Every day we go to work, do we live to work or work to live. I love my day job, it is challenging and makes me work hard to succeed. But the reality is that I work to live.
If I could make a full time job out of what I love, I would be working on SOSA full time. I love being involved in the community, I love even more to see the smiles on faces when someone comes to a SOSA event and leaves happy. Either from experiencing something for the first time, having fun doing an activity or just because they got out and took everything in.
In the months ahead, I will be fortunate enough to be a part of a great team that will deliver fun, exciting and family focused events. From a food bank drive for babies, a soapbox derby for fathers and their children to the annual picnic.
What I hope, and ask for, is for everone to think about what they can do to help make these great activities a success. If it is making a food bank donation, helping your child build their soapbox car, volunteering on the side of the track or coming to the picnic, each of these activities is important. Find your way, play a part and... yes, I know you have heard it before, help make St Albert THE great place to be and live!
If I don't get a chance to tell you on the trail, thanks for playing a part. It really does make a difference.
Cheryl MacKenzie, Chair
Spirit of St Albert
Thursday 24 May 2012
Friday 27 April 2012
Modelling, Mentoring and Responsibility
I have been stewing over this topic for the better part of a week. Trying to decide how to put my thoughts down so that people were not upset at what I had to say but took it to heart and thought about their next interactions with the youth in our community.
At a young age, children learn to Model their leaders, parents and other adults. What seems like a simple act to an adult is a roadmap to children. Today's youth have enough "Y's" in their roads. Our actions should be Responsible, Appropriate and good examples of how to act.
Now, why do I feel the need to dedicate my time to this topic? A couple of reasons really. I am not a parent, but I have spent many years volunteering for youth organizations, following friends to minor hockey games and generally just being out and about in the youth environment.
There are adults that should be ashamed that the example they give is applauding in a hockey rink when a child is checked to the ground and not getting up, yes, I have witnessed this. Is this REALLY why we send our children to the rink to play? Win at all costs seems to be the motto for those parents that have the next great NHL'er in their family. I believe in dreams and supporting our children with their dreams but there is a limit. Does it make the child feel better that their hit has injuried another child that may have the same dream? Probably not.
I witnessed another activity, a bottle drive. I have participated in many. We even encourage our youth to promote the drive weeks earlier so that they do not have to wake their supporters in the early morning on drive day. This notice often comes in the form of a flyer that can be attached to the donation. Clearly marked for the day, our children go out on their routes only to find others, often accompanied by adults, helping themselves to our donations. True, it is just a bag of bottles, but children have set goals and worked hard to achieve them. My issue is that the adults support the activity of taking something that is not theirs. What quality does this promote in our children. Now this is a small example and a relatively small one at first glance, but it has a lasting impression.
All I ask is that as a Mentor, Role Model and Responsible Leader, we set the right example.
Our children have great opportunities in front of them. We, as leaders in the community, have a great opportunity to support them. There is no "grey" when it comes to making the right decision and setting the right example, it is black and white. It is "right" or it is "wrong". Let's make an effort to be the Generation that sets the clear path to success with our children, they only want to make us proud, don't make it a difficult choice for them.
At a young age, children learn to Model their leaders, parents and other adults. What seems like a simple act to an adult is a roadmap to children. Today's youth have enough "Y's" in their roads. Our actions should be Responsible, Appropriate and good examples of how to act.
Now, why do I feel the need to dedicate my time to this topic? A couple of reasons really. I am not a parent, but I have spent many years volunteering for youth organizations, following friends to minor hockey games and generally just being out and about in the youth environment.
There are adults that should be ashamed that the example they give is applauding in a hockey rink when a child is checked to the ground and not getting up, yes, I have witnessed this. Is this REALLY why we send our children to the rink to play? Win at all costs seems to be the motto for those parents that have the next great NHL'er in their family. I believe in dreams and supporting our children with their dreams but there is a limit. Does it make the child feel better that their hit has injuried another child that may have the same dream? Probably not.
I witnessed another activity, a bottle drive. I have participated in many. We even encourage our youth to promote the drive weeks earlier so that they do not have to wake their supporters in the early morning on drive day. This notice often comes in the form of a flyer that can be attached to the donation. Clearly marked for the day, our children go out on their routes only to find others, often accompanied by adults, helping themselves to our donations. True, it is just a bag of bottles, but children have set goals and worked hard to achieve them. My issue is that the adults support the activity of taking something that is not theirs. What quality does this promote in our children. Now this is a small example and a relatively small one at first glance, but it has a lasting impression.
All I ask is that as a Mentor, Role Model and Responsible Leader, we set the right example.
Our children have great opportunities in front of them. We, as leaders in the community, have a great opportunity to support them. There is no "grey" when it comes to making the right decision and setting the right example, it is black and white. It is "right" or it is "wrong". Let's make an effort to be the Generation that sets the clear path to success with our children, they only want to make us proud, don't make it a difficult choice for them.
Saturday 7 April 2012
"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 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
Wednesday 4 April 2012
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.
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