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Volume 4, Issue 12, December 2005
A TIME FOR GIVING Yes, it is that time of year again; a time when many people run around and buy gifts for all of those people who are part of the family and friendship circle. It is not only a time for giving but also a time where some of us expect to get as well. Unfortunately, I think that the concept of getting has outweighed the concept of giving. Let me give you a different concept of giving. Besides giving to your circle why not think of ways to give to people who don’t have that circle of givers. Or just can’t afford to buy for the ones they love. Brodi came up with a great idea that we are going to initiate this year. As many of you know our office is located in the Landmark Building in downtown St. Catharines. The building is seven floors and houses some 250 people. Brodi called our local food bank and asked them to bring a large bin to our office. She then sent out a flyer to every office in the building saying that we have this bin and will be accepting donations of food and clothing on December 19th and 20th. Part of our family still buys presents but part of us now take the money we would have spent on presents and gives that money to the food bank. In order for my granddaughter to understand the concept of giving rather than just receiving I take her to the grocery store and we buy food for other babies. Emily is just about to turn 4 and is now able to understand how wonderful this gesture is. We go together and deliver the gift. It has also become a nice bonding session between us. When our three month old grandson, Zachary is old enough, he will join us. There are many things that you can do in order to give at this time of year and it doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary. Give some time at the local “out of the cold” project. Give some time at your local shelter. Give some time serving food to the needy. Give some time volunteering at your favorite charity. Give a neighbour a helping hand with snow shoveling. Give food to the local food bank. Give cloths you don’t wear to someone who may need them. Give toys to the children’s charity. Give a candy cane to a stranger. Give a smile to someone who needs it. Give a visit to someone. Give a hug to someone. Give a call to someone who you haven’t talked to in a while. Give a prayer to someone who would appreciate it. Giving without any thought of what you are going to receive is the ultimate way to give. I think it is unfortunate when I hear people say that they have to spend $100 on “so and so” because that person spent that much on them last year. Give what you can. It is not the amount of money that counts. It is not the size of the gift that counts. It is not the length of time that counts. The fact that you gave is what counts. May you all have a very giving Holiday Season and may you all be blessed with a happy and peaceful New Year. Ted.
NOTE: We will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items and toys on behalf of Community Care on Dec. 19th and 20th at our office at 43 Church St, Suite 408. Everyone is welcome to stop by and visit us with their donation. For more information contact Brodi at 905-682-7380. SIDEBAR – By Pierre R. Ouellette Hon.B.A., LL.B.
Do you know what is one of the surest ways of improving upon your personal and professional performance in the New Year? The answer is actually quite simple - it is resolving to keep on learning! In that context we too often dismiss or discount the importance of actually attending conferences and workshops. Yet study after study tells us how important continuing education is to personal and professional growth. It is not only about getting an opportunity to consider new ideas and techniques. There is also a qualitative difference to go along with the quantitative difference in attending such workshops. It is so much more than just obtaining information. The process itself is so much more dynamic than merely keeping up with the literature. You are simply that much more likely to spring from one idea to another in the context of a workshop or seminar. The process just naturally lends itself to more creative brainstorming. I actually practice what I preach and do attend conferences and workshops. My own measure of a successful session is straightforward. If I can take away just one idea that I can implement right away then I feel I have found that golden nugget. But inevitably I discover many, many more such ideas! There are a surprising number of excellent programs offered in every local community. No matter how busy you may be you need to keep your eyes open for them. So if you are going to make one resolution for 2006, resolve to learn! REMINDER: JOIN US FOR OUR BUSINESS SEMINARS INCLUDING: Business Basics – Power Day………….…Jan. 25 Leading to Success (Leadership Skills)……Mar. 2 Collecting Your Accounts Receivable……Mar. 21 REGISTER TODAY! CALL 905-682-7380 FOR MORE INFORMATION
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE FROM THE MOURADIAN GROUP!! To find out how we can help you or your organization please browse our website: www.CooperativeAction.com |
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