
	Monday September 6, 2010

Members Speak Out

Subject: The launch of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC)

Good Morning, Mr. Dorais!

I am writing to you to express my disappointment in the 'Friends and Leaders' recognition initiative. To 'award' someone and give them recognition as a 'friend' or even worse as a 'leader', based on the almighty $$, is insulting and disrespectful. Basing any kind of recognition on the monetary contributions made by employees is shallow and sets up a division of the classes. I am surprised that your office would promote such a thing.

There are a number of employees who cannot afford to make a monetary commitment to the United Way, or perhaps many other charities, for that matter. These same people, however, are able to volunteer either their time or the results of their efforts in order to help those who are less fortunate. I do not mean just supporting global assistance such as Flood Relief or Hurricane/Disaster Relief. There are employees who volunteer to read to children in local libraries, coach children's sports teams, push juice carts in hospitals and nursing homes, and knit mitts, hats and scarves that are given to people in need in the community. There is no monetary value put on the time and efforts of these people and they do not receive a charitable donation receipt. However, I would think that the individuals whose lives they come in contact with, directly or indirectly, would consider them to be 'friends'. And these same people would be considered 'leaders' by their peers and their communities. It is amazing that promotion of such recognition comes from the top of our organization. Once again, I ask myself, 'Did you read that out loud to anybody before you had that printed up?'

The fact that 'Friends and Leaders' is based on monetary contributions would suggest that those who do not make the minimum contributions, are, by the absence of that contribution, not considered by the Agency to be friends or leaders.

A 5lb bag of onions for this one.

Thank you for your time,

Anne Marie McGregor
Peterborough Local

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