Notice Board

The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) presents a session with University of Lethbridge Development Officer Brandie Lea as she discusses philanthropy in Lethbridge.

A Bit of Fragrance Always Clings to the Hand that Gives you Roses

Date:                     Thursday, December 14, 2017 (last session before Christmas)
Time:                     12 - 1:30 p.m.
Location:               Country Kitchen Catering (below the Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S
Cost:                      $14 (includes lunch) or $2 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary

Since 1986, following the signing of a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan, National Philanthropy Day has been celebrated in the United States on November 15. In 2013, the Canadian government signed into law a similar proclamation to celebrate November 15 as National Philanthropy Day in Canada. Of course, donating and volunteering does not begin nor stop on that day, but it does serve the purpose of drawing attention to the importance of “giving back” to the many causes that increasingly rely on philanthropic assistance.

Almost half of Canada’s population over 15 years of age volunteer an average of 150 hours per year or nearly 2 billion hours in total. Yearly monetary donations to Canadian charitable and non-profit organizations amount to approx. $15 billion. Of that total, two-thirds of the donations were made by the most generous 10 per cent of donors. Around 40 per cent of all financial donations went to religious organizations while health and social service groups received nearly 25 per cent of the total.

How was National Philanthropy Day celebrated in Lethbridge and how does this community generally stack up in terms of giving and volunteering? The speaker will shed light on that question and contend that showing love for humanity is more than wealthy individuals and companies donating millions of dollars to charities and institutions. It is the numerous acts of charity and volunteerism, however small, that make a huge impact on people’s lives - including your own.

Speaker:              Brandie Lea

You may wonder how a person with a graduate degree in kinesiology ends up as a “recruiter for noble causes” (i.e. fundraiser). Brandie graduated from the University of Lethbridge with an MSc in Kinesiology, yet has been involved in the non-for-profit world for almost 10 years.  She began her path at Covenant Health working as the Foundation Coordinator for the St. Michael’s Health Centre, and recently graduated from that role into a position as Faculty Development Officer for the University of Lethbridge.

Brandie is an eye-witness to many of the big hearts and brilliant people who are found in our city.  She is a member of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge and is currently involved at the board level.  She has also been part of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and volunteered as a member of its board of directors.  Most recently, Brandie was instrumental in initiating a chamber committee known as the Corporate Philanthropy Taskforce.  Her engagement with this taskforce, as well as her role with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, gave her a flash of inspiration that led to a city-wide message of thanks to our local citizens.  #ThanksYQL was a phenomenal week of appreciation that she hopes touched nearly everyone.

Moderator:        Jess Fehr

For more information on the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs, visit the SACPA website.

Again, this Christmas season, SACPA is planning to support two charities. Donated money and warm clothing will this year benefit Lethbridge Soup Kitchen and Streets Alive. Attendees are encouraged to participate.