Chairman Don Stewart keeping things on track
Coordinator Geraldine Caines and Chairman, Steward May
The Fortune Bay North Cadet Corp handling the
registration desk.
Jean Sheppard, Yarn Point Knitters, displaying
their handiwork.
A workshop in progress
Ministers Oliver Langdon and Sandra Kelly with the Fortune
Bay North Cadet Corp
|
On March 23 and 24, the Fortune Bay
North Shore Economic Development Committee, in partnership with the Coast of Bays
Corporation, held a Community Capacity Building Workshop at the Municipal Centre in
Belleoram. The forum was organized by Ms. Geraldine Caines with assistance from a steering
committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Steward May. This steering committee was
comprised of representatives of all communities in the Fortune Bay North Shore subregion. The purpose of the workshop was threefold:
- to motivate people to become more involved;
- to increase people’s interest in taking a leadership role in the
community; and
- to improve cooperation and relations between communities.
A total of 175 people registered for the two day event which consisted
of a workshop and a showcase of the volunteer sector of the Fortune Bay North Shore
region.
Chaired by Don Stewart of the Coast of Bays Corporation, the forum began
with addresses by the mayors in the sub-region, followed by Hon. Oliver Langdon, MHA and
the Hon. Sandra Kelly. Mike Bruce of HRDC gave a highly charged, motivational presentation
on the "power of the people", taking charge of the future and setting our
own course. The evening drew to a close with a social and the opportunity for the
residents to mingle and observe displays of the various groups.
The next day saw the continuation of the displays and break-out discussions to
determine why people volunteer, the benefits of volunteering and what can be done to
encourage more volunteers.
The workshop clearly demonstrated that the volunteer sector is vital for the survival
of rural communities. The value of their service is beyond the affordability of any
government and is priceless to their communities. |
