BILL C293 IS NOW LAW!!!
What is BillC293?
It's a bill that will ensure all of Canada's 0.3% GNI aid is attributed to programs that will alleviate poverty. Previously much of the funds went to Afghanistan and war-related issues.
This is amazing.
Why I'm especially excited:
EWB Canada sent 10 000 signatures to Parliament for supporting this bill.
2 000 of them came from the University of Windsor.
A quote from John McKay, Lib MP from Scarborough:
"Who can forget the Engineers without Borders who phoned me, literally out of the blue, and encouraged me and invited me to their conference and got behind this bill. It is so encouraging to see young, bright, vibrant, energetic people, our nation's future, get behind a bill such as this and give it their enthusiastic push."
This is a good start to my day. Now all we need is to honour our commitment to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and contribute 0.7% of our GNI...
"You don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!" Anne Frank
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Dollars That Don't Make Sense
It's been ages since I wrote in here.
I think now it will mostly be a venue for me to 'think out loud' with development and social justice issues.
Right now I'm reading Rights Revolution. It's by Michael Ignatieff and part of the Massey Lecture series on CBC. The book is divided into five sections and so far I've only read two. One thing that struck me in particular about the first section was talking about rights in society like religious affiliation, freedom of language, etc etc. This is all in a quest for fairness.
What makes us stop at economics? Specifically I'm talking about fair trade.
In order for governments to protect our rights of religious affiliation, language, cultural ties and all that good stuff we need a sound economic base. How can governments put money into schools, health care, and social problems when they have no money? Why do we stop at money? It's not as if we are taking away tons of profits from one group, we are simply ensuring that another group has sufficient means. This isn't Sherwood Forest.
The more I read the more I feel we are all about money. People are reduced to commodities. I think Marx had it right.
So now what?
To work on something from the inside: make ethical purchases. Know where your stuff comes from and who made it. Did they have decent working conditions? If you're paying 4.99 for a shirt it seems unlikely that the person who made it got a fair wage.
One thing that amazes me is we get so many products from China and yet I'm sure some people are not concerned with human rights in China. I'm sure some people don't know what's going on at all. I know I don't know everything, but I know there are lots of human rights infringements.
On a related note, there are popular bumper stickers in Windsor that read "Out of a job yet? Keep buying foreign." I don't see why the car is the exception to the not-foreign purchases. Where do their clothes from? Do they buy local foods? These things need to be considered...
From the outside: be compassionate. See people as humans and not commodities. Recognizes the similarities between another person (regardless of where they live or what they look like) and yourself. We all have the same needs and similar wants. It's about having enough, not an excess.
The more I read I also realize how important it is to be compassionate. Recognize that we all want the same basic things. Know that some of our actions (as a country or as individuals) can be negatively affecting people in other parts of the world. Empower yourself to make some sort of change whether it be buying fair trade, talking to your MP, writing to the government, becoming an activist, or becoming part of the committees that will change Canada's economic possibilities.
We all have a potential. There are lots of injustices in the world and we all ought to give some effort to one of them. People, animals, the environment...there are lots of options. And we all have something to give.
"If you aren't outraged by what's going on in this world, you aren't paying attention." Robert Fox, Oxfam
I think now it will mostly be a venue for me to 'think out loud' with development and social justice issues.
Right now I'm reading Rights Revolution. It's by Michael Ignatieff and part of the Massey Lecture series on CBC. The book is divided into five sections and so far I've only read two. One thing that struck me in particular about the first section was talking about rights in society like religious affiliation, freedom of language, etc etc. This is all in a quest for fairness.
What makes us stop at economics? Specifically I'm talking about fair trade.
In order for governments to protect our rights of religious affiliation, language, cultural ties and all that good stuff we need a sound economic base. How can governments put money into schools, health care, and social problems when they have no money? Why do we stop at money? It's not as if we are taking away tons of profits from one group, we are simply ensuring that another group has sufficient means. This isn't Sherwood Forest.
The more I read the more I feel we are all about money. People are reduced to commodities. I think Marx had it right.
So now what?
To work on something from the inside: make ethical purchases. Know where your stuff comes from and who made it. Did they have decent working conditions? If you're paying 4.99 for a shirt it seems unlikely that the person who made it got a fair wage.
One thing that amazes me is we get so many products from China and yet I'm sure some people are not concerned with human rights in China. I'm sure some people don't know what's going on at all. I know I don't know everything, but I know there are lots of human rights infringements.
On a related note, there are popular bumper stickers in Windsor that read "Out of a job yet? Keep buying foreign." I don't see why the car is the exception to the not-foreign purchases. Where do their clothes from? Do they buy local foods? These things need to be considered...
From the outside: be compassionate. See people as humans and not commodities. Recognizes the similarities between another person (regardless of where they live or what they look like) and yourself. We all have the same needs and similar wants. It's about having enough, not an excess.
The more I read I also realize how important it is to be compassionate. Recognize that we all want the same basic things. Know that some of our actions (as a country or as individuals) can be negatively affecting people in other parts of the world. Empower yourself to make some sort of change whether it be buying fair trade, talking to your MP, writing to the government, becoming an activist, or becoming part of the committees that will change Canada's economic possibilities.
We all have a potential. There are lots of injustices in the world and we all ought to give some effort to one of them. People, animals, the environment...there are lots of options. And we all have something to give.
"If you aren't outraged by what's going on in this world, you aren't paying attention." Robert Fox, Oxfam
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Stigma Free
Technically my obligation to blog is done with the end of class. I seem to have gotten a taste for it though, so expect a random post now and then.
Situation: I was at work yesterday and I was conversing with a friend and she was complaining about the fact that her friend kept bombarding her with facts about homosexuals. He has recently "come out" so he likes talking about his sexuality, not necessarily about sex, but just about gays and the culture. Cool, whatever. I mentioned how I was on Gay.com the day before and a profile question (in addition to age, height, etc) was the question "HIV status." That really just upset me because of the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and the fact that it is primarily gay men who are infected with the disease.
I thought my friend would share some of my indignation (I don't know why, maybe I was just hoping?) and all she said was how her friend told her that it was primarily white heterosexual women who were infected and transmitting the disease.
Her logic to that was because gay men "can't make up their frickin' mind" and decide who to have sex with and the only reason that women are infected with HIV/AIDS at all was because...well...I won't quote her on this one but I'll leave it with you that it had something to do with bestiality and monkeys. I'm sure you can piece it together from there.
This infuriated me.
It's not ONLY gay men who have HIV/AIDS.
They didn't get it from having sex with monkeys. (Yes, it is arguable that the disease came from monkeys in Africa because they have a similar disease however it is waaaaaay more likely they got it because they were hunting and ate the meat from an infected monkey or they were hunting, had a cut, and some of the infected primate blood entered into the hunters system.)
HIV-2 for example corresponds to SIVsm, a strain of the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus found in the sooty mangabey (also known as the green monkey), which is indigenous to western Africa.
One of the highest "groups" in Canada who are infected with HIV/AIDS are Aboriginals. This is primarily due to a lack of health care (for testing and treatment), drug use (transmitted through needles), and poverty.
After reading 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa (an amazing book) I learned more about people who become infected with HIV/AIDS and how it happened.
It's not just the gay men who are infected...
... it's the mother of 3 who's husband was unfaithful
... it's the couple who had unprotected sex
... it's the child who's mother was infected and she didn't know
... it's the child who's mother was infected and she knew but couldn't afford the necessary medication to prevent the transmission to her child
... it's the man who always had protected sex but when he and his friend were violently attacked one day he carried his friend's bleeding body to safety and, unbeknownst to him, his friend was infected and some of the infected blood got into his own wounds and he contracted the disease
If you are not infected by HIV/AIDS you are affected by HIV/AIDS.
This disease is all around us but remains invisible because most of the people who have it are across the ocean, are receiving medication (anti-retrovirals or ARV), or are suffering in silence because of the treatment they will receive from their peers and society. Their obituaries will not read "so and so passed away from HIV/AIDS." They will read "pulmonary infection," "cancer," or "tuberculosis." In developing countries especially, it won't even be realized that the cause of death was related to HIV/AIDS.
We are affected by HIV/AIDS because a generation of people, of human beings who's lives are just as valuable and real as yours or mine, are dying because we chose not to help. We chose to be silent. We chose not to give foreign aid. We chose profits from drug companies over progress in health care availability.
Religion also plays a part in this mess. Abstinence only education discourages pre-marital sex. As a result there is no discussion about protection for those who choose to engage in pre-marital sex. This is a lack of information that can cause serious consequences. Also, religious groups are the ones who most often fund HIV/AIDS prevention programs overseas. And when they only way people can receive funding is by promoting "don't have sex" instead of "refrain from risky sexual behaviour" that adds to the issue as well.
Stigmas are what hold progress back. If there is a stigma that HIV/AIDS only affects homosexuals then there will not be a broadened education about how to prevent transmission. People will continue to be discriminated against unjustly. Funding will never appear. And many, many millions more will have their lives cut short and live a painful existence.
Education is the only vaccine. Be HIV free. And be stigma free.
Situation: I was at work yesterday and I was conversing with a friend and she was complaining about the fact that her friend kept bombarding her with facts about homosexuals. He has recently "come out" so he likes talking about his sexuality, not necessarily about sex, but just about gays and the culture. Cool, whatever. I mentioned how I was on Gay.com the day before and a profile question (in addition to age, height, etc) was the question "HIV status." That really just upset me because of the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and the fact that it is primarily gay men who are infected with the disease.
I thought my friend would share some of my indignation (I don't know why, maybe I was just hoping?) and all she said was how her friend told her that it was primarily white heterosexual women who were infected and transmitting the disease.
Her logic to that was because gay men "can't make up their frickin' mind" and decide who to have sex with and the only reason that women are infected with HIV/AIDS at all was because...well...I won't quote her on this one but I'll leave it with you that it had something to do with bestiality and monkeys. I'm sure you can piece it together from there.
This infuriated me.
It's not ONLY gay men who have HIV/AIDS.
They didn't get it from having sex with monkeys. (Yes, it is arguable that the disease came from monkeys in Africa because they have a similar disease however it is waaaaaay more likely they got it because they were hunting and ate the meat from an infected monkey or they were hunting, had a cut, and some of the infected primate blood entered into the hunters system.)
HIV-2 for example corresponds to SIVsm, a strain of the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus found in the sooty mangabey (also known as the green monkey), which is indigenous to western Africa.
One of the highest "groups" in Canada who are infected with HIV/AIDS are Aboriginals. This is primarily due to a lack of health care (for testing and treatment), drug use (transmitted through needles), and poverty.
After reading 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa (an amazing book) I learned more about people who become infected with HIV/AIDS and how it happened.
It's not just the gay men who are infected...
... it's the mother of 3 who's husband was unfaithful
... it's the couple who had unprotected sex
... it's the child who's mother was infected and she didn't know
... it's the child who's mother was infected and she knew but couldn't afford the necessary medication to prevent the transmission to her child
... it's the man who always had protected sex but when he and his friend were violently attacked one day he carried his friend's bleeding body to safety and, unbeknownst to him, his friend was infected and some of the infected blood got into his own wounds and he contracted the disease
If you are not infected by HIV/AIDS you are affected by HIV/AIDS.
This disease is all around us but remains invisible because most of the people who have it are across the ocean, are receiving medication (anti-retrovirals or ARV), or are suffering in silence because of the treatment they will receive from their peers and society. Their obituaries will not read "so and so passed away from HIV/AIDS." They will read "pulmonary infection," "cancer," or "tuberculosis." In developing countries especially, it won't even be realized that the cause of death was related to HIV/AIDS.
We are affected by HIV/AIDS because a generation of people, of human beings who's lives are just as valuable and real as yours or mine, are dying because we chose not to help. We chose to be silent. We chose not to give foreign aid. We chose profits from drug companies over progress in health care availability.
Religion also plays a part in this mess. Abstinence only education discourages pre-marital sex. As a result there is no discussion about protection for those who choose to engage in pre-marital sex. This is a lack of information that can cause serious consequences. Also, religious groups are the ones who most often fund HIV/AIDS prevention programs overseas. And when they only way people can receive funding is by promoting "don't have sex" instead of "refrain from risky sexual behaviour" that adds to the issue as well.
Stigmas are what hold progress back. If there is a stigma that HIV/AIDS only affects homosexuals then there will not be a broadened education about how to prevent transmission. People will continue to be discriminated against unjustly. Funding will never appear. And many, many millions more will have their lives cut short and live a painful existence.
Education is the only vaccine. Be HIV free. And be stigma free.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
With eyes wide open
Yesterday, December 1st, was World AIDS Day. I was planning on doing a big post but time escaped me so we'll have to settle for one today.
I went to a World AIDS Day Gala Dinner at the University yesterday. It was hosted by WUSC (World University Services Canada), EWB (Engineers Without Borders), FAIR (Friends Aiding International Relief), and the Womyn's Centre. There were some displays on HIV/AIDS, a silent auction, and some pretty good food.
The keynote speaker was Andy. I forget his last name and I can't find it on the website. He was from the Masai Centre, located in Guelph, Ontario.
The Masai Centre is a community-based outpatient clinic offering holistic and compassionate care and treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS in Wellington-Dufferin, Grey-Bruce and Waterloo Region. They also have a connection with AIDS in Africa, especially in Lesotho. This is manifested with their Bracelets of Hope campaign.
In the spring of 2006 U Guelph launched its own campaign to support the Masai for Africa Project by making a commitment to raise $100,000 as their contribution to the $1 million goal. A cooperative of South African women was hired to make red and white beaded bracelets which were shipped to the University of Guelph and distributed on campus for a donation of $5.
One African woman can make 50 bracelets each day which earns her enough income to feed her children and the orphans in her care for two months and keeps these children in school for the same period of time. Canadians who purchase this bracelet help these women sustain their families and their communities while contributing to the Masai for Africa Project in its efforts to sustain and build HIV clinics in Lesotho and South Africa.
Andy talked a lot about the Bracelets of Hope campaign. It's estimated that if every Canadian were to wear (and purchase) 2 bracelets AIDS in Lesotho could be eradicated.
Andy hadn't always been involved in AIDS in Africa. He used to work in computers but he went to Africa and it changed his life. One thing he said in particular about AIDS struck me:
"I disregarded it because I could."
As shocking as that says it is completely true. We can flip the page, close the browser window, or shut off the TV. We have the luxury of worrying about other problems like school, what to wear, relationships and not about whether or not we will survive to see tomorrow.
Ignorance should never be an excuse. Knowledge really is power.
Find something you're passionate about and learn about it. And tell others what you are learning. Be change. Have a positive effect. Whether it's with poverty, environmental issues, equal rights, tougher regulations for copyright in media...anything. Find your passion and make a difference. There are lots of issues to choose from and many ways we can make a difference.
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
- Anne Frank
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
If at first you don't succeed...
Ever since I last posted (merely hours ago) I was thinking....why haven't I participated in Kiva yet? I should practice what I preach, right? And I've actually been waiting to post about microcredit and Kiva for a while.
So here I go!
When you go to the website you can pick a business by deciding what you want in regards to "status" "gender" "sector" and "region." I was a little shocked to see North America as an option for region but hey, poverty is everywhere. When I clicked on it I realized that they were all for Mexico.
After browsing and browsing I've finally settled on my group that I will lend money too. I have chosen Lovina. Here are some bits from their blurb on the website and why I chose them:
This group consist of ladies who are raising pigs. Three ladies were already selected to administer the group by coordinating everything that are involved with the group from money management and other activities, like: as Chair person, as Secretary, and as Cashier. In the past, the ladies in this Lovina Group raised their animals the traditional way, since they did not know how to raise pig the right and effective way, so that the results were not maximal. For that matter DINARI took initiative to help this Lovina Group so that they could get ahead in their business. Besides guidance, DINARI is also giving capital loan to each member in the amount of Rp1,400,000 (about US$154)/member, that afterwards were used to buy feedstock and feed for 1 raising season. With that guidance, and assistance from DINARI, the Lovina Group improves in their Group Management and activities, so that they are convinced to obtain better results in every member's heart.
Okay so really I just cut out one sentence...The things I like the most are that it's for women, they coordinate everything they're involved with, they raise pigs effectively, and they will get better results. It seems very effective and like it addresses the core issues. I'm in.
I chose to donate 25 dollars (the minimum but you can donate as much as 325) and proceed to the check out. Here I register, pay with my paypal account (to which I conveniently forget my user name and password. **aside** I have to retrieve them by entering my name, zip code and phone number. No problem, easy as pie. However, I mistype my phone number and don't realize it until I've been denied a good three times and notice I put a 1 instead of an 8...so after that I forget my password because I have too many accounts and emails that I can barely keep my head straight. Agh!!)
Finally I've donated! Success! After confirming everything I'm lead to a very anti-climactic page. It just says "Your Transactions." It's a little disappointing.
I click around and go to "My portfolio," they have a section called "my impact" and list some loan information. That's some pretty powerful rhetoric.
Okay, so after a good 15 minutes of clicking around it seems that there was some sort of glitch in the system (?) and though paypal has charged me 25 dollars I have not lent money to anyone. I click on "my loans" and it's blank.
What?!
Argh. Sorry Lovina, you'll have to wait. I have an angry email to send...
If you try this I hope you have more success!
So here I go!
When you go to the website you can pick a business by deciding what you want in regards to "status" "gender" "sector" and "region." I was a little shocked to see North America as an option for region but hey, poverty is everywhere. When I clicked on it I realized that they were all for Mexico.
After browsing and browsing I've finally settled on my group that I will lend money too. I have chosen Lovina. Here are some bits from their blurb on the website and why I chose them:
This group consist of ladies who are raising pigs. Three ladies were already selected to administer the group by coordinating everything that are involved with the group from money management and other activities, like: as Chair person, as Secretary, and as Cashier. In the past, the ladies in this Lovina Group raised their animals the traditional way, since they did not know how to raise pig the right and effective way, so that the results were not maximal. For that matter DINARI took initiative to help this Lovina Group so that they could get ahead in their business. Besides guidance, DINARI is also giving capital loan to each member in the amount of Rp1,400,000 (about US$154)/member, that afterwards were used to buy feedstock and feed for 1 raising season. With that guidance, and assistance from DINARI, the Lovina Group improves in their Group Management and activities, so that they are convinced to obtain better results in every member's heart.
Okay so really I just cut out one sentence...The things I like the most are that it's for women, they coordinate everything they're involved with, they raise pigs effectively, and they will get better results. It seems very effective and like it addresses the core issues. I'm in.
I chose to donate 25 dollars (the minimum but you can donate as much as 325) and proceed to the check out. Here I register, pay with my paypal account (to which I conveniently forget my user name and password. **aside** I have to retrieve them by entering my name, zip code and phone number. No problem, easy as pie. However, I mistype my phone number and don't realize it until I've been denied a good three times and notice I put a 1 instead of an 8...so after that I forget my password because I have too many accounts and emails that I can barely keep my head straight. Agh!!)
Finally I've donated! Success! After confirming everything I'm lead to a very anti-climactic page. It just says "Your Transactions." It's a little disappointing.
I click around and go to "My portfolio," they have a section called "my impact" and list some loan information. That's some pretty powerful rhetoric.
Okay, so after a good 15 minutes of clicking around it seems that there was some sort of glitch in the system (?) and though paypal has charged me 25 dollars I have not lent money to anyone. I click on "my loans" and it's blank.
What?!
Argh. Sorry Lovina, you'll have to wait. I have an angry email to send...
If you try this I hope you have more success!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Small loans. Big changes.
Money money money. It's one of those big problems. Something you hate to be tied to but can't seem to survive without it unfortunately.
I'm one of the very few students who are not plagued with the typical student debt that one must incur when pursuing post secondary education. I'm pretty lucky.
I've definitely heard all the horror stories of OSAP though and what a pain it is. I've made the mistake of lending a friend money. I've also begged my parents for a few extra bucks for a "really important" purchase. I've overheard co-workers stories of loans from the bank. And I've seen that episode of the Office where Michael gets locked into a crazy mortgage for his condo.
Loans come in all shapes and sizes.
And loans were changed forever in the 1970s with the Grameen Bank.
The jist of the Grameen Bank (GB) is that it was founded by Prof Muhammad Yunus to give impoverished people loans so that they can use it- along with their entrepeneurial skills- to move out of poverty. The loan is usually small and must be paid back.
GB provides credit to the poorest of the poor in rural Bangladesh, without any collateral. At GB, credit is a cost effective weapon to fight poverty and it serves as a catalyst in the over all development of socio-economic conditions of the poor who have been kept outside the banking orbit on the ground that they are poor and hence not bankable.
While I don't have a Kiva account it does seem like a good way to get involved in microcredit and changing someone's life for the better. While it is not without it's flaws there is a huge possibility for change. And you get your money back. If you're feeling adventurous (or generous) give it a try, and let me know how it works!
I'm one of the very few students who are not plagued with the typical student debt that one must incur when pursuing post secondary education. I'm pretty lucky.
I've definitely heard all the horror stories of OSAP though and what a pain it is. I've made the mistake of lending a friend money. I've also begged my parents for a few extra bucks for a "really important" purchase. I've overheard co-workers stories of loans from the bank. And I've seen that episode of the Office where Michael gets locked into a crazy mortgage for his condo.
Loans come in all shapes and sizes.
And loans were changed forever in the 1970s with the Grameen Bank.
The jist of the Grameen Bank (GB) is that it was founded by Prof Muhammad Yunus to give impoverished people loans so that they can use it- along with their entrepeneurial skills- to move out of poverty. The loan is usually small and must be paid back.
GB provides credit to the poorest of the poor in rural Bangladesh, without any collateral. At GB, credit is a cost effective weapon to fight poverty and it serves as a catalyst in the over all development of socio-economic conditions of the poor who have been kept outside the banking orbit on the ground that they are poor and hence not bankable.
Most people who borrow from the GB are women. Women are also the most impoverished.
Yunus notes "Most distinctive feature of Grameencredit is that it is not based on any collateral, or legally enforceable contracts. It is based on "trust", not on legal procedures and system."
The tem for loans are microcredit. It is small amounts of credit that can make a huge difference in someone's life. With these loans people can buy supplies to make pots to sell, rent a store to sell their goods, buy machinery, or anything else that they will need to start a business.
The loans are not for short term needs but for long term gain. Money used to buy a kiln to make pots is more beneficial than buying food for the rest of the week.
Yunus was also the recipient of the Nobel Pace Prize in 2006 "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below."
Now for the coolest thing...YOU can get involved in microcredit personally!!
Kiva.org gets you involved in microcredit by allowing you to sponsor an entrepeneur.
You can go to the website, pick out someone to sponsor, get journal updates, and "as loans are repaid, you get your loan money back."
Kiva is also pretty big on transparency and they want you to know what's going on.
Microcredit/Microfinance loans have a higher payback rate than regular loans.Yunus notes "Most distinctive feature of Grameencredit is that it is not based on any collateral, or legally enforceable contracts. It is based on "trust", not on legal procedures and system."
The tem for loans are microcredit. It is small amounts of credit that can make a huge difference in someone's life. With these loans people can buy supplies to make pots to sell, rent a store to sell their goods, buy machinery, or anything else that they will need to start a business.
The loans are not for short term needs but for long term gain. Money used to buy a kiln to make pots is more beneficial than buying food for the rest of the week.
Yunus was also the recipient of the Nobel Pace Prize in 2006 "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below."
Now for the coolest thing...YOU can get involved in microcredit personally!!
Kiva.org gets you involved in microcredit by allowing you to sponsor an entrepeneur.
You can go to the website, pick out someone to sponsor, get journal updates, and "as loans are repaid, you get your loan money back."
Kiva is also pretty big on transparency and they want you to know what's going on.
While I don't have a Kiva account it does seem like a good way to get involved in microcredit and changing someone's life for the better. While it is not without it's flaws there is a huge possibility for change. And you get your money back. If you're feeling adventurous (or generous) give it a try, and let me know how it works!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Wining and dining your donors
One thing that has been on my mind lately (and will continue to be until the 23rd of this month) is Engineers Without Borders' Third Annual Wine and Cheese- Wine for Development. Cheese for Change.
The main goal of this event is to fundraise money so we can send a volunteer (a Junior Fellow) overseas in the summer months to complete a volunteer placement. This will enable them to experience the complexities of poverty and bring back that knowledge to Canada so that we can see how our actions in Canada affect those overseas.
The WC (wine and cheese) is an awesome night. The hall is decorated with photos from overseas placements, in Canada activities, and outreach events. There are tons of raffle and door prizes. And the wine and food abound! The wine is great, although there are some non-alcoholic beverages too. The desserts are mouth watering...
If that doesn't convince you then I don't know what will. I'm salivating just thinking about the delicious-ness.
Okay, enough dessert pictures...
(And here is my blog thank you to Canadian Bread Bakers who are phenomenal and donated this stuff.)
The night is pretty relaxed and fun. And educational! But not in the boring way.
We have a speaker who is a returned overseas volunteer. This year it's Holly, who was last year's JF (the summer student for whom most of the WC fundraises for). It's a nice look at the technical aspect of the project but also some fun cultural things. Holly will tell funny stories about the kids she met or a funny encounter at work. It's nice to see the human side of development and realize that people living in poverty are not miserable all the time.
We're also going to have Kimberly, an EWB National Office staff member. She'll talk about action and advocacy in Canada. It's nice when you can get both aspects (in Canada and overseas) to balance each other out. It makes the people attending feel like they really can do something.
So what does it take to make a successful event?
You should also have a team or committee that is working with you. Create a common goal, establish responsibilities, and keep in touch. Motivate and support each other for a good group dynamic and synergy.
It's also nice when you can get lots of your supplies donated. When the food, refreshments, door prizes, and/or raffle prizes are donated it eliminates a lot of stress (both mental and financial) on your team.
In my opinion the event needs to be fun. You can't have fundraising without fun! (Sorry that was really bad.)
You need to make people feel like they are contributing to something worthwhile. Make sure they know where the money is going and how it will be used. Also outline the benefits of the project/whatever you're fundraising for.
There should be good entertainment (whether the main speaker or not) and people should also be able to network and meet new people at the event or get some awesome food/refreshments to feel as if they are getting something out of it. Rarely will people give away money without hoping for something in return. Good refreshments, a great speaker, and some knowledge sharing is a great "thank you" for your donation and attendance at the event.
Fundraising events can also make people feel like they are contributing to a common goal. The people attending are donating money that will help be used in projects to alleviate poverty. They are directly contributing and that feeling can be just as sweet as the desserts.
This post has been more about fundraising for development than development itself. Sorry I've detracted a bit but I cannot get the WC off of my mind!
It's on Friday, Nov 23rd and should be an amazing night.
If you're inclined to attend tickets are $20 for students ($30 for professionals or $50 for a pair) and it will be held at the Masonic Temple on the corner of Erie and Ouellette at 7pm (doors at 630). Email me at uwindsor@ewb.ca for more details.
The main goal of this event is to fundraise money so we can send a volunteer (a Junior Fellow) overseas in the summer months to complete a volunteer placement. This will enable them to experience the complexities of poverty and bring back that knowledge to Canada so that we can see how our actions in Canada affect those overseas.
The WC (wine and cheese) is an awesome night. The hall is decorated with photos from overseas placements, in Canada activities, and outreach events. There are tons of raffle and door prizes. And the wine and food abound! The wine is great, although there are some non-alcoholic beverages too. The desserts are mouth watering...
If that doesn't convince you then I don't know what will. I'm salivating just thinking about the delicious-ness.
Okay, enough dessert pictures...(And here is my blog thank you to Canadian Bread Bakers who are phenomenal and donated this stuff.)
The night is pretty relaxed and fun. And educational! But not in the boring way.
We have a speaker who is a returned overseas volunteer. This year it's Holly, who was last year's JF (the summer student for whom most of the WC fundraises for). It's a nice look at the technical aspect of the project but also some fun cultural things. Holly will tell funny stories about the kids she met or a funny encounter at work. It's nice to see the human side of development and realize that people living in poverty are not miserable all the time.
We're also going to have Kimberly, an EWB National Office staff member. She'll talk about action and advocacy in Canada. It's nice when you can get both aspects (in Canada and overseas) to balance each other out. It makes the people attending feel like they really can do something.
So what does it take to make a successful event?
You should also have a team or committee that is working with you. Create a common goal, establish responsibilities, and keep in touch. Motivate and support each other for a good group dynamic and synergy.
It's also nice when you can get lots of your supplies donated. When the food, refreshments, door prizes, and/or raffle prizes are donated it eliminates a lot of stress (both mental and financial) on your team.
In my opinion the event needs to be fun. You can't have fundraising without fun! (Sorry that was really bad.)
You need to make people feel like they are contributing to something worthwhile. Make sure they know where the money is going and how it will be used. Also outline the benefits of the project/whatever you're fundraising for.
There should be good entertainment (whether the main speaker or not) and people should also be able to network and meet new people at the event or get some awesome food/refreshments to feel as if they are getting something out of it. Rarely will people give away money without hoping for something in return. Good refreshments, a great speaker, and some knowledge sharing is a great "thank you" for your donation and attendance at the event.
Fundraising events can also make people feel like they are contributing to a common goal. The people attending are donating money that will help be used in projects to alleviate poverty. They are directly contributing and that feeling can be just as sweet as the desserts.
This post has been more about fundraising for development than development itself. Sorry I've detracted a bit but I cannot get the WC off of my mind!
It's on Friday, Nov 23rd and should be an amazing night.
If you're inclined to attend tickets are $20 for students ($30 for professionals or $50 for a pair) and it will be held at the Masonic Temple on the corner of Erie and Ouellette at 7pm (doors at 630). Email me at uwindsor@ewb.ca for more details.
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