GenNext United Way’s 6th Annual Spring Networking Breakfast

When: June 14th, 2012 7:30am sharp, doors open at 7:00am

Where: Carmen’s

Cost: $20 (includes admission, gourmet breakfast and door prizes)

GenNext and United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton have been very active in supporting local organizations in our community. This exciting breakfast will feature the distinguished speaker and journalist, Roger Gillespie. Roger is the Executive Producer for CBC Hamilton and will be speaking about young professionals leading change in modern media.

This event is sure to engage its attendees, with all proceeds going to support your United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton. All are welcome!

Call (905) 987-0007 or email jrees@uwaybh.ca for tickets.

New Standards Program for Canada’s Charitable and Nonprofit Sector - National Accreditation Program is one of the first-of-its-kind globally

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 – Imagine Canada launches its new Standards Program today. Designed to strengthen public confidence in the charitable and nonprofit sector, the program is one of the first-of-its-kind globally at a national level. It offers accreditation to charities and nonprofits that can demonstrate excellence in five key areas:

• board governance;
• financial accountability and transparency;
• ethical fundraising;
• staff management; and,
• volunteer involvement.

“Now, more than ever before, it is important for charities and nonprofits to keep the hard-earned confidence and trust of the public,” says Marcel Lauzière, President and CEO of Imagine Canada. “An organization that has been accredited through this program has demonstrated that it has put in place the policies, procedures and practices to make it a truly effective organization.”

The program focuses on foundational standards that are relevant for all charities and nonprofits. It does not include program or service standards that many organizations have already developed in areas specific to their work.

Imagine Canada is pleased to announce the first organizations accredited by the new Standards Program:

• Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
• Daily Bread Food Bank
• Food Banks Canada
• Frontier College
• Frontier College Foundation
• Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides
• Niagara Community Foundation
• Plan Canada
• Sarnia Lambton Rebound: A Program for Youth
• SickKids Foundation
• Tides Canada
• United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton
• United Way of Winnipeg
• United Way Toronto
• Vancouver Foundation
• Victoria Foundation
• World Vision

These organizations were part of a pilot group that helped to test and validate the accreditation process. Participants reported numerous benefits of going through the process including the opportunity to update critical policies and compare their procedures against leading practices.

Stronger Charities and Nonprofits

Accreditation is only one part of the Program. The Standards Program is equally designed to be a capacity builder by providing resources and opportunities to provide continuous learning and development for all of our country’s charities and nonprofits.

Marcel Lauzière further notes, “The information about how to comply with the standards as well as the tools and resources to help organizations continue to strengthen their governance practices is available free-of-charge. Our philosophy is one of open access, so that even if an organization does not wish to go through the formal accreditation process, it can still make full use of the program information to improve its practices in these key areas.”

Official Trustmark

Organizations that achieve accreditation will sign a licence agreement allowing them to use the program trustmark for five years. When Canadians see this trustmark on a charity or nonprofit’s website or fundraising and promotional materials, they can be confident that the accredited organization has successfully demonstrated compliance with the standards.

Compliance Process

For accredited organizations, compliance with the standards will be monitored via both spot audits and complaints-based investigations. Accredited organizations will have the right to use the Standards Program trustmark as a symbol that they have achieved accreditation.

Imagine Canada wishes to acknowledge the work of the Standards Council, Peer Review Panel and the many sector volunteers that helped shape the program. Further thanks go to our partner organizations Volunteer Canada and the HR Council for the Nonprofit Sector for their contributions to the development of the Standards Program.

The Standards Program is made possible with the financial contributions from founding and presenting sponsor Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life; funded by BMO Financial Group and The Printing House; supported by futureInnovate.net; and, friends KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.). 

Media release provided by Imagine Canada.

Over the next three weekends, The City of Hamilton (Public Works Division) will have compost available for a small donation to the United Way.

Suggested donations:   

• 5 gallon bucket/pail: $1
• Blue Box: $2
• Green Cart / Garbage Can:$5
• Trailer / Truck:$25

So here we are now, approaching the summer and preparing for the next campaign.

We are very lucky to have the support of so many amazing folks in our community, and at the moment I am working with one particularly amazing group – the team at Banko Photographic. Dan Banko is working with us to produce a number of our campaing materials and the other day I accompanied him as he took photos of a great group of women who particiapte in the YWCA’s Women Alive! and Employment Support Services programs (both funded by the United Way). 

I am excited to share our final 2012 campaign materials (August 1 – so stay tuned!) but until then, these behind the scenes shots will give you a taste of what is to come! 

Congratulations to SACHA’s volunteers who recently won the 2012 Ontario Victim Services Award of Distinction!

Please read the following media release for more information…

SACHA is thrilled to announce that our 24-hour Support Line volunteers are the recipients of the 2012 Ontario Victim Services Award. Ontario honoured those whose work helps victims of crime rebuild their lives in a ceremony at Queen’s Park today.

This year’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction honoured 13 individuals and three organizations for their exceptional dedication and commitment to helping victims of crime and their families, either through advocacy or the delivery of front-line services.

Since 1975, Hamilton’s Sexual Assault Centre has provided a 24-hour Support Line for survivors of sexual violence. It offers critical emotional support, information and referrals, including an escort to hospitals or police stations. About 90 per cent of these 24-hour telephone support services are provided by SACHA’s many skilled and knowledgeable volunteers, who collectively log an astonishing 8,500 hours a year. Volunteers also train and mentor new staff, serve on committees working to improve the program, and play a central role in governance and fundraising.

“In times of crisis, it’s critical that victims of crime and their families have someone to turn to and somewhere to go for help. These exemplary individuals represent just a few of the
thousands of dedicated and courageous volunteers, professionals and organizations working to make our communities safer, kinder places to live.” — John Gerretsen,
Attorney General

“The Office for Victims of Crime is honoured to bear witness to the accomplishments of these talented and compassionate award recipients, whose tireless dedication provides invaluable support to victims, and continues to make a positive difference in their lives.” — Ruth Campbell, Chair of the Office for Victims of Crime

CONTACT:
Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton & Area):
Lenore Lukasik-Foss – lenore@sacha.ca
Phone: (905) 525-4573 ext223

SACHA offers a number of programs and services, funded by the United Way of Burlington & greater Hamilton

Volunteer Posting – Office Assistant – Burlington

Planning for the 2012 CityQuest Challenge is about to get underway and we are looking to expand our working committee.  The date for this year’s event has been set for Saturday, September 22, 2012

Committee Meetings will be as follows:

• Feb to May = monthly
• May & June = bi weekly
• July to mid-August = no meetings – updates/communication electronically
• Week of Aug 20 until event = weekly

Meetings will take place at the Hamilton United Way office – 177 Rebecca Street at 5:30 p.m. (actual dates will be determined at first meeting)

If you and / or someone you know may be interested in the planning of this annual event, please email Janyce Robinson.

Message from Connie Smith, 2011 Hamilton Campaign Chair

What an unforgettable experience these past many months have been!

As a journalist, I have always been attracted to stories that inspire: stories of people who have overcome adversity, unimaginable obstacles and challenges to give hope to others.

In covering these stories I was most often led to the charitable organizations that are the first lines of defense when tragedy, or crisis strikes or need presents itself. After becoming involved with the United Way, I was astounded to learn that most of the programs offered by these organizations are funded by the United Way.

I have spent many hours, days and weeks visiting corporate board rooms, lunch rooms and plant floors not to mention fundraisers and special events where individuals from all walks of life and means have touched me beyond words with their compassion, unbridled determination and generosity. All along the way, teams of dedicated United Way volunteers and highly skilled staff have been there to lead the way and offer a helping hand, long after the end of most business days.

Perhaps most inspirational of all have been those in need themselves who have put their personal challenges aside to help one another.

Our goals to change poverty into possibility, help children be all they can be and empower healthy people to build strong communities are being accomplished because the Burlington and Greater Hamilton community understands the power of one. It is a lesson I will carry with me always.

Message from Rick Bashista, 2011 Burlington Campaign Chair

Each one of us is a vehicle for change and United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton unites us as we work together to bring change to the lives of children, individuals, families and seniors in our community.

2011 saw our two great communities of Burlington and Hamilton work together with one mission – to bring hope and change to those in-need – be it with a meal, shelter, companionship, clothing, counseling or healthcare.

The United Way has proven its sound business practices in all areas: goal setting, advertising, promotion and reporting, full transparency, commitment to staff and volunteers – all executed to create lasting change in our communities. This is an organization that is so well positioned to teach us business and life lessons for success. I encourage all involved to dig deeper and become more involved and for those that are not yet part of the United Way family – simply call us and find out how you can, ‘Give, Act, Volunteer.’

2011 was also a year of change for me personally. In honour of my Father, I went on to carry the United Way flag as this year’s Burlington Campaign Chair. My father taught me so much about helping others and for that, I thank him with all of my heart.

Now, at the end of the 2011 Campaign, it is obvious caring and compassion have reached new record levels in this community. I would like to thank everyone involved for all that you have done, and continue to do to create change in our community.

During the first period of the Hamilton Bulldogs game, the United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton announced the final results of their 2011 Campaign – $6,912,000 ($4,819,000 in Hamilton and $2,093,000 in Burlington).

Leading the celebration was Burlington Campaign Chair, Rick Bashista and Hamilton Campaign Chair, Connie Smith.

“The positive energy shown throughout this campaign by thousands of volunteers and donors in hundreds of workplaces throughout Burlington and Hamilton was inspiring”, said Bashista.  “It is overwhelming to see what can happen when people come together in support of the programs and services that are so vital to the health of our community”

“These past months have taken us into board rooms, meeting rooms, lunch rooms, into hospital lecture halls and on to plant floors”, said Smith.  “I’ve met CEO’s and corporate leaders who believe in social responsibility and walk the talk, union leaders and plant managers who galvanize their teams and co-workers around a cause, individuals on the street of all ages, from all walks of life and all means who step up to the plate with whatever they can, offering a hand to a stranger, asking only for a smile in return”.

“Without a doubt this campaign was a tough one.” said United Way Burlington & Greater Hamilton CEO, Len Lifchus.  “It was a combination of many things that impacted this year’s campaign.  We are very proud of our accomplishments and the fact that we are the only charity in Hamilton and Burlington that has consistently raised over six million dollars every year, over the past five years, to benefit the lives of over 200,000 of our residence. We are most grateful to Connie, Rick, their Campaign Cabinets, our Board of Directors and the thousands of workplace volunteers who gave so unselfishly of themselves.”