In mid 2003, NVO and CCP signed a memorandum of understanding to create a new organization for Canada’s charitable and voluntary sector. We took this important step with CCP for a number of reasons. The CEOs of both our organizations had, coincidentally, stepped down within months of one another. Prior to their departure, we had seen the overall landscape of the sector change in recent years and realized that Canada’s charitable and nonprofit organizations would benefit from a single organization to address their concerns. We were also very fortunate to represent two organizations with successful histories and solid relationships across the sector. The CCP and NVO offered an excellent base upon which to build a new and dynamic organization. After careful discussion, we signed a memorandum of understanding, began working on details of the new organization, and started a joint CEO search. Our vision is to use the strengths of both NVO and CCP to create an organization that can truly make a difference for the thousands of charitable and nonprofit organizations in Canada. We worked on these ideas throughout the remainder of 2003 while we were looking for a leader. Early in 2004, with our CEO search nearing a successful conclusion, we began the process to wind down the existing operations of NVO. By March 31, 2004, we had successfully wrapped up operations and the boards of both CCP and NVO had begun to work to build the new organization inside the existing CCP legal shell. NVO’s Board of Directors will continue to sit until March 31, 2005 to address any outstanding issues with respect to the organization. We hope to launch the new organization in the fall of 2004.