Dear Members and Followers,
Some of you may have recently received an email or noticed on other branch social media pages that the Architectural Conservancy Ontario (ACO) is undergoing a reorganization. I would like to take a moment to explain what this means, why it is happening, and how it affects our Windsor/Essex Branch.
For many years, ACO’s structure required each branch to be audited separately, with the provincial organization covering the full cost of those audits. This model became increasingly unsustainable.
The decision to reorganize was made with great care. After serving on the Provincial Board for 12 years—and having attended nearly every provincial meeting—I have had a long-standing, comprehensive view of how the organization has functioned and why the previous structure was no longer viable. Over the course of almost a year, a Steering Committee, on which I served, met frequently, sometimes weekly, to explore options and develop recommendations. A smaller Transition Team manned by 3 Branch Presidents and two Executive Board Members, which I also joined, later refined those recommendations and brought them forward to the Provincial Board. In April 2026, the Board approved the reorganization plan.
Under the new structure, former branches will have the option to either affiliate or associate with the provincial organization:
- Affiliation will allow groups to become independent Non-Profit Organizations, paying a subscription fee to the provincial organization.
- Association will involve closing the branch’s bank account, with funds raised being managed and disbursed by the provincial organization.
The Windsor/Essex Branch has chosen to associate. This means we will become a committee of the Provincial Board. Importantly, there will be no visible change to our advocacy work or how we operate day-to-day. Details such as whether our name will change are still being determined. The only difference members may notice is that you will now be members of the Provincial Organization rather than a standalone branch.
I understand that this may come as a surprise to some, but it is truly a positive and necessary step. The previous financial structure was no longer sustainable, and this reorganization allows local advocates to focus fully on local heritage issues. Meanwhile, the provincial office—previously burdened with chasing financial documentation from all over the province—will be able to concentrate on broader provincial advocacy. The Provincial Board, once largely composed of Branch Presidents, will now focus on recruiting individuals with the skills needed to advance ACO’s mandate at the provincial level.
Programs such as the ACO Heritage Awards, Acorn Magazine, and other volunteer-led initiatives will continue. If you are interested in attending the Heritage Awards, it is shaping up to be an excellent year. More information is available at acoheritageawards.ca.
Thank you all for your ongoing support. I look forward to continuing our work together and to celebrating 100 years of the Architectural Conservancy Ontario in 2033.
Warm regards,
Tammy Dewhirst
President, ACO Windsor/Essex Branch
English (United States) 
English (Canada)