Kamloops: Volunteer City

April 27 to May 3 is National Volunteer Week, and it is more than evident that Kamloops volunteers contribute to every facet of life in Kamloops: health, safety, sports, arts, and culture to name just a few. The strength of our community comes from all of the great events and services that their time and commitment create.

As an example, last week, I attended the Rayleigh Waterworks District AGM and heard about one long term volunteer. Thanks goes to Brian Clack who stepped down after 34 years as a director on their board. That is an extraordinary length of service to the community. As with many volunteers, his work went on in the background, often unnoticed, but had huge effects on the quality of life for many others in our city.

It was also great to see the 35 people who came out to make important decisions about their community and that a full slate of directors was elected who are committed to keeping Rayleigh's water safe.

Last week, I was also part of a meeting of volunteers at the Aids Society of Kamloops. Led by SHOP coordinator Toni Pate, the group is planning a workshop by Children of the Street to teach youth and their parents how to avoid sexual exploitation. The BC Government and others identify sexual exploitation as one of the leading risk factors for young people becoming involved in the sex trade. A difficult topic to discuss, but well worth the effort to help give our young people the tools they need to stay safe.

On Saturday it seemed like everyone was helping at a community event.

Riverside Park and the downtown were full of energetic "Boogie the Bridgers". Kudos to Jo Berry and her great group of volunteers for launching Kamloops into spring with this great community building event. Giving people the chance to gather together for a common goal and have fun too is a great recipe for a strong community.

My friend helped all of Saturday at the Thompson Valley Pottery Guild spring sale at Heritage House. Meanwhile, the Kamloops Community Art Council hosted the "Boogie the Bridge Emerging Artist" show. There was even more creative energy over at the Kamloops Art Gallery who hosted a "U-Build Sculpture" event that was well attended by kids and their parents.

Meanwhile, I helped out at the St.Andrews on the Square booth at Volunteer Kamloops "Volunteer Fair". The SPCA, TRU's Radio-X, Kamloops Food Bank, Canadian Red Cross, Kamloops Society for Community Living, Desert Gardens Community Centre, the BC Wildlife Park and the Lions Club were some of the other groups at the fair. All were looking for people interested in volunteering with their organization.

The Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association's Spring Festival added to the energy downtown. There was great music, mascots, dancers and all sorts of other events, including Kamloops Society for Community Living's coffee house, with Art Pruce, Perry Tucker and other local musicians contributing their time.

On Sunday, I took part in the MS Walk for Life. Marcia Wilson, Cyndi Lion, and Ronnie Bouvier of Kamloops' MS Society chapter brought together a host of volunteers to set up the walk, provide food, collect donations. I was very impressed by the number of people who came out to this inclusive event to support MS research and support for those with this condition. It was evident that those who came out had a direct connection with someone with MS or perhaps had it themselves, and chose to use this event to make a positive change.

Not all events bring joy. On Monday, volunteers from the Kamloops & District Labour Council gave the community more sombre reason to gather, by organizing the city's National Day of Mourning service. Representatives from labour, all levels of government and WorkSafe BC all affirmed their desire to reduce worker fatalities and injuries. The most moving part of the ceremony was when individuals came forward to share their stories of loss of their father, their colleagues and their friends.

Volunteers contributes in some way to make our community stronger. I believe it is the role of City Council and the City of Kamloops to support as many volunteer based initiatives as possible, whether through direct funding or partnership, reasonably priced rental costs for facilities, endorsements of support or acting to bring groups together to work on a common goal. Each volunteer initiative serves a different segment of the community, but taken as a whole, they benefit all of us.

Another Sunny Saturday in Kamloops

Another sunny Saturday in Kamloops, and I was out and about as were many residents in Kamloops. All the true signs of spring: changing tire, walking around the downtown, visiting a garden centre, and attending a rally.



But first, a dog walk. At 7:00 am in the morning, my dog and I walked down to the river, between 10th and the Yacht Club. There was almost no one there. Just one other walker and the geese and ducks hanging out on the river. I am thrilled to be able to look as such a beautiful scene as part of my morning dog walks. It's clear why so many people signed the Save Public Waterfront petition in support of preserving Kamloops' public waterfront.



But all was not perfect in paradise. Picked up a few beer cans littered near a picnic table (a late night gathering of young people?). And on the way home, saw someone who looked like he was living hard (the British expression for being homeless or living on the streets).



By 8:00 am, I was at the tire store on Battle Street to get my tires changed. There was already one fellow who had been waiting since 7:30 am. We must have both had a premonition, because by the time I returned at 11:00 am to pick the car up, the lot was full of other hopeful tire changers.



It's amazing. One warm and sunny day, and we all know that winter is behind us. Pulling out of the tire store's parking lot, I saw three more fellows that looked like they may have slept under the stars.



From there, I went to my favorite shoe store on Victoria Street to pick up a sole (or two). While I didn't have a religious experience, I did have some interesting conversations.



The clerk in the store said that she would vote for me in November. In return, I asked her what was important to her. Number one was improving her sense of safety. She was concerned about the drug addicts on the downtown streets, and she felt unsafe. Having just been approached for some spare change, I knew of what she was speaking.

It is clear that we as a community can do better to meets the needs of both the people who are "living hard" and also support the business people who make our downtown one of the best in the country.

Homelessness is complicated. Last Friday, Louise Richards of Kamloops' Elizabeth Fry Society estimated that homelessness in Kamloops has likely increased by 18% since 2005. This based on similar data from Metro Vancouver. A booming local real estate market has both benefits and costs.

We can't classify all street people as criminals. Many I see on a regular basis have mental health problems. Others work hard picking up bottles and cans. Some are on a self destructive downward spiral of drugs and alcohol. Thank goodness there are places like New Life Mission that can help them when they start to climb up again. Meanwhile, those who sell the drugs victimize both those having a hard time getting through life and the business people who are trying to make an honest living. They profit from the misery of others.


The shoe store clerk's second concern was that politicians be honest. One can look at the conviction of fraud of past mayor of Vernon, Sean Harvey, to see how quickly one falls from grace when her advise isn't followed.


Walking out the shoe store I met local actor Danielle Dunn-Morris (well known for her excellent role as Elizabeth 1 in Project X's 2006 production of Elizabeth Rex). When I asked Danielle what her concerns were, support of the local arts was top of the list. She noted that it is the artists who give a voice to issues and are often called on to support fundraisers. Not only that, they are an important part of the local economy. Stats Canada reports over 4% of Canadians are employed as a direct result of the cultural and entertainment sector. That means, in the Kamloops and area, where there are 65,000 people in the labour force of a total 120,000, there are 2600 employed in this sector. This includes not only actors and artists, but everything from managers to ticket sellers, technicians and casino workers. Venture Kamloops promotes Kamloops active cultural scene as a reason to move to Kamloops.


After shoes, it was out to the Lyons Landscaping and Garden Centre on the KIB. They were having their first BBQ fundraiser of the year. They'll be having BBQs again on May 9th & 10th, and June 14th. Also not to be missed is their Garden Tour June 29th and their Pond Tour September 7th. All proceeds go to the annual CIBC Run for the Cure, Sunday, October 5 at Riverside Park. Lyons was a huge fundraiser for RFTC last year, and they told me they are looking forward to doing more this year.

I also had the chance to speak to the chief BBQer who knew one of my uncles from way back from their construction work together in Kamloops. It's always nice when someone whose passed away is remembered for the contributions that they've made. If we can all be so lucky.

Finally, out to the mouth of the Adams River for the Shuswap Environmental Action Society's rally. Over 600 people from Kamloops, Chase, Salmon Arm, Celista, Anglement, Sicamous and farther afield attended to let local, provincial and federal governments know that massive development right at the mouth of the most important salmon spawning river in the world is unacceptable. Kudos to SEAS' President Jim Cooperman for giving us the opportunity to let all levels of government know that the preservation of this priceless environmental and cultural heritage is so important. Downstream (both figuratively and literally), what will all the commercial, sports and First Nation fishers do when the salmon disappear? Should the benefit of a few usurp the collective good of not only citizens but also the habitat that nature relies on?

Just another sunny Saturday in Kamloops. It's amazing what one can get done if they start early enough. Thank goodness I have a dog that gets me out of the house by 7:00 am :-)

Nancy's Vision of Kamloops

On Monday, April 7 at 10:00 am, the public and press attended a coffee social hosted by some of my friends. The event was held at the Smorgasbord Deli, 225 – 7th Avenue, Kamloops, BC.

At the social, I declared that I will running for as candidate for council in the November 2008 Kamloops municipal elections.

At the coffee social shared my vision of Kamloops and future plans.

Here's what I said:

As co-founder of "Save Public Waterfront", I've have also been an organizer of a host of community events including recent talks by Percy Schmeiser, Wendy Mesley, Diane Youdell and Malalai Joya. I also organized last year's Sierra Club New Energy Film Festival in Kamloops and coordinated International Women's Day events. I am on the board of the Big Little Science Centre, Kamloops Heritage Society, Kamloops chapter of the Canadian Information Processing Society, TRU Faculty Association executive, and the Kamloops CIBC Run for the Cure organizing committee. I am equally well known as "Banjo Nancy" for playing at the Kamloops Farmers Market and local seniors' residences.

My goal is to make Kamloops a top 10 city in Canada. Top 10 for economic diversification. Top 10 for retaining and attracting young people. Top 10 for servicing the needs of our seniors. Top 10 for building a strong sense of community.

I have the experience to back up my vision.

For ten years, I worked as a software engineer and meteorologist on projects around the world for MacDonald Dettwiler (known for its Radarsat technology). I then gained hands-on experience in advanced wood manufacturing by working for five years for Salmon Arm's Coe Newnes McGehee as a project manager and product manager for sawmill equipment. For the last seven years, as a member of Thompson River University's Career Education Department, I have worked with thousands of employers across western Canada. I have worked directly with the mines, mills and petroleum sectors that are key to Kamloops' economy.

Through my role at TRU, I have worked with hundreds of young people. To keep our economy thriving, Kamloops needs young people. Not only does Kamloops have to retain the young people that are here, it needs to attract the two fastest growing groups of younger workers: new immigrants and First Nations.

By 2013, over 27% of Kamloops' population will be over 65. It is fastest growing segment of our population. Kamloops needs a comprehensive policy framework for seniors' issues, including housing, safety and taxation.

One way I want to strengthen community is to support and encourage the formation of more community groups such as Friends of MacDonald Park and the Schubert Drive residents' association. Kamloops is a spread out city. Whether you live in Rayleigh, Barnhartvale or Brockelhurst, you need to feel that you're getting value for your tax dollars. Friends of MacDonald Park did an excellent job of advocating for their neighborhood. When citizens have a group that represents their common concerns, they feel more empowered going to city hall with their concerns. When neighbors know their neighbors, Kamloops is a safer place too.