Disability coalition votes to stay open for the time being

The Coalition of Persons with Disabilities (COD-NL) held a general meeting Wednesday night to decide the group’s fate. A motion was put to the floor to disband and close COD-NL doors as of March 31, but an unlikely amendment has given the group some hope.

COD-NL shocked many of its volunteers and service users earlier this year when it announced it may have to shut its doors. It said cuts to federal and provincial funding made it too difficult for the group to survive.

The meeting at its office space on Hamlyn Road was an emotional roller-coaster. The executive board laid out what it had attempted in the recent past to find a solution to its financial problems and stay open. Fundraising efforts were a big part of its initial efforts.

“We have peddled our souls,” said COD-NL President, Michelle Murdoch.

Members expressed both grief for the loss of the coalition and also their disgust at government for cutting funding. Cec Whitten poignantly summed up what the loss of CODNL would mean to him as he told the crowd how his wife had described it earlier.

“She said they cut out my vocal cords. Who speaks for me now?

“I have a voice and I have a backbone and I will use both,” he said.

Similar comments came from the room and conversation turned to what could be done. COD-NL has a five-year lease with Crombie Real Estate Income Trust (REIT), signed when the coalition was under the understanding that its funding would last at least that long. The real estate company has agreed to let it out of the lease if COD-NL can find somebody else to take the space. Another company has offered the group office space on O’Leary Avenue for $600 per month, a price much more affordable to the coalition.

Before voting on the motion began, COD-NL member, former St. John’s deputy mayor and local business man Ron Ellsworth put forth an amendment. Ellsworth said he would work with the coalition executive to find a solution to its financial problems. His amendment stated instead of voting to disband, the group should vote to try to get out of its lease with Crombie REIT, secure the office space for $600 per month and work with Ellsworth to form a long-term funding solution.

There was some talk about whether the amendment should have a time limitation. It was eventually agreed that while the amendment wouldn’t have a time limitation it would have structural limitations. If the group can’t get out of the lease with Crombie REIT, it was agreed it must disband. If it gets over that hurdle, it can move onto securing the cheaper office space and take things from there. A verbal agreement was made that even if it gets over these hurdles, but later finds its finances are still shaky, there will be no option but to close down.

It may be something of a Hail Mary, but the group’s spirits were obviously lifted by the possibility. There was some concern from a few members who felt that, despite that they would give anything to have the coalition remain active, everything had been tried and they were really just postponing the inevitable. When put to a vote, the count came in at 27-4 in favour.

For the time being, the COD-NL doors remain open.