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Tag: Board of Directors

Why I am hopeful this holiday

If everyday was Christmas
If we could make believe
If everyone would care a little more
There’d be harmoney

~ Hey Santa! by Carnie & Wendy Wilson

So our world leaders have come to an accord in Paris, France during COP21 – United Nations Conference on Climate Change. This gives me hope, though George Monbiot seems to disagree about that, with him thinking the politicians undermined the deal’s potential. Here in Barrie the temperature averages anywhere from 0 – 10 degrees celsius, and we still have no snow on the ground. Global warming, anyone?

I always enjoy a Christmas day with snow, it’s just a classic holiday for me. Not everyone celebrates Christmas. Some celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Winter Solstice, Festivus, and many other festivals this time of year. (Airing of Grievances, anyone?)

I am thankful for my friend Shawn who helped with the transition from our previous web host to this one, and for his help in installing our SSL certificate! (See the green lock in the left corner of your browser address bar? That’s new!)

I am thankful for Susan, Lucas, Stephen, Caitlin, and Craig, who are our board members! I am also thankful to Silvia, she knows who she is, and she’s super smart!

I am hopeful for good food, friends, and company. That’s what Christmas means to me. It’s a time to reflect, be thankful for what we have, and spend time with loved ones, and friends. To take the time out of our busy lives to play that board game, or enjoy a cup of hot coco (or if you’re my parents, hot apple cider.)

Finally, I am thankful each day for those who have chosen to support Journey to Diversity Workplaces. Without you, none of this would be possible.

On behalf of the board, I’d like to wish you Happy Holidays, and all the best for 2016.

Peter V. Tretter
President & CEO
Journey to Diversity Workplaces

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO8NYJ0bZ1c]

10 Surprising Reasons to join a Volunteer Board

Whether be our own board, or another I serve on, I have come to realize there are lots of worthwhile non-profits in our community, and many of them need good, quality volunteers to join their boards of directors.

Perhaps you might consider joining such a board. Or you know something else who may be interested. Here I present 10 surprising reasons to join a volunteer board.

  1. Professional development – Serving on a board looks great on a resume. But if you want to serve on a paid corporate board in the future, it’s a great way to gain experience. Both paid and volunteer board operate in the same ways.
  2. Enhancing your own personal networks – It’s a chance to meet new people, and network with others you may not have met before.
  3. Knowledge & skills – You can develop new knowledge and skills from various tasks you take on, as well as from the shared experience of your fellow board members.
  4. Active role in decision-making – Show you can setp up and lead.
  5. To have fun – Volunteer boards provide various outlets for fun.
  6. Increase one’s profile in the community in order to advance political aspirations – When running for political office, it’s always beneficial to have volunteer experience to show off.
  7. Giving back to your community.
  8. Productive use of time – Volunteering is a great way to use downtime, and serving on a board that needs your experience.
  9. Raising of standards – Serving on a board will help you appreciate where the bar should be, instead of where it is.
  10. New friends – In addition to making new networking contacts, it’s also a great way to make new friends people!\

We are always looking for new board members, and invite you to apply!

Profiles of Diversity -:- Lucas Woodcock

Lucas_Woodcock_2Profiles of Diversity is a series in which we profile in each post one of the members of our Board of Directors.

Today’s member is Lucas Woodcock.

Lucas is the Treasurer on the Board.

By day he is a team leader at a local call centre. Lucas says his greatest strength is the ability to analyze others, and to find their strengths and weaknesses.

Lucas’s most favourite hobby is playing board games. He enjoys interacting with people in person, but he also enjoys the occasional video game.

He got interested in Journey to Diversity Workplaces for two reasons:

  • Peter (the CEO) asked.
  • He thought it was a great idea, and wanted to help others find their workplace happiness.

    • Lucas’ greatest achievement is:

  • Personal & professional success.
  • That he has lived, and loved.
  • In 5 years, Lucas sees J2DW hopefully one of the ten largest organizations in Canada.

    • Email Lucas!

    Profiles of Diversity -:- Steven Bennett

    Steven BennettProfiles of Diversity is a series in which we profile in each post one of the members of our Board of Directors.

    Today’s member is Steven Bennett.

    Steven is Journey to Diversity Workplaces Vice Chair, and has been on the board since May 2014.

    Steven is a Disability Support Worker in his professional life. He says his great strength is adaptability. He’s always changing with the circumstances.

    His hobbies are sleep, work, and technology such as computers.

    He joined the Board of Journey to Diversity Workplaces because he is an advocate for workplace change, service, equal pay.

    His proudest achievement is working for Camp Hill.

    In 5 years, Steven sees us having a fairly good member base, and turning our vision into reality.
    Email Stephen!

    Profiles of Diversity -:- Caitlin Jermey

    Caitlin JermeyProfiles of Diversity is a series in which we profile in each post one of the members of our Board of Directors.

    Today’s member is Caitlin Jermey.

    Caitlin is the Secretary on the Board.

    Caitlin works in the field of Human Resources. Here greatest strength is interacting, and communications. Her hobbies are being in a Choir, on the Board of the same Choir, and going to the gym.

    She was interested in Journey to Diversity Workplaces because she wanted to volunteer her time towards a cause. Her proudest achievement is graduating from University, and in 5 years she sees J2DW having grown.

    Email Caitlin!

    A New Year of Volunteering

    Can you believe it? Today is already August 18th. In some places, kids have already gone back to school. In others, they prepare to return in the next few weeks. I can hardly believe this gorgeous summer is almost over!

    With the end of summer, and the start of school, comes a new year with the opportunity to volunteer. We all do it. Girl Guides, Scouts, Hockey, etc. The fall is a great time to start volunteering, and we would love for you to take the opportunity to volunteer with us!!

    Volunteering certainly is very rewarding, and most of this can be done from the comfort of your own home! It’s easy get get involved!

    We need volunteers for:

    • The Board of Directors
    • Committees
    • Recruitment
    • Graphic design
    • Fundraising
    • Copy writing & editing (especially for blog posts and library articles)
    • Community outreach
    • Admin/clerical
    • Promotion and Media
    • Photography and/or Videography
    • Translation
    • Nationbuilder website design
    • And so much more!!

    We would love to have you involved with J2DW this fall! We’re on an upward ascent, and we’d love to have you on board!

    How can you get involved? Apply online! It’s easy!!

    Thank you for reading today’s post, and I hope to see your volunteer application soon!

    Be sure to join us on social media!

    What are the benefits?

    What are the benefits of serving on a nonprofit board? 

    Most individuals who already serve on a nonprofit board need no outside justification for being a board member; they know perfectly well what they are doing and why they want to continue doing it. However, there are others who are too shy to join a board or who need someone else to tell them why it makes sense. Here are some reasons why people join nonprofit boards: 

    • They know their skills are needed. 

    • A nonprofit is going to improve and will benefit from their contributions. 

    • There is a possibility to effect change in an organization. 

    • They will feel good by doing good. 

    • They enjoy collaborating with interesting people who have the same interests and values. 

    • They want to learn new skills. 

    • They enjoy being recognized for their efforts. 

    • They want to give back to the community. 

    • They have found a new reason to live productively. 

    • They want to have an impact. 

    • It can be fun. 

    (Source: BoardSource.org)

    Consider joining our board today!