HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2006-11-02, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2006. PAGE 11
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF BLYTH
Heart & Soul Chair Takes Exception to Comments
Dear Citizens:
This letter is in response to the recent North Huron Council Briefs, "Loan
Added to Taxes".
That kind of chest-beating can only meant one thing: it's an election year.
It's a shame that some of our municipal leadership appears to continue to
regard community volunteers like we are some sort of nuisance: people
like me, and everyone else involved in the 'Heart & Soul' capital
campaign in support of approximately $2.3 million in renovations at the
Blyth & District Community Centre.
Heart & Soul Campaign
The 'Heart & Soul' campaign was a remarkable demonstration of a
determined community. From the very first meeting at the old arena,
municipal leaders told volunteers that "it can't be done". One person
went so far as to say that "Blyth is too small...it can't support an arena".
At the time, those of us in the room were offended. In hindsight, those
close-mined remarks galvanized a handful of volunteers.
The remarks also signaled that many more volunteers would be required
— and that we would constantly have to prove ourselves. Some things
never change.
Six years ago, I agreed to undertake the responsibilities of Chairman of
the 'Heart & Soul' campaign. It was a learn-on-the-job experience. With
the assistance of a small group of volunteers, we somehow managed
almost the entire project. We met with the general contractor and, for the
most part, designed the building. Like the generation before us, we were
determined to build a useful, practical building — something that the
community could afford. We designed the fundraising programs,
promotional material, approached municipal partners and all local user
groups. We even completed the comprehensive application for
provincial/federal funding under the SuperBuild program — on our own.
Volunteer Commitment
We committed to raise approximately $1.1 million locally, and would
accept multi-year pledges to achieve ambitious targets. But 'Heart &
Soul' would not fundraise to pay the interest charges on any loans the
municipality would undertake during construction and fundraising.
We were clear on this from day one.
We were also clear that in this project, "time" was the same as money.
Hundreds of volunteers donated time and invested sweat equity in the
project, enabling more improvements to be made than originally planned.
It is important that each of us remembers the investment of the volunteers
and the investment of the hundreds who made donations. Because one of
the risks 'Heart & Soul' accepted when multi-year pledges were created,
was that some pledges may not be honoured. As one municipal leader
told us, "circumstances change". Of course they do. Financial means
may change. People may move. Some may pass away. We understood
that.
Without the generosity and support of silent sponsors (who covered all
printing, postage, advertising, administrative costs and donated all the
Early Bird prizes) and the cooperation of ticket sellers and buyers across
Ontario, this fundraiser would not have happened. Five years was not
enough and, after the sixth year, the truck draw had run its course. In the
process, the truck draw raised approximately $80,000. The volunteers
should be congratulated for their efforts.
Instead, we have the spectacle in The Citizen of the same volunteers
being blamed for increased taxes in North Huron.
I sincerely hope that if anyone else was unable to honour a 'Heart & Soul'
pledge that their names are spared printing or scolding in the local paper.
Another Perspective
We have been over this before, but it's time for North Huron to accept a
couple of things:
1. 'Heart & Soul' was created to solicit and generate funds in
support of a capital campaign — from the beginning, we were
clear that we would not fundraise to pay 'interest' on any
municipal loans; and,
2. Remove the interest charges and the actual 'outstanding'
balance is approximately $12,000 — which, frankly, confirms
that this project is a testament to the power of volunteerism and
community spirit.
We appreciate the efforts of the municipality to be fiscally responsible,
but suggest there is a bigger picture/sense of achievement opportunity
here: few communities of Blyth's population can boast of an
achievement such as the all-volunteer $2.3 million 'Heart & Soul'
campaign. I don't understand the determination of those who are still
trying to "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" and the apparent
disregard for volunteers.
If, however, this is purely a discussion about money, perhaps there are
examples of costly, 'professionally managed campaigns' in North Huron
that came up short — maybe even 7-digits short — while some on
Council curiously squeeze 'Heart & Soul' volunteers out of convenience.
For the record, the inconsistency stinks.
`Heart & Soul' was the largest public-private initiative ever undertaken in
Blyth. I consider it an honour to have been part of it. I sincerely thank
you for your support — and I encourage you to continue to volunteer
your time and resources in support of Blyth.
In Community,
The 'Truck Draw'
One group that set a high fundraising standard was the "WIN! WIN!
Sweepstakes" — or the "truck draw" as most people called it. This group
pledged $100,000 in the name of Blyth Bulldogs hockey (not Blyth
Minor Hockey as stated) and intended to raise the money over a 5-year
period.
Todd MacDonald,
Volunteer Chair
`Heart & Soul' Campaign