Page 4 - D17319 - LBMA - Jul-Aug 21 Reporter - Final - web optimized

Message from the CHAIR

the importance of being a volunteer

(Ron Schell is on leave at the moment. We have reproduced an article from past chair Ken Forbes. This was originally
in the Sep/Oct 2017 issue of the Reporter)

ken forbes learned the importance of volunteering at a young involved with all kinds of committees, community
Orillia Trim & Door, I age, as a way of giving back to the community. groups and boards.
Severn, ON As a youth, I was a cub and a scout with Scouts Volunteering has become a big part of my life. I
Canada. Over the years, I came to realize that most have made a lot of good friends, many who I wouldn’t
of the adults, leaders and administration people have met without getting involved fully in many
were all volunteers - That included my dad. Because organizations over the years. My association with
of his job, he couldn’t commit to be a Cub or Scout the LBMAO has been, and continues to be, very close
leader, so he worked to help organize camps, trips to my heart and has provided me with the chance to
and those dreaded fund raisers. These jobs - each as meet many good people I now call friends.
important as the other - helped to support the day-to- Over the past seven years, I’ve turned down many
day operation of the group. I thought that every cub’s requests from different organizations to help out as
mom and dad helped out; imagine how a volunteer so I could devote my time to providing
"I can't remember great that would have been. support for my mom and dad in their twilight years;
the first time I think the first time I realized that an honour I am glad I was able to provide. Back in
not all the parents helped was during January, after mom passed, I planned on stepping
I heard the our annual bottle drive (that was back back to have some “me time”. It wasn’t long before I
expression "10% when there was a deposit on almost all felt that something was missing; and I realized that
glass bottles). It was early on a Saturday (for me) volunteering is a big part of “me time”.
of people do 90% morning in late October. On cold and Statistics say that 13.3 million people are involved
of the work," but drizzly day, myself and three of my in volunteerism across Canada. While that represents
buddies climbed into my dad’s car and we one-third of the population, in reality the actual
it has resonated headed out to the first street. Dad would numbers are much lower, as most volunteers serve
throughout my drive slowly down the block while two of more than one organization, thus the saying “10%
us would go door-to-door down each side
of the people do 90% of the work”. It is a well-known
years of being of the street, picking up the bottles and fact that without volunteers, our Canadian way of life
bringing them back to the open trunk. would be quite different and things like our medical
involved with We made many trips back to the meeting system would grind to a halt. As an employer, I have
all kinds of hall to unload; then back to gather more always encouraged my staff to get involved and
bottles. have supported them with advice and sponsorships
committees, I think it was mid afternoon when a whenever possible. As our population continues
community groups car pulled up and one of the dads, looking to age, the need for more and more volunteers will
pretty angry, approached my dad and continue to grow.
and boards." started yelling at him about keeping If you are part of the 10%, thank you from the
his son out for so long on a nasty day. bottom of my heart; if you are part of the 90%, please
He also complained he was missing a football game give serious consideration to switching teams. The
on TV in order to pick up his son. Dad didn’t get reward of serving in any form will pay great dividends
flustered, he simply turned to the man and told him in your personal well being, while making a positive
if he would get off his ass and come out to help, we impact on others.
could all be warm at home, watching the game. The In closing, I just joined a team that is organizing
man didn’t have a response, he just grabbed his kid by the fundraising and build for a much-needed new
the hand and left. men’s, women’s and family shelter in Orillia. It feels
I can’t remember the first time I heard the great to be back!
expression “10% of the people do 90% of the work”,
but it has resonated throughout my years of being

4 LBMAO Reporter - July-August 2021 www.lbmao.on.ca