From the Editor's Desk

By Gary Nakamura
National Director Communications
  

April is here and thoughts turn to golf, gardening, hockey playoffs and warmer weather. Judging by the articles, it has been a very busy winter for many of the Progress clubs.  The number and quality of events are impressive and some are very innovative.  Through it all, having a good time while supporting charities and communities is definitely the underlying theme.  April 23 to April 29 is National Volunteer Week and pays special tribute to Canadian volunteers across the country who give of themselves to better their communities and the lives of others.

Non-profit and voluntary organizations, including Progress, have a major impact on Canadians, touching on virtually every aspect of their life.  In 2003, about 161,000 non-profit and voluntary organizations were operating across the country in a wide variety of areas.  Nonprofit and voluntary organizations, individuals and society as a whole benefit from the activities of volunteers.  Nearly all non-profit and voluntary organizations make use of volunteers, and more than half rely solely on volunteers to fulfill their mission. In 2003, Canadians donated more than $8 billion, and organizations reported a combined volunteer complement of more than 19 million who contributed more than 2 billion hours of volunteer time, or the equivalent of more than 1 million full-time jobs. A study in 2003 produced data that offered a comprehensive profile of non-profit and voluntary organizations in Canada. Details of the National Survey of Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations study can be found at:
www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/ 040920/d040920b.htm.

There are many benefits for the volunteers themselves.  The 2000 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating showed that over 70% of volunteers have said that their volunteer activities helped them with their interpersonal skills, and 68% said that volunteering helped them develop better communication skills. 63% reported increased knowledge about issues related to their volunteering.  The contributions made by Canadian Progress Club volunteers and other volunteers are a fundamental part of every community.  Every Progress member and club should be proud of their involvement in all aspects of volunteering.

Yours for Progress,
Gary Nakamura