Posted by: OSCA

OSCA and The OSCA Board

Vision: OSCA — At the centre of our vibrant and dynamic community in the heart of the city.

Mission: OSCA builds a strong sense of community and engages the residents of OOS through its various programs, services and activities.

The Old Ottawa South Community Association (OSCA) is a group of community volunteers whose goal is to make Old Ottawa South (OOS) a pleasant, fulfilling, and meaningful place to live. 

OSCA strives to improve quality of life in the community in a variety of ways, including:

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  • offering social events to strengthen community bonds and help neighbours get to know each other
  • providing educational, sports, fitness, and recreational programming to the community, including the enriching after-school programs that are so important to working parents
  • working actively to promote and protect the interests of the community with regard to planning and future development in and around OOS
  • ensuring that the community’s interests are effectively communicated to the public, City of Ottawa, and other governments and agencies whose activities may affect OOS
  • keeping the community informed about activities and opportunities of interest to the community
  • initiating new programs and policies from time to time to benefit the community

OSCA operates from the Ottawa South Community Centre, aka the “Old Firehall”, at 260 Sunnyside Avenue, where it holds most of its popular programs, various community and committee meetings, monthly Board meetings, and the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

OSCA is managed by a board of volunteers from the community, who form the OSCA Board of Directors and Executive. A variety of committees made up of interested OOS residents and Board members help run OSCA’s activities. There is a committee that manages OSCA’s program offerings, special events, and zoning, development and traffic issues.

In the early months of each year, the nominating committee seeks to identify members of the community who wish to be nominated for the following year’s Board. All OOS residents are encouraged to express their interest to OSCA, either by phone at 613-247-4872 or by email.

The activities of OSCA and the Board are governed by the Association’s Bylaws, policies approved by the board and standard operating procedures. The affairs of the association are subject to review each year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is held on the first Tuesday in May.

OSCA Monthly Board Meeting

The OSCA Board meets in the Community Centre at the Old Firehall at 260 Sunnyside Avenue on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Meetings are held from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The Board may not meet during July and/or August.

Issues such as new development, city planning, or activities at City Council that affect Old Ottawa South are discussed, and the committees present their monthly reports. Motions may be presented and decisions taken regarding actions the Association may take on these issues.

Interested members of the community are encouraged to come out to observe, or participate in, monthly Board meetings. To participate on a particular issue, send an email request to OSCA@oldottawasouth.ca before the Wednesday previous to the meeting and ask that you be added to the agenda as a guest.

Each month’s agenda is published on the website before the meeting so that OOS residents interested in the issues to be covered can attend the meeting if they wish.

All agendas, minutes, and reports are also published on the website when they become available.

The OSCA Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The AGM takes place on the first Tuesday of each May at 7:30 pm at the Old Firehall, 260 Sunnyside Avenue.

At every AGM, the President and the Committee Chairs present their annual reports, including the annual financial report. Other current business that members raise may be discussed, including any proposed changes to Association policies or bylaws. Then the nominations for the next year’s Board are presented and voted on by OSCA members, who are any OOS residents who are registered OSCA members.

Any OOS resident is welcome to attend, whether or not they are registered OSCA members. In fact, this is a good time to register and find out more about the community, especially if you are new to the neighbourhood.

Every year’s AGM is different depending on the issues of the day, but it is always interesting, and always concludes with a delicious wine and cheese reception.

So keep an eye out for the April OSCAR or visit this website for the year’s AGM announcement, and mark your calendars for the first Tuesday in May!