From the office of the chief secretary: I am writing on behalf of the territorial commander to inform you of recent decisions from International Headquarters which impact divisional boundaries in our territory and have an influence on the ongoing assessment of the pilot project with the new divisional leadership structure in the Ontario Central-East and Prairie divisions.

Divisional Boundaries

The responsibility for our work in the northern territories - Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut - will be transferred to the Prairie division effective October 9, 2007.

Ongoing Evaluation

In discussion with International Headquarters, it has been determined that the pilot project in the Prairie and Ontario Central-East divisions will extend through to July 1, 2009 before any final decision is made or implemented.

The territorial commander will submit a report to International Headquarters on June 20, 2008 as part of our ongoing accountability to IHQ on this project.

As we move forward we will work to gather data to enable us to evaluate this pilot project from the following standpoints:

Finance - are we realizing the savings and economies of administration we anticipated?
Property - were the projections on property costs and property transactions we submitted to IHQ realistic? Are the savings materializing?

Preliminary results indicate that the answers to these first two questions are positive.

Seamless Administration - does the new structure facilitate a more seamless and unified approach to mission support between THQ and DHQ?
Accompaniment - do officers and executive directors on the field feel that support and accompaniment has improved?  We are working to establish ways of ascertaining that.
Program Initiatives - does a reduction in administration cost translate into any new impetus in program and mission?

We will keep you informed on the results of this pilot project as it develops.

Blessings,

Glen Shepherd
Colonel
CHIEF SECRETARY