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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2002-06-19, Page 3Support from other volunteers has helped Agar in school fight Others willing to help took some pressure off Agar By Scott Hilgendorff Expositor Editor Maureen Agar, seen as one of the figureheads in the community's efforts to save its high school, says the support of other volunteers is the only thing that's kept her from burning out. "I'm pretty lucky because there is a group of us working on this school issue," said Agar. She has been a spokesperson for the Student Success Foundation as it has fought the Avon Maitland District School Board for more than three years to keep Seaforth District High School open. In any volunteer organization, Agar said it's essential to have I solid core group of people so not just one person is doing all the work and there are others to carry the load when someone else needs a break. "One burns out at a time," she said of the Student Success Foundation members, made up of volunteers from the community who believe in the importance of keeping the high school open. "You couldn't do it yourself," she said of the work involved. The foundation members successfully took the Avon Maitland District School Board to court and prevented the high school from being closed. Now tired and ready for a break, the committee is working again as a new closure process has begun which threatens the school again. The committee formed from local volunteers involved in the school community, like Agar who was chair of the school advisory council at the time the crisis emerged. As a community -minded volunteer, she never expected f}o be drawn into such a long, hard struggle. Until then, Agar was just a volunteer like many others in the community, not ever expecting to be involved in a legal battle that foundation Volunteer fair part of events to honour area volunteers Volunteer Huron hopes event will help encourage more people to be involved Volunteers across Huron County will be recognized at three events being planned for International Year of the Volunteer that will also provide a chance for volunteer -starved agencies to recruit more help. "Hopefully with these events, we might promote volunteering in the future," said Cheryl Faber, a member of Volunteer Huron, the county -based organization that is organizing three events to honour volunteers for their efforts and to encourage others to get involved. Volunteer Huron, an organization representing organizations and clubs across the county, is also faced with a shortage of volunteers as it plans the events that will be hosted in Goderich, Wingham and Exeter this September. It's executive dropped to three members from county -based volunteer organizations last fall. The activities will feature a theatrical performance on volunteering, a volunteer fair and a reception to honour volunteers. "The events are to celebrate all the contributions volunteers have made," said Faber. At the same time, the event will generate interest in organizations that need help from community members through the form of a volunteer fair where organizations can be represented to encourage people to take part. She said Volunteer Huron will be trying to rebuild itself during the fair, raising awareness about the organization that helps provide general support to volunteer organizations. As the organization moves forward, Faber said, "Hopefully, we're going to start focusing on our goals and strategic planning." Faber said the events will be an opportunity for people to realize what kind of organizations are out there in which they could get involved. Anyone who volunteers or who is interested in volunteering is encouraged to attend the events. Career planning opportunities available to 4-H members Career planning, mock interviews and deciding on a post secondary education are some of the activities at Careermania, being held July 31 to Aug. 2, at the University of Guelph, for senior 4-H members in Ontario. Karen Scott, 4-H Ontario Program Manager, indicated that highlights of the program include, "how to plan your career path and talking with innovative people who have been successful in their field of choice." Impaired driver charged after accident A 19 -year-old Prescott, Michigan man was charged with impaired driving after four vehicles were involved in a collision June 23 at 3:45 a.m. in McKillop. Three vehicles following each other closely had been travelling westbound on the Hullett-McKillop Road. The first was driven by a 2I -year-old Seaforth man who stopped to avoid hitting a family of raccoons when the second vehicle, driven by a 23 -year-old Seaforth man struck the back of the first vehicle. The third vehicle, driven by a 21 -year-old Seaforth man hit the back of the second vehicle. Both drivers were charged with following too closely. A fourth vehicle, driven by the Michigan man, came along separately and collided with the three vehicles on the road. He was taken to Seaforth Community Hospital with minor injuries where he was charged with a drinking and driving offence. Seaforth Fire Department assisted at the scene. The three jam-packed days will assist participants in determining a career path based on their skills and talents, gaining experience in searching for employment and determining whether to start their own business. The program is open to 60 senior 4-H members, aged 14 to 17. The registration fee includes accommodations and all meals. Deadline for registration is June 30. 4-H members wanting to participate in a more intense career planning experience can attend the National 4-H Careers Conference, held annually in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Next year's conference will be held March 20 to 24 with the option of participating in a host family visit March 17 to 20. The conference, involving young people from across Canada, provides an opportunity to learn the extent of career opportunities available in various industries, including agriculture. Activities like mock interviews with Human Resources experts provide the participants with excellent experience to assist them in their career planning. Two delegates from Ontario can attend the conference. The deadline for applying is Sept. 21. To obtain more details on either of these events contact 4-H Ontario at 1=877-410- 6748 or view the web site www.4-hontario.ca . As an informal educational program, 4-H helps young people 10 to 21 years of age acquire personal development skills while learning about a topic of interest to them. Almost 8,000 members and 2,000 volunteers took part in over 1,200 clubs across Ontario last year. members believed was necessary to save both the school and a community that would suffer without it. Agar was simply an involved parent whose children were going through the school system. She put her volunteer efforts in school councils since the late 1980s and. prior to that, was a volunteer in Seaforth Minor Hockey. During her time as a volunteer, she has seen a core group of people who volunteer in several areas from service clubs to, minor sports. She sees a shortage of volunteers but said. "I think the problem is. in a small community. we need the same number of groups but have a smaller population base." In a town of 2.300 people and about 4.000 total including the surrounding area, she said there aren't enough volunteers to go around. She said when volunteers are used extensively, there needs to be a good support system within the organizations to keep lifting each other up and keep the efforts strong; whether it he fighting a political battle or trying to organize a community event. "Any group needs that support," she said. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Juno 27, 2001-7 Kara L Pepper, usr Mow &rapist Contact Seaforth Chiropractic Clinic 527-1242 for an appointment 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 a. 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