|
|
|||||
|
|||||
| Path: Main Street : NewsWeek : Archive : NewsBytes : Article |
This is an archive of CharityVillage NewsWeek. To find a word on the page,
use your browser's "find" feature (CTRL-F or CMD-F). Please note: While we ensure that all links and e-mail addresses are accurate
at their publishing date, the quick-changing nature of the web means that some
links to other web sites and e-mail addresses may no longer be accurate.
To view other articles in the archive, use our Chronological Index.
NewsBytes: August, 2003
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Two Canadian aid workers killed in UN bombing
August 25, 2003
A suicide bombing last week at the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad killed at least 20 people. Among the victims of the blast were two Canadians: Gillian Clark, an aid worker with Christian Children's Fund; and Christopher Klein-Beekman, a program coordinator for UNICEF. "The people of Iraq and the entire humanitarian community have suffered an enormous loss today," said UNICEF executive director Carol Bellamy. "This is a tragic day for the entire United Nations family, but for the families of those lost and injured, it is even more tragic. Our hearts go out to them." At least two other Canadians were wounded in the bombing.
August 25, 2003
The inaugural Courtnall Celebrity Classic, held last month in Victoria, BC, far exceeded the expectations of its organizers - former NHL players Russ and Geoff Courtnall and their brother Bruce. Initially, the brothers hoped the golf tournament would bring in $100,000. Instead, stars such as Pamela Anderson, Kiefer Sutherland and Wayne Gretzky helped bring the total to $800,000. The funds will go to the Vancouver Island Health Authority for mental health services. The money will also help the VIHA move closer to its goal of building a mental-health stabilization unit next to the Royal Jubilee Hospital. For more information about VIHA, visit: www.viha.ca.
August 25, 2003
This year's AFP Canadian Leadership Retreat gave members a chance to examine the issues that are most pressing in their profession. The three primary issue areas identified were ethics and training, government regulation, and fundraising costs. Also mentioned were job mobility/turnover, aging of the labour force, integration of fundraising with other functions, large and established organizations vs. smaller and newer organizations, lack of diversity, work/family balance, and gender bias. While a range of concerns were discussed at the retreat, members indicated that their top priority was strengthening and improving the fundraising profession as a whole.
Fast Fact: Increased online donations since September 11th
August 25, 2003
A recent survey found that the majority of donors who give online are doing so because of effects related to the WTC terrorist attacks in 2001. Of the 1,500 people surveyed, 26% reported making donations online more often after September 11, 2001, than before. More than 70% attributed the change in their actions to September 11th. The report also pointed out that public trust of nonprofits declined from 2001 to 2002, though two-thirds of people continue to have some level of trust or confidence in nonprofits. -- Giving USA
August 25, 2003
Workplace giving programs offering alternatives to United Way campaigns are on the rise, according to a new report from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP). The study found that workplace giving alternatives grew 36% between 1996-2001 and made up 11% of all pledge dollars from donors in US workplaces. In 2001 alone, US employees pledged more than $222 million to alternative funds not connected to the United Way of America. In addition, the report revealed that a wider range of workplaces are instituting alternative fund campaigns, from industry, to large businesses, to the public sector. To view the full report, visit: www.ncrp.org/psr/publication.htm
August 25, 2003
While there seems to be no end in sight to the forest fires that are raging out of control in British Columbia, concerned citizens across the country are doing their part to help. Last week, the North Thompson Relief Fund surpassed the $1 million mark and donations continue to come in, with every cent going directly to help those who have been impacted by the wildfires. As well, Sun Life Financial donated $35,000 to the Canadian Red Cross BC Forest Fire Response. The Red Cross is appealing to the public for $1 million to provide for the basic recovery needs of forest fire victims in Western Canada. For more information or to make a donation to the Red Cross, visit: www.redcross.ca.
August 25, 2003
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is seeking nominees for a new award. The CMA Award for Excellence in Health Promotion recognizes individuals and organizations, outside of the health sector, who have made a significant contribution towards a healthy population. For consideration for this award, nominees must have contributed to the improvement of health through health promotion actions, initiatives, or increased public awareness. The deadline for nominations is November 30. For more information, visit: www.cma.ca
August 25, 2003
An Edmonton woman who is dying of pancreatic cancer donated $400,000 to a cutting-edge cancer research program at the University of Alberta - a program that may help future patients fight pancreatic and other incurable cancers. Ida Hoffman, who ran a successful contracting company for more than 20 years, began donating money through the University Hospital Foundation, after she was diagnosed with cancer in December 1999. "I believe in the research," she said. "I would like to see clinical trials going ahead without having to wait five or seven years. Maybe people sicker than me can be helped sooner." Her donations thus far have been crucial in helping hospital researchers to progress in their work. For more information about the foundation, visit: www.universityhospitalfoundation.ab.ca
August 25, 2003
Brits gave more money to charities last year than ever before. Donations rose to £7.3 billion in 2002 from £6.9 billion in 2001. Contributions from the general public accounted for approximately 35% of all charitable donations, with street collection tins being the most popular way to give. Women were more generous than men in supporting charities, giving a pound a month more than men despite earning less, in general. The average monthly donation was £12.93, a 4% increase compared with the previous year. Overall, about two-thirds of Britain's 60 million citizens give money to charity. -- National Council for Voluntary Organisations
August 25, 2003
The mission of the McCreary Youth Foundation is to advance the needs and issues of British Columbia's youth. Working in partnership with community and philanthropic organizations, government, and the private sector, the foundation plans to develop and fund programs and policies that can make a tangible difference in the lives of young people. Its first major undertaking is a project to address the issues and needs of commercially sexually exploited youth. This two-year initiative will provide funds to a range of community and academic partnerships and projects designed to provide solutions to this social and developmental concern. Details of application guidelines and funding criteria are available online. For more information, visit: www.myfoundation.ca
August 25, 2003
\World Vision Canada is warning Winnipeg residents to be on the lookout for a man going door-to-door posing as a World Vision volunteer. He has had a child with him on at least one occasion. The police have been informed and World Vision is reminding people that anyone collecting donations for the organization should have a proper donation form with its own number and it will be an original, not a photocopy. Donors are welcome to call the World Vision office at 1-800-268-5528 if they have any questions or concerns.
August 25, 2003
TransGas, the pipeline company of SaskEnergy, and nine natural gas producers are donating $27,000 worth of beef to be shared by community organizations in Swift Current, Herbert, Shaunavon, Maple Creek and Moose Jaw. The beef, to be distributed over the next few months as it is needed, comes exclusively from Saskatchewan-grown cattle. The Salvation Army Food Bank in Swift Current and the Hunger in Moose Jaw program are among those nonprofits that will benefit from the donation. Each will receive about 10,000 pounds of beef, or about a one-year supply for their food programs.
August 18, 2003
John Munro will be giving his arms and legs a well-deserved rest this week after spending 35 hours and 15 minutes swimming across Lake Ontario last week. Munro, 52, set out to raise nearly $80,000 during his "Y Knot Marathon" for the Kingston Family YMCA. His accomplishment makes Munro the oldest amateur swimmer to cross the lake and the first person to take the 56km route from Sackets Harbour, New York, to Kingson, Ontario -- the longest single crossing ever. For the full story, visit: www.amherstisland.on.ca/YKnot/
August 18, 2003
RCMP officers have called off their search for three people who went missing during a hiking and kayaking expedition in BC's Selkirk mountains. The trip was set up in conjunction with Montreal-based charity Leucan to help inspire young Quebec children with cancer.Quebecers Michel Bastien and Yves Laforest, and an unnamed French woman, went missing shortly after they started kayaking down the Incomappleux River. The kayak portion of the trip followed Bastien and Laforest's successful summiting of two meaningful local peaks: Mount Hope and Mount Charity. They had checked in daily during their climb with children at Vol d'Été, a summer camp put on by Leucan. The fourth member of the team, Martin Champagneur, was rescued by park rangers after swimming ashore when the kayaks overturned. Find out more about Leucan at: www.leucan.qc.ca
August 18, 2003
The Kindness Awards are now accepting nominations in several categories, including Kindness Heroes, The Best Company to work for in 2003, The Employee/ Co-worker of the year 2003 and Social Responsibility Company for 2003. The awards will be given out to celebrate World Kindness Day, Nov. 13, 2003. E-mail nominations to nominate@heartatwork.ca. For more information visit www.heartatwork.ca
August 18, 2003
They may have been tired but 760 cyclists were all smiles when they rode into Carleton University in Ottawa last weekend. It was the end of a two-day trek to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis. "It was a complete success," said Clare Gillespie, the executive director of the Ottawa chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Cyclists took an 85-km route to Kemptville, ON. For more information about the MS bike tours, visit: www.msbiketours.ca
August 18, 2003
The 22nd annual Fringe Festival started late last week in Edmonton with the opening of the TransAlta Arts Barns. With a boardroom, two studios and a large 450-seat multiform theatre, the facility is said to be one-of-a-kind in North America."This building will welcome the largest festival of its kind in North America and will unlock Edmonton's creative potential like never before," Fringe artistic producer Darryl Lindenbach told the Edmonton Journal. A fundraising campaign started in 1999 and private donations, businesses and governments contributed more than $8.52 million to build the facility. Find more about the Fringe at: www.fringetheatreadventures.ca
To mark the one-year countdown to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, MasterCard Canada made a $500,00 contribution to The See You In Athens Fund. The funds will help training and development of Canada's amateur athletes and organizers hope to raise $5 million in total for the fund. For more information, visit: www.seeyouinathens.com
August 18, 2003
The Folk Festival in Edmonton ended - another great success - thanks in large parts to volunteers. "The real heroes are the people who make salads for 900," said kitchen volunteer Marine Makowsky. A total of 230-odd volunteers cooked 550 pounds of freshly cooked salmon, 75 cases of chicken for kebabs, garlic green beans, parmesan rice and three varieties of salads. -- Edmonton Journal
August 18, 2003
The coordinating committee of the Alberta Social Forum invites activists, artists, members of civil society organizations, community groups and other progressive people to submit proposals for workshops, events, cultural and theatrical activities, panels, music, dance, etc., in the spirit of the World Social Forum and its charter of principles. The forum takes place in Edmonton, AB from October 17-19, 2003. For more information, visit: www.albertasocialforum.ca
August 18, 2003
Concerned readers of Homemakers Magazine prompted the publication to create the Give Girls a Chance fundraising initiative, in partnership with Tides Canada Foundation. The initiative, launched in the spring of 2002, is designed to help girls in Canada and around the world receive an education. Give Girls a Chance raised $100,000 last year and has distributed the donations to groups from Afghanistan, to Canada, and Zambia. For more details visit www.tidescanada.org/giving/initiatives.cfm
August 18, 2003
The Quebec provincial government announced last week that has set aside $10 million over the next two years to help tackle poverty issues in Montreal. The government will give $3 million this year to the region's boroughs to spend on local initiatives. It has also confirmed funding for many local community groups that have been waiting for budget confirmations since the spring. Employment and Social Affairs Minister Claude Béchard also said that a provincial strategy to reduce poverty is in the works for the fall. Find out more at: www.messf.gouv.qc.ca
August 11, 2003
After putting all of the CharityVillage job, volunteer, and event listings from July into the giant prize barrel and spinning it round and round, we're pleased to announce the winners of our July contest. We drew from more than 820 listings posted last month to celebrate the launch of our newly enhanced Volunteer Bulletin Board and Coming Events listings. The grand prize of a Palm m130 handheld PDA goes to:
Runner-up winners of a coveted CharityVillage.com briefbag are:
- Cathy Harris of Dalhousie University for her job posting "Director of Global Gifts"
- Jillian Ray of the Easter Seals Society of Ontario, Ottawa for her event listing "Investors Group Cup Easter Seals Regatta"
- Irene Thompson of the University of Guelph for her job posting "Alumni Officer, Chapter Development"
- Ana Garcia of North York Women's Shelter for her job posting "Fundraising Data Assistant"
- Susannah Howard of Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton for her volunteer listing "Public Education Presenters"
- Sharon Farrish of the Arthritis Society, BC and Yukon Division for her job positing "Special Events Coordinator"
- Carmen Boyko from the HIV Network of Edmonton Society for her event "AIDS Walk Edmonton"
Thanks to everyone who posted a listing on the site last month. Remember, volunteer and event listings are completely free, so stop in and promote your event or volunteer openings today.
August 11, 2003
With forest fires still raging in the British Columbia interior and regions of Alberta, organizations and individuals are stepping forward with help for those affected by the blazes. CanWest Global, London Drugs, and Telus employees donated time and resources to get truckloads of supplies to residents affected by the fires. Other corporate donations have come in from Weyerhaeuser, TD Bank, CIBC, Scotiabank and others.In Alberta, the Banff Centre invited audiences of the opera Filumena to donate money or food to help people affected by fires in Alberta's Crowsnest Pass region. The opera is set in Crowsnest Pass, and cast members also gave cash donations to the relief fund.
Late last week, the Canadian Red Cross started a $1 million fundraising drive to support recovery assistance for those affected by the fires in BC. Donations to the Red Cross B.C. Forest Fire Response Fund can be made by calling 1.800.418.1111, online at www.redcross.ca, or by visiting any Red Cross office.
August 11, 2003
Among the 109 new appointments to the Order of Canada were several well-known figures from the nonprofit sector. New officers of the order include: Sharon Capeling-Alakija for her leadership with the United Nations Volunteers program and International Year of Volunteers 2001; and Donald M. Deacon, who served as president of the Prince Edward Island Red Cross and as a director of the SmartRisk Foundation.
New members of the order include: Gordon Ronald Brown, the founding executive director of Canine Vision Canada; Anne Golden, past president of the United Way of Greater Toronto and current president and CEO of the Conference Board of Canada; Gary McPherson, a key player within the Alberta Paraplegic Foundation and the Rick Hansen Centre; Michèle Thibodeau-DeGuire, president and CEO of Centraide du Grand Montréal. For more information or a complete list of this year's recipients, visit: www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=1391.
August 11, 2003
For the third straight year, government spending on cultural activities and institutions rose again in 2000/01. Together, all three levels of governments spent $6.3 billion on everything from operating government departments related to culture, to financial assistance for artists and organizations in the culture sector. At the federal level, grants, contributions, and other transfers to artists and cultural organizations totalled $576.7 million in 2000/01, up 2.4% from the previous year. Their share of the total federal cultural budget increased from 14% in 1990/91 to 19% in 2000/01. However, federal grants and contributions for many cultural activities, such as museums, national parks and broadcasting, fell for the year. Grants to literary arts were up 27.2% to $132.2 million, primarily because of $26.5 million in federal aid for the newly established Canada Magazine Fund. -- Statistics Canada
August 11, 2003
A group of anonymous Vancouver businesspeople recently donated about $250,000 worth of rocking chairs, coffee tables and brass beds to Emerging Hope, an organization that works with low-income residents of the city's Downtown Eastside. "They bought an auction load of this stuff, thinking they could hire some people at minimum wage to put it together for them," explained Melita Thornhill, who is involved with Emerging Hope. She says that things didn't work out as planned for the buyers so they approached the organization to see if they would be interested in a donation. Since the furniture was packed into pieces for shipping and has to be put together, Emerging Hope will be employing local residents to assemble it, then sell off the results. For more information about the organization, visit: www.emerginghope.org or call 604-873-9025.
August 11, 2003
US Treasury Department guidelines on charitable giving, intended to prevent the diversion of funds to terrorism, are having a chilling effect on donations to overseas charities. According to a New York Times report, many US funders are considering cutting back on their international giving because of the stringent guidelines. Although voluntary, many organizations are wary of ignoring the guidelines, which recommend that donors collect detailed information on grantees, including the addresses and identification numbers of directors, key employees, and subcontractors, determine whether recipients' banks are involved in money laundering, and check that grantees do not employ or do business with groups or individuals on lists of known or suspected terrorists. While some of the major international funders such as the Ford Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation continue to maintain their levels of overseas giving, smaller organizations and corporate donors are reconsidering their programs. For example, Cisco Systems decided to suspend its matching gift program rather than investigate grant recipients.
August 11, 2003
The Sobey Art Foundation is calling for nominations for the 2004 Sobey Art Award. Established in 2001 by grocery magnate and fine-art collector Donald Sobey, the prize is awarded once every two years to a talented young Canadian working in visual arts. It is the largest award of its kind in Canada, with the winner receiving $50,000. The award is intended for a contemporary visual artist, but the foundation is extending this definition to include painting, sculpture, and printmaking, as well as other genres such as video, audio, and installation-based artwork. To be eligible, artists must be under 40 years old and have had their work displayed in a Canadian gallery. The deadline for nominations is September 1. For more information, visit: www.sobeyartaward.ca/about/default.html.
August 11, 2003
According to a new study, Americans give selflessly of themselves at least 109 times a year on average, with level of religiousness being the strongest determinant of how often people reach out to help. The first-ever national survey of altruism and empathy found that people who never attend church perform an annual average of 96 acts of helping others, while people who attend church weekly and take part in other religious activities report performing 128 acts of kindness. The study asked about 15 different acts of altruism, including talking with someone who is depressed, helping with housework, giving up a seat to a stranger, giving money to a charity, volunteering, helping someone find a job, or helping in another way, such as lending money. The survey revealed that acts of kindness consistently increased with the number of times people attended church and this was consistent across religious groups. -- National Opinion Research Center
August 11, 2003
The Salvation Army is removing its used clothing drop boxes from Brampton, Ontario this week because the organization can no longer afford the disposal and storage fees of garbage and unusable items left at boxes. "In the past 12 months, we have spent more than $40,000 in waste disposal," said Morris Samson, district director for the Salvation Army. "We can no longer justify spending that kind of money on picking up garbage and hauling it to landfill sites. This money needs to be spent on much needed programs for people who come for help." According to Samson, individuals and contractors are dumping kitchen and household garbage, stained furniture, debris from work sites, and even lawn cuttings at area drop boxes. "(We) appreciate what the community is doing to support the Army with their donations," said Samson. But, "some people have no idea what damage they are doing when they leave garbage at the boxes." The organization is also going to be more selective in the items it accepts through its pick-up service and store drop-off collections. To contact the Salvation Army in Brampton about donations or pick-up service, visit: www.toronto.salvationarmy.ca.
August 11, 2003
Goodwill from the recent SARS benefit concert in Toronto has spread to a Windsor charity that raises funds for city cancer facilities. Transition to Betterness will receive autographed drumsticks from many of the bands that played at the historic show to use for fundraising purposes. Tea Party drummer Jeff Burrows decided to collect drumsticks from the celebrities to help the charity. "I really hadn't done anything formally. I thought about going through management, but then I decided to just do it," said Burrows. "Everyone was more than courteous." For more information about Transition to Betterness, visit: www.t2b.ca.
August 11, 2003
Following an onsite organizational review, the United Way of the Fraser Valley has decided to discontinue its registration and referral services for volunteers and voluntary organizations after almost nine years in operation. The organization will continue to deliver related services under the "United Way Volunteer Leadership Services" program, including the Leadership Development Program and the annual Day of Caring program, as well as provide specialized volunteer support and training to volunteers that are directly involved with United Way. For more information about the UWFV, visit: www.uwfv.bc.ca.
August 5, 2003
Saskatchewan-born international banker William Shurniak announced plans to build a million-dollar art gallery in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. Shurniak, who now lives in Australia, has been travelling the world and collecting art for the past forty years and says he wants to share his collection with the people of southern Saskatchewan. "I thought, well, why not put something back into the community, and locate the gallery within the area that I grew up in," he said. The gallery will display his personal collection of Canadian and international art, as well as the works of local artists. The building will also be used as a recital hall for performing arts. Shurniak hopes to open the gallery by next spring.
August 5, 2003
The Canadian Progress Club Charitable Foundation is close to reaching its goal of creating a $1 million endowment fund that will be used to fund a national charity. The governors of the foundation are now accepting applications from charitable organizations for future support. Applicants must be registered charities that have operations in the majority of Canadian provinces, and provide training, rehabilitative services, programs and/or shelter for physically or mentally challenged people. The deadline for submissions is August 15. For more information, visit: www.progressclub.ca.
August 5, 2003
The Wayne Gretzky and Friends charity golf tournament wrapped up in Calgary last week, raising almost $400,000 for Ronald McDonald's Children's Charities. "It was great. The city was tremendous," said Gretzky. "(With) the community, the fans that came out and supported it, the volunteers who worked diligently on the course, it went better than we anticipated." One quarter of the money raised this year will go directly to the Calgary Ronald McDonald House, which is relocating to be closer to the new Alberta Children's Hospital. Since 1999, the event has raised more than $1,000,000 for charity. For more information about the tournament, visit: www.rmcc.ca/en/gretzky_golf.
August 5, 2003
A recent survey of 92 of the biggest companies in the United States found that in 2002 cash donations decreased at 53 of the 92 businesses surveyed. In addition, 53 of the 74 corporations that made estimates about their cash giving for 2003 said they expected donations to be frozen at 2002 levels or reduced. Despite the overall decrease, there were still some major corporate donations made in 2002, with pharmaceutical companies leading the way. Merck & Company topped the list by donating $58 million in cash, and drugs valued at $575 million. Pfizer followed with $69.7 million in cash and $528 million in product donations. Rounding out the list of top corporate donors were the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company ($369 million); Microsoft ($207 million); and Johnson & Johnson ($196.8 million). Wal-Mart Stores reported the largest amount of cash giving, with almost $136 million in grants. Only two other companies surveyed donated more than $100 million last year: Altria Group, formerly Philip Morris Companies, ($113.4 million); and the Ford Motor Company ($113.3 million). -- Chronicle of Philanthropy
August 5, 2003
The federal government announced last week that it will contribute an additional $1.75 million in humanitarian assistance to Liberia and neighbouring countries, bringing the total Canadian contribution to the region since last year to more than $8.4 million. The funding, to be provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will contribute to initiatives to assist displaced people and refugees. "Canada is responding to urgent humanitarian needs that are worsening with the escalation of violence in Liberia," said Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation. "The majority of Liberians are directly affected by the conflict and live in precarious conditions. CIDA's funding will provide health care, shelter, and safe water, as well as food aid to those in need." The money will be allocated as follows: $750,000 to the World Food Programme; $500,000 to UNICEF for emergency supplies; $300,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to protect civilians and restore family links; and $200,000 to Médecins sans Frontiéres (MSF). For more information, visit: www.acdi-cida.gc.ca.
August 5, 2003
A new joint report from UK-based NCVO and ACEVO, calls for a program to promote and sustain leadership skills within the voluntary sector. Leadership, Leadership, Leadership makes the case that the voluntary sector is failing to invest enough in the many people who possess leadership potential. It recommends the creation of a new body to research leadership, lobby and network to create new leadership development opportunities, and disseminate best practices. "Voluntary sector leaders are already adept at managing complex structures within their organizations, whether they are large or small," said Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO. "However, these skills could be lost if the sector does not fully invest in management and leadership development. With the establishment of a new leadership initiative this could go some way toward creating the right environment for future sector leaders." For more information, visit: www.acevo.org.uk.
August 5, 2003
With beef prices plummeting across the country because of the mad cow crisis, corporations are stepping up to help the Alberta cattle industry while also assisting provincial food banks. Direct Energy Marketing and the ATCO Group announced a $100,000 donation that will buy 50,000 kilograms of beef from cattle producers who've been struggling with a surplus of cows since Canadian beef was banned in 30 countries, including the United States. The beef will be distributed to 80 Alberta food banks. "This is going to help feed hungry Albertans all across the province and what better way to share this meat and to share the need," said Monica Brinck of the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. The donations will also keep beef moving through the system and enable more cattle to be processed. "We're hopeful that other organizations will come forward and help to keep it going," said Erik Butters of the Alberta Beef Producers.
August 5, 2003
This year's London MS Bike Tour attracted 600 cyclists from across Southwestern Ontario and raised a record $325,000 for multiple sclerosis research. "It's huge," said Lori Ann McNulty, senior manager of special events for the MS Society. "But we couldn't have done any of it without the help of the volunteers." More than 75 volunteers staffed stations between London and Grand Bend and helped the cyclists complete the course. "It's just a really great event. To see people come together and raise money for such a good cause," McNulty said of the cycling fundraiser, now in its 13th year. All proceeds support research and client services in the region. MS Bike Tours take place in communities across Canada throughout the summer. For more information about the tour, visit: www.mssociety.ca/en/events/biketour/default.htm.
August 5, 2003
Among those Canadians who say they have struck the right work-life balance, 70% of responses relate to factors about taking charge of one's own life through attitude or action. Factors cited include good time management, good planning, health or fitness, limiting time at work, not worrying about insignificant things, willpower, making the time, hobbies, etc. Only 16% of respondents mentioned factors related to their spouse or family, and 15% mentioned work-related factors, such as their work situation, flexible work arrangements, or supportive workplace policies. Among those who feel they have not achieved a work-life balance, women (26% of responses) were twice as likely as men (13%) to cite being too busy to be able to achieve work-life balance. Men, however, were more likely than women (48% versus 34%) to mention work-related barriers in general, inflexible working conditions, or unsupportive work policies as the reasons for not reaching a proper work-life balance. -- Women's Executive Network
August 5, 2003
The British government recently introduced a plan for charity reform that is aimed at cutting red tape, improving accountability, and updating the role of the country's Charity Commission. The plan includes a new legal definition of charity and those charities with less than £5,000 of income would no longer be required to register with the government. In addition, the plan calls for increased access to information about charities in an effort to build public trust, as well as more transparency in the Charity Commission. "The charitable and not-for-profit sector in this country is one of our greatest assets," said Home Secretary David Blunkett in a press release. "High levels of public trust and confidence are vital to its continued success, and its success is essential for the health of our democracy." For more information, visit: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=553.
August 5, 2003
While half a million people gathered last week at an historic SARS-relief concert featuring the Rolling Stones, several companies stepped forward with donations to help health and hospitality workers affected by the Toronto outbreak. Calgary-based, The Sovereign General Insurance Company, the insurer for the Toronto event, donated $50,000 to be divided evenly between the Molson Hospitality Employees Relief Fund, and the Healthcare Workers Fund. TD Bank Financial Group and its employees also announced a $25,000 donation to the Health Care & Hospitality Workers Relief Fund in support of employees most impacted by the SARS situation in Toronto.
|
|||
