Volunteerism has been a part of my family life since I was quite small. My Mom was Chairwoman of the Wexford Women’s Institute in Scarborough for as long as I can remember, until it was finally dissolved due to lack of membership in the late 70′s or early 1980′s. She was also Guide Leader and church volunteer for many years. My Dad, a WWII veteran, served on the finance committee of our church for as long as I can remember and was on the local P.T.A. for many years.
Volunteerism was not something that had to be advertised to me. It was, rather, something that we did to serve and expand our community. It allowed us to engage our community, influence it, protect it, make it healthier and happier place for us to live, proudly.
I was a Scout for many years which is pretty much where I put my volunteer efforts in my early to teen years. In my mid-teens I became a supply & relief Child Care Worker with the the Metro Toronto Children’s Aid Society, and I did that until my early 20′s. There was a modest hourly rate paid for this work, I must admit. But this was not what I did the work: I was exposed to a very wide variety of children, having been brought into care for any number of reasons. Many had escaped abusive situations and this was the (often) first secure, peaceful setting they had known. This work taught me empathy, patience, appreciation for my life and upbringing, teamwork, trust, and hope: many children were able to rise above their circumstances with sheer determination.
Later, I became drawn to leadership roles in managing the Boards of two condominium corporations in Toronto (Gotham Lofts and Trinity Park Lofts). Both buildings were newly built and as is common now with such facilities, there is much to be negotiated with the developer on behalf of the residents (and the residents themselves); often the Board becomes seen as “part of the problem”. My first taste of volunteer leadership was not as I had expected! Yet … it was rewarding: with my business and technical skills I was able to improve the situation markedly in these buildings, and I know my work was appreciated by those residents who understood the role the Board played.
I am now a self-employed artist and I find myself increasingly drawn to volunteerism and community involvement. As a
new artist in King, I was drawn to Arts Society King as a means to help me to promote my work. And I have prospered by my involvement with ASK, but in ways I had not anticipated!
Greg and Schomberg Village Street Gallery Co-Chair Tom Wray promoting the event at the 2010 Schomberg Fair Parade on Main Street Schomberg (SVSG's open air location)
Through interesting circumstances:
- I am Board member of Arts Society King (ASK) and I believe that my perspective as an active, career artist has been instrumental in the management of the Board’s activities.
- I am Co-founder and Chair of Schomberg Village Street Gallery (an ASK sponsored event) that turns the backdrop of historic Schomberg Main Street into a stage for nearly two dozen juried local and area artists to sell their works. This year’s show on September 17th and 18th will be the event’s third year.
- I am Board member of York Regional Arts Council, representing the interests of King Township, its vast artist population and ASK. Only one of two career artists on the Board, once again my perspective is valuable in ensuring that marketing programmes “hit the road” for York region artists. I have been honoured by my appointment as Chair of the YRAC Grants Committee, responsible for the administration and processes for disbursement of Chair Bill Fisch’s $125,000 in bursaries to York Region individual artists in 2010.
- I am Board Member of Concerned Citizens of King Township, which for the past 35 years has responded to citizens’ inquiries and taken action. CCKT informs and build public awareness about issues specific to King to foster and support actions that maintain the rural character of the Township and protect its environment. CCKT is the King community’s voice for responsible planning that protects and values our natural heritage through education, advocacy, partnerships, and community involvement.
I am very happy that my wife Tracy and I moved to King township because it is a jurisdiction and appreciates and intrinsically rewards those of us who decide that giving our scare time and effort to our community is well worth it.
