This National Film Board short takes us inside the food bank in Timmins, Ontario, which opened in 2006 in response to the economic downturn and has seen registration go from 12 families to more than 1200 families. The film is part of the GDP series produced by the NFB as a year-long, interactive web project showing the human side of the economic crisis in photos and film. 5 min, 10 sec, 2009.
Inside the food bank
9 10 2010Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: capacity, children, community, food bank, hunger, mission, mission-driven, non-profit, poverty, volunteer
Categories : community development, EnMark Associates, poverty, volunteers
A Volunteer Says “Thanks”
29 09 2010I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
E.B. White
My professional consulting practice often inspires me and stretches me in unexpected but rewarding ways. I have been extremely fortunate to work with incredibly dedicated and talented individuals, and to be involved in cutting edge projects that truly do make a difference. In my volunteer pursuits, I look for opportunities to apply what I know in ways that are not inconsistent with my business life but that also allow me to expand my horizons and find outlets for my other interests. My commitment over the past few years to the Community Child Abuse Council of Canada has given me just that – and I have witnessed the organization’s impressive growth and resilience firsthand. I’ll be attending their Annual General Meeting today, and take this opportunity to thank them for facilitating one of the most satisfying and meaningful volunteer experiences I could ever wish for. The Council does what all mission-driven organizations strive to do…to attract and retain skilled and qualified volunteers whose contributions add strength to the cause and whose involvement satisfies in personal ways. The Council does this particularly well, and never forgets to appreciate, reinforce, recognize, and encourage its volunteers. Whether my task has been selling raffle tickets at a hockey game or writing a newsletter article, I am never unaware of how much my time and effort is appreciated. It’s been a fun and worthwhile investment for me, and I’m richer for it in so many ways. As the Council marks another year of accomplishments, I want them to know how much their attention to volunteerism is appreciated. Now if we could just find more money, help more kids, reduce that waiting list…
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Tags: child abuse, community, mission-driven, non-profit, volunteer
Categories : child abuse, community development, Karen Smith, volunteers
Thank a volunteer this Labour Day weekend
4 09 2010As we follow the news about Hurricane Earl hitting our friends in the east, and the quake in New Zealand, I am reminded of the many volunteers who will undoubtedly be springing into action to help out once the dangers have cleared. We are blessed in Canada with a volunteer workforce that not only responds when tragedy strikes, but contributes in countless ways to the very fabric of our nation on a daily basis. Many extend their services to faraway locales, and have been part of the efforts to make a difference in places like the Mississippi gulf area, Haiti and tsunami-ravaged communities in southeast Asia.
As you mark this Labour Day weekend, please remember to thank a volunteer. They don’t get paid for what they do, but they labour on our behalf nonetheless. And we are all better for their efforts.
For a fascinating and provoking discussion about the state of volunteerism in this country, check out the Graff-Reed Conversations and explore their groundbreaking revelations (Canada: Who Cares?) at www.canadawhocares.ca.
p.s. Kudos to the volunteers working hard at Burlington’s RibFest this weekend – from what I saw yesterday the rain hasn’t dampened any spirits and Rotary can once again look forward to a successful event.
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Tags: capacity, community, mission-driven, non-profit, research, volunteer
Categories : community development, EnMark Associates, research, volunteers
