Our Latest News

HandiBus Launches $4 Million Capital Campaign

Many Faces, Many Places

October 24, 2008
Calgary, Alberta

(Calgary) …Calgary HandiBus Association is pleased to announce a new 3-year, $4 Million capital campaign. The focus of this campaign is to raise the funds for bus purchases in 2009, 2010 and 2011 for a total of 50 new HandiBuses. Each new HandiBus costs $80,000.

For over 37 years Calgary HandiBus has been helping people with their special transportation needs. Helping our fellow Calgarians is our number one priority. We are on the road 365 days a year and provide approximately 40,000 trips each month. Every Calgarian must be given the opportunity to actively participate in our community and develop a healthy, well-rounded life – transportation being essential. Some of the people that use HandiBus have no other means of getting to the doctor, work, volunteering, groceries, or even to a restaurant with their family. Social inclusion is critical and it is what we help provide – no one should be held back or limited because of a disability.

Mobility and accessibility are real concerns for an expanding segment of our population – a segment that can become isolated without your help. With an aging and growing population, demand for our service is increasing. There are about 19,000 people registered to use our service. Today the HandiBus fleet consists of 133 specially equipped buses, all of which are donated by individuals, associations, corporations and foundations within our community.

The name of our campaign – Many Faces, Many Places – was submitted by one of the HandiBus drivers. This employee gets to see firsthand the Many Faces that we help every day and the Many Places that we travel to within Calgary.

For more information, contact:

George Penny
CEO & General Manager
(403) 276-8028 ext. 223

Marni Halwas
Fund Development
(403) 276-8028 ext. 280

HandiBus appoints new GM and CEO

March 10, 2008
Calgary, Alberta

The Board of Directors of Calgary HandiBus Association (HandiBus) is pleased to announce the appointment of George Penny to the position of General Manager and CEO effective April 1, 2008. George has a strong transportation background having held senior positions with Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, Gray Line West and Calgary Transit. George has a background in the military having spent the early part of his career holding increasing levels of responsibility with the British Army. He holds a BSc. in Mechanical Engineering.

Concurrently the directors wish to announce the retirement of Pat Pellegrino as General Manager and CEO of HandiBus, after a brief period of transition. Pat has held this position for more than 17 years and has been the guiding force in building HandiBus into the major provider of transportation services for Calgarians with disabilities. His energy, personal commitment and caring for this very special community has been an inspiration to all who have known Pat. We are all proud of Pat's accomplishments at HandiBus and wish him and his family well in his retirement.
HandiBus has firmly established its reputation for providing specialized transportation service for over 35 years. We provide approximately 1,800 trips per day serving the 19,000 Calgarians registered with Access Calgary, in addition to our preschool service for special children with disabilities. A staff of over 200 employees utilize a fleet of 135 specially equipped vehicles, providing 450,000trips a year. .

Calgary HandiBus is passionate about providing our customers with access to the community and promoting independence. We insist upon serving our customers with honesty and respect, care and dignity. We operate in a cost effective manner, where safety is never compromised. HandiBus is proud to strengthen our community and make a difference in people's lives.

For further information we invite you to go to our website at www.calgaryhandibus.com or contact Brent Kirkby, the Board Chair at boardchair@calgaryhandibus.com.

HandiBus' New Advertising Project

If you have seen the yellow HandiBus out in the community then you have seen one of HandiBus' latest projects. A pilot project was started by the Fund Development Committee of HandiBus to look into a new stream of revenue for bus capital through advertising using "Bus Wraps". This new revenue stream is not intended to replace our existing fundraising campaigns but to compliment it, and to add another way in which the community can become involved with HandiBus. Servpro Cleaning enthusiastically agreed to participate in this project by "wrapping" this bus with their colours and logo.

HandiBus is very fortunate to have our operating costs funded every year by The City of Calgary; however funds needed to purchase new vehicles are raised through donations from the community.

During this pilot project we will be collecting feedback from staff, Board, customers, donors and the public. This summer our Board of Directors will determine whether or not to continue with such advertising.

If you have any comments or questions about this project please contact Marni Halwas at mhalwas@calgaryhandibus.com or 276-2028 ext. 280.

Special Notice

Changes to HandiBus Stair Policy

Calgary HandiBus has always had a strong focus on safety. To reduce the risk of injury and increase the level of safety for both our Operators and for customers the stair policy has been revised. With the current policy Operators will assist a customer using a wheelchair (with a combined person/chair weight of 250 pounds) to go up five (5) stairs, or ten (10) if there is a landing midway to rest. This policy has resulted in injuries for Operators and customers due to slips, fall and strains. Effective September 1, 2006 the Operator will only be required to assist the customer up one (1) step plus the threshold/doorsill. This policy is also consistent with the majority of specialized transportation providers.

Chapters

Have you missed the bus? To receive CHAPTERS please call 276-8028 loc. #280 or email us at mhalwas@calgaryhandibus.com

Spring Issue, 2009

Winter Issue, 2009

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Annual Report

Annual Report 2008

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Sale of Retired Buses

To assist in our fundraising for the year, HandiBus is selling some of our fully accessible used buses. All funds raised from the sale of retired buses will go into a bus capital fund to purchase new vehicles that provide cost-effective and efficient transportation for persons with disabilities.

Each bus is well maintained, and all contain wheelchair lifts.

To view the vehicles or for more information please contact:

Ken McCarron
Manager, Fleet Services
Calgary HandiBus Association
Phone: 276-8028 @ loc. #254

Calgary HandiBus Association is a non-profit charitable organization serving the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities in Calgary.

Calgary HandiBus' "Doing it Right" Policy

This policy may also be referred to as our Whistleblower Policy.

All members of the Calgary HandiBus community are encouraged to report ("blow the whistle") possible dishonest or fraudulent conduct. An employee should report their concerns to a Supervisor or Manager. If for any reason an employee finds it difficult to report their concern to a Manager or Supervisor, the employee can report it directly to the General Manager or Audit Committee Chair.

Calgary HandiBus will investigate any possible dishonest or fraudulent use or misuse of Calgary HandiBus resources or property. Anyone found to have engaged in dishonest or fraudulent conduct may be subject to disciplinary action by Calgary HandiBus up to and including civil or criminal prosecution, or termination of employment.

Managers or Supervisors are required to report suspected dishonest or fraudulent conduct to the Audit Committee Chair or Board Chair. For more information about definitions, rights and responsibilities, procedures and contacts, please read the following.

Definitions

Reporter or Whistleblower: a person who informs a Manager, Supervisor the Audit Committee Chair or the General Manager about an action or activity which that person believes to be dishonest, fraudulent or against Association policy.

Baseless Allegations: allegations made without reasonable basis or which may be untrue. People "reporting" such allegations may be subject to internal disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment and /or legal claims by individuals accused of such conduct.

Dishonest or Fraudulent Conduct: a deliberate act, or failure to act, with the intention of obtaining, or assisting another to obtain, an unauthorized benefit. Examples of such conduct include, but are not limited to:

• forgery or alteration of documents
• unauthorized use of computer files
• fraudulent financial reporting
• pursuit of a benefit in violation of HandiBus' conflict of interest policy
• stealing or misuse of HandiBus resources (Examples: stealing money, stealing supplies or equipment, using shop equipment to fix personal vehicles, employees using the bus wash for their cars)
• authorizing or receiving payment for goods not received, services not performed or hours not worked

Rights and Responsibilities

Managers or Supervisors

1. Management is responsible for maintaining a system of controls which detect and deter dishonest or fraudulent conduct.
2. Management is required to report suspected dishonest or fraudulent conduct to the Audit Committee Chair or General Manager.
3. Failure by a Manager or Supervisor to report misconduct within the scope of this policy may result in disciplinary action against such Manager or Supervisor, up to and including dismissal.

Reporting and Handling of an Allegation or Concern

1. Reasonable care should be taken in dealing with suspected misconduct to avoid:
   • baseless allegations
   • advance notice to persons suspected of misconduct and/or disclosure of suspected misconduct to others not involved with the investigation
   • violations of a person's rights under law
2. Accordingly, a Manager or Supervisor faced with suspected misconduct:
   • should not contact the person suspected to further investigate the matter or ask them to fix the problem (Example: asking an employee to pay back the money stolen);
   • should not discuss the case with anyone other than the Audit Committee Chair, General Manager or a duly authorized law enforcement officer;
   • should direct all inquiries from any lawyer acting for the suspected individual to the Audit Committee Chair or General Manager; and
   • should direct all inquiries from the media to the General Manager.
3. Protection for those Reporting
   • Calgary HandiBus will use reasonable efforts to protect persons reporting a concern or allegation against retaliation, as described below. HandiBus cannot guarantee confidentiality.
   • Calgary HandiBus will endeavour to keep the identity of the person reporting the dishonest or fraudulent concern confidential, unless:
   1. the person agrees to be identified;
   2. identification is necessary to allow Calgary HandiBus or law enforcement officials to investigate or respond effectively to the report;
   3. identification is required by law; or
   4. the person accused of misconduct is entitled to the information as a matter of legal right, such as in certain disciplinary proceedings.
   • Calgary HandiBus employees may not retaliate against a whistleblower with the intent or effect of adversely affecting the terms or conditions of employment (including but not limited to, threats of physical harm, loss of job, punitive work assignments, or impact on salary or wages).
   • Whistleblowers who believe that they have been retaliated against may file a written complaint with the Audit Committee Chair or Board Chair.
   • A proven complaint of retaliation may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, against the retaliating person.
   • Protection from retaliation is not intended to stop Managers or Supervisors from taking action, including disciplinary action, in the usual scope of their duties.

Contacts

Questions related to this policy should be directed, in confidence, to the General Manager or to Audit Committee Chair, care of:

Calgary HandiBus Association
231-37th Ave NE
Calgary Alberta
T2E 8J2
Fax 403-276-1434


Confidential Telephone Voice Mail
403-276-8028 Ext 250 for Audit Chair
403-276-8028 Ext 223 for General Manager