Giving back: It’s all about free
An interesting story about volunteerism in the Globe and Mail. Dave McGinn dares to ask the question, “What’s in it for me?” Is he justified in doing so?
Dave McGinn, Globe and Mail
Know, however, that even people who oversee volunteer organizations say it’s perfectly acceptable if you look at it as a tit-for-tat proposition.”It doesn’t have to be something that’s purely altruistic,” says Ruth MacKenzie, president of Volunteer Canada. “It’s actually okay to benefit personally from volunteering.”
That can mean expanding your networking opportunities to get ahead at work or, say, scoring free access to golf tournaments rather than pay for the price of admission.
The allure of saving a few bucks is “a huge part of it,” says Ms. MacKenzie. “Here in Ottawa, we’ve got the Chamber Music Festival and Jazz Fest and the Blues Festival, and lots of people volunteer because they get free passes to the event. That’s okay.”
Full article on the Globe and Mail website: Giving back: It’s all about free
It’s all for the Blues
4,000 volunteers make music festival possible
TRACEY TONG | METRO OTTAWA
You’re at LeBreton Flats, enjoying Bluesfest. When you arrived, you parked your bike in the supervised bike parking area, showed your ticket and got a beer. Between performances, you recycle your cup, check out the silent auction and make an inquiry at the information booth.
Now picture this: none of this at the 16th annual Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest – one of the biggest music festivals in North America which kicked off last night – would be possible without the work of its 4,000 volunteers.
Full story on Metro Ottawa’s website: It’s all for the Blues
Rideau Canal Festival Volunteer Positions Available
“Now in its second year, the Rideau Canal Festival is a family-focused celebration, of one of our City’s national treasures: the Rideau Canal. Recognized by UNESCO as Ontario’s only World Heritage Site; we believe it is important that the community take pride in the value and intriguing history of one of our city’s most important historic assets. Our Festival is an Aim-for-Zero-Footprint celebration, those that come from near and far have the opportunity to celebrate our heritage in an environmentally friendly way.”
This year’s edition of the Rideau Canal Festival will take place from July 31 – August 3, 2009.
We are looking for volunteers, to make this festival happen! This is a wonderful opportunity to help us promote and to educate people on our heritage and the measures to a green environment, in and around the canal.
Volunteer positions are available now through the festival, to assist with everything from logistics and operations to our exciting Zero Squad, who will encourage visitors to recycle and compost throughout the event.
You can register to volunteer by visiting the Rideau Canal Festival website at www.rideaucanalfestival.ca/volunteer.html or by contacting volunteers@rideaucanalfestival.ca.
