Annual Report 2008
Building on our strengths
The Society was created in 1993 by the Hudson's Bay Company. Its primary activity was to publish The Beaver: Canada's History Magazine. The Beaver has evolved since then, but remains committed to presenting authentic and accurate material in a form that invites participation and enjoyment. The subjects addressed, the use of illustrations, the ‘eye appeal’ of the covers, and the desire to tell stories that engage and inform are all reflections of the Society's ongoing mission — to popularize interest in Canadian history.
Last year was significant for us, in that it underscored the breadth of the programs we now support and deliver. The diversity of the initiatives, as set out in the President's Report, demonstrates our capacity to create programming that serves the interests of our partners and our audience.
As most of us are already too aware, market losses have constrained individual, foundation and corporate flexibility to invest further. Although not immune to these threats, the History Society has weathered the start of the storm well, thanks to the continued commitment of its members, and the tremendous partnerships we've established within the history community. Total donation revenues increased by 46 percent. Individual members responded even more generously than in prior years, increasing their total annual giving by nine percent.
The Board continues to balance the desire to experiment with new projects — which also requires new funding — with the need to protect the History Society's future in these turbulent times. We think we have the right balance between continuing what works well and pursuing new, but unproven, opportunities.
I'd like to thank the Board and the strong team of staff members who ensure our activities remain true to our mission.
— Mr. J. Douglas Barrington completes his term as Chair of the History Society in June 2009.
Helping history
History Society annual report
The History Society Board and staff have been carefully monitoring potential impacts of the current worldwide economic crisis.
Readers of our magazines may have read about the specific troubles affecting print media over the past year. The Beaver and Kayak are both heavily subscription-based, which means that we are not as sensitive to declines in advertising revenues as other titles. However, it also means readers must bear more of the revenue burden for the magazine, or else we're forced to cut costs. Ironically, The Beaver enjoyed a modest four percent gain in ad revenues in 2008, which we've reinvested in further editorial development. But Kayak is still very dependent on donation support to continue publication.
Outside of our publishing operations, significant government and private support enabled us to launch three new initiatives this past year, including the Vigil Project, the HBC Local History Grants Program, and Beaver Travel Tours.
We know that many of you face similar challenges and choices in your own philanthropy this year, but we hope the stories that follow help to reassure you of the significant return we all gain through your continued support of our mission.
“And in spite of this ... prime ministers give speeches, mayors give speeches, (and) history teachers are obliged to teach that the Queen chose Ottawa,” Dr. Saul says. “And by doing that, we represent ourselves as a minor colonial nothing, when in fact it was a very tough decision that had to be made and was made here.”
Celebrating Canada's stories with our youngest citizens
Kayak: Canada's History Magazine for Kids is one of few history resources produced for Canadians under the age of twelve. Distributed in print in English and French, and electronically to teachers, Kayak reaches over 36,000 households and classrooms, providing children with a valuable and entertaining resource.
Kayak's 2008 milestones:
- Awarded a second Parent’s Choice Silver Medal; selected as a 2008 Our Choice title by the Canadian Children's Book Centre;
- Magazine format grew to full comic book size;
- Articles licensed for curriculum use by Manitoba Education and by other publishing groups.
This article originally appeared in the June/July 2009 issue of The Beaver.