"ASK NOT WHAT.....

I bet everyone could finish that quote. It is one we have all heard on numerous occasions for different reasons. If your stuck... "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country".  This was paraphrased from an earlier speech but the meaning stayed the same when used in JFK's inaugural speech in 1961.  Far be it for me to be quoting an American President, but there are few other statements that carry the message I want to expel here.

I find the quote most useful when trying to address the issue of volunteerism.

I am a volunteer, it provides me a sense of purpose and fulfilment.  Each person's reason for volunteering is different.  Ask a person why they do it, and they will have a very personal reason in their answer.  As we come to the time in the year where volunteers are celebrated, I am here to ask more people to find the time to step outside of their comfort zone and volunteer. 

In the various events in St Albert that I have been involved in, one message has been heard time and time again.  "This is what St. Albert is all about.".  In order to keep the small town passion, and to keep these family oriented events going, we need more volunteers across all age groups.  The largest volunteer sector is the +55 age group and I applaud them.  They love their community and are willing to come out to help keep the spirit alive.

Today, I am writing this blog to the families in St. Albert.  It is up to the parents to set the example to their children.  Can you imagine if everyone in the community gave just 10 hours a year in volunteer time? 

Now, I know that I am being laughed at, I am laughing at myself.  What is true about volunteers that are currently involved is that they volunteer, on average, more than 5 times that and some, more.  More than they can afford really, but they do it anyway to fill the gap.  Imagine, if you will, that everyone else stepped up to assist with a small commitment for a day, a weekend, or a few hours a month.  What a difference it would make.

Although I am a part of The Spirit of St Albert Society, and you will see us asking for volunteers, we are not the only group.  For those of you who answer the SOSA call in the coming weeks, we thank you. 

For those who find a different organisation that they can relate to, and volunteer with, I thank you.  The message is the same, each of these organisations in St. Albert offers a lot to defining the community.   It's time that everyone helps write that story that will be told 100 years from now.  The story that talks of the amazing work completed at the hands of volunteers.  If there is a legacy that we want to leave our children and their children it is that St. Albert was build on the efforts of its community, it's volunteers.

I am a proud St. Albert Volunteer. Stand up and be counted and make the difference that each of us can make! 

To find out who needs help, visit St. Albert Community Information and Volunteer Centre at www.stalbertcivc.

To volunteer for the upcoming SOSA Baby Food Foodbank Drive (June 9th), Soapbox Derby (June 17th), or Annual River Valley Picnic (Aug 26th), email SOSA at info@spiritofstablert.ca

I just have to say it.....

WHAT A WAY TO START A BLOG:

My mother brought me up to believe that if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.  I want to take it one step further.  Instead of criticizing, make suggestion for change, be the change. Take the time that you spend criticizing the actions of others and make a contribution.

I am involved in St. Albert because I don’t believe that the city should be 100% responsible for delivering events, activities and charitable actions. They have their place to provide stability, but the community needs to come out and help be a part of the things that make us a great city.

SOAPBOX TIME (And not the race)

I believe that there is a place for opposing views to political decisions.  That is what makes for a healthy government. The personal attacks need to stop.  I am often embarrassed to read some of the things that make it out into the internet about our city, the half-truths, the quotes out of context.  That is not providing a respectful “opposing view” that is healthy and helps us look at decisions from all angles.  

Check your baggage at the door and take the time to consider why positions are held and actions taken.  I dare say that no one is perfect.  Not even those who profess to know better than most in their daily blog ramblings.

I personally applaud all members of City Council, Provincial Legislature and on.  Walk a day in their shoes, make the decisions they are faced to make with the information that they have.  Most of all, remember that at the end of the day, these people have given more than any of us to try and do right by our city.  I don’t agree with everything they do but I do respect that these people have given more than a 40 hour work week as their commitment and I chose to believe that they are working in good faith, believing in anything less is to say that there is a conscious action to destroy what is St. Albert.

 Do you want to make a difference?  Find an organization that you believe in and volunteer.  It doesn’t matter which group you support, it will make a difference.