November 12, 2003 Ottawa Citizen - pg.
E2
Charitable Giving Insert
By Carl Dow
The goal of raising $15 million from private sources in support of the new Canadian War Museum at LeBreton Flats will be achieved before the end of the year.
To obtain federal funding for the building, the Friends of the Canadian War Museum (FCWM) agreed to raise the $15 million from the private sector. The money will be applied to exhibits and outreach programs of the much heralded structure.
General Paul Manson, chairman of the Passing the Torch Campaign, says the success of the campaign was possible only because of the hard work of volunteers.
"Literally dozens of volunteers support this campaign right across the country. People who perform a wide variety of functions from meeting potential donors, to administrative work, raising money in various ways such as book sales and a thousand and one other activities."
General Manson says FCWM volunteers held the expenses of the money-raising drive down to 10 per cent.
"The planned rate for expenses for a campaign of this nature is usually in the 20 to 25 percent range. The FCWM are an example of what volunteers can do for an organization when their many talents are utilized."
The Canadian War Museum, an affiliate of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, has itself about 125 active volunteers and 50 staff.
As an example of a volunteer, General Manson spoke of retired Lieutenant Colonel Alf Rasmussen, a Second World War veteran.
"He comes in every morning at seven and works through to noon looking after such things as correspondence, proposals, donor certificates, and has been doing this for eight years."
Bibi Patel, director of Development and Donor Services with the Community Foundation of Ottawa says that with a smaller organization like hers the role of volunteers is vital.
"When we started about 15 years ago, volunteers were critical in helping us to get ramped up and to this day they play that important role even as we get more self sufficient in terms of resources and staff."
Ms. Patel had high praise for all volunteers. When asked to give an example she named Shane Kelly who is now helping with the foundation's web site.
Mr. Kelly said that he was unemployed when he began volunteering at CFO.
"I needed to put my idle time to some valued use. Through a business acquaintance who was a board member, I was introduced to Barbara Mclnnes, president and CEO. She told me that the CFO needed help with some technical requirements primarily in the IT field.
"I helped them on the technical side, upgrading some of their computers and planning some of their technology for the future. At the time I worked a couple of days a week but now that I'm elsewhere employed full time I go in on an as needed basis. I was in mere today helping them upgrade their web site.
"It's extremely rewarding volunteering because being able to help others gives me a strong sense of satisfaction. It is especially rewarding working with the staff and volunteers at the CFO because it is in an environment where there is a very positive attitude about helping others."
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