. Over 1.5 days, we’ll collaborate and work toward our chapter goals. This will include reviewing the 2025 budget, assessing where we expect to land by year-end and working with the incoming Board to finalize the 2026 budgets. These sessions are critical to ensuring MPI Ottawa stays on track financially while planning for continued member value in the year ahead.

Our goal is simple: serve our members while ensuring MPI Ottawa stays “in the black.” That means every dollar we spend is carefully considered to maximize impact and member benefit.

I look forward to collaborating with the rest of the Board, our committees, and all of you to continue building a chapter that’s financially strong and full of opportunities for growth, learning and connection.

If you have ideas or questions about how MPI Ottawa manages its finances, I’m always happy to chat. Email Vice-President, Finance at vpfinance@mpiottawa.ca.

Together, we can ensure our chapter remains not only vibrant but financially sustainable for years to come.