A friendly reminder
November 7, 2005
By Cam Tait
We all want to take care of our friends. It is, perhaps, one of the most noble things we can do, and a sign that we are a true friend. When we have successes we want to share them with our friends. When friends walk down a long, lonely path and need encouragement we come to their aid. A cup of coffee when a friend is forlorn can be the precursor to many things. We can slide the door open just enough so they can go through it and create their own opportunities. We take pride and much comfort in helping our friends.
But to what extent?
That question is whirling around Canada this week, like a cold winter wind gusting across a farmer's barren field. The Gomery Report was made public, confirming what many have suspected for some time. The report says the Liberal government lined its pockets - and those of its friends - with millions of dollars in tainted sponsorship money. We could go into details, taking our microscope through all 25,000 pages of the report, but what would that really accomplish, other than possible eye strain? So we won't.
We will, however, take a stab at what the report tells us in general terms. It really isn't a stretch of the imagination to connect the dots back to the nonprofit sector. Board members like to hire friends. Executive directors like to ask their friends to be on boards. Then, there's the business network and how we call our friends in when we need to do business.
There's nothing wrong with that. Absolutely nothing.
However, the Gomery Report offers a not-so-subtle reminder that doing business with friends is only honourable if it's done above board and in good faith. The report boldly suggests that the former Liberal government - with links as high as the Prime Minister's office - took advantage of funds. Above board? Not a chance.
The story becomes even more sour when we think of the type of money used for these questionable dealings. Taxpayers' money. Your money. My money. Funds that are supposed to be held in the utmost respect and trust by our elected officials. The money clearly wasn't theirs and was never supposed to be theirs, but they helped themselves anyway. And, if it weren't for a whistleblower, would it still be going on today?
We can't ignore this. We must digest as much as we can, even though it might be embarrassing to admit that the Canadian government is involved in such a scandal. We must learn from this, and somehow, some way, move forward.
For those in the nonprofit sector, who are charged with the responsibility - and the honour - of being stewards of other people's money, the Gomery Report can be seen as a safeguard, if you will. Never mind the bad press and the humiliation of several senior federal government officials. Falling from grace is, indeed, a shame.
We must continue to look out for our friends and help them whenever we can. We must continue to do business with them, too. And we must engage them in community activities that have the potential of helping many people. But we tread troubled waters as soon as we take advantage of our friends. We could drown if we get too generous with them at any level.
Let's be careful out there.
Cam Tait is a sports reporter and columnist for the Edmonton Journal. He covered community investments and volunteers for 19 years. E-mail Cam at cam@charityvillage.com with thoughts, suggestions or ideas.
Opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CharityVillage.com®.
