[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 60-02, April - June, 2006 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Now is the time to step forward

By Chuck Alexander, Ontario District President

The dictionary defines a volunteer as a person who “enters or offers their services on their own free will.” The problem is we just don’t have enough men willing to take on additional duties at the chapter or district level.

As long as I have been a Barbershopper, I have heard the saying time and time again that 10 percent of the members in a chapter do 90 percent of the work. You know what I mean! Just look at who sets up and takes down the risers. It’s always the same guys. And look at your chapter’s board, they seem to be the same guys year after year.

Are you aware that Central Division has been without a division co-ordinator for over three years? Are you aware that the district has need of a VP of Marketing and PR? Are you aware that the district needs people to sit on various committees like that of the OntaFame? Are you aware that we could use some help in the field of electronic communications? Are you aware that we are looking for a convention chairman for 2007 and beyond?

Like chapters, the district board and management team members try to find a suitable replacement, one that can assist them for a year in a learning stage and then assume the officer’s duties when they depart or take on other responsibilities. But such is a difficult task when no one is prepared to step forward and volunteer their services to the district.

Are you a member of a chapter in Central Division (Greater Toronto, Scarborough, Markham, Newmarket, East York, Etobicoke/Mississauga or Toronto) who would like to step forward and volunteer to assume the DC duties for the district? Do you have skills in Marketing and PR that you could offer the district? Do you have skills in any of the other fields that need addressing?

I would love to have a database of people willing to step forward and assist the district in any capacity.

How did I become a member of the district board? It was very simple. For 34 years, I received what others provided me at the chapter and district level. Upon my retirement, I thought that it was time for me to give back by volunteering my time and energy to the district.

Would you like to do the same? Drop me a line at president  @  ontariodistrict.com or call me at 705-325-5694 and let me know what you have to offer or what you might like to do.

We need you! Now is the time to step forward.     k