Random thoughts on getting involved

Recently, my new Volunteer Assistant Mary Lynn has been speaking to a lot of you as we try to update our database with more e-mail addresses so that we can communicate more efficiently and re-direct more funds to the programs that directly serve our clients.  What I've gleaned from this chance to speak with you is that the personal connection is welcome.  At the beginning of July, the Membership program was taken under the wing of the Resource Development department here at CPA Ontario and I am happy to be working with a terrific team across the province of energetic folks with lots of ideas and enthusiasm.  What I hope this means for you is that there will be more opportunites to come out to events and workshops whether you're in Thunder Bay or Peterborough or Windsor.

On the pages of our website you'll notice frequent mentions of the upcoming Wheelchair Relay Challenges.  This is my fourth year taking part (the third with my team, the Wild Wheeled Women!) and I have to say I never thought I'd be looking forward to getting up super early on a Sunday morning to race around a shopping mall parking lot!  The camaraderie of doing something a little zany with work colleagues, new and old friends, famly ,volunteers and sponsors is infectious, though, and the feeling of helping others while having fun at the same time can't be beat.

What I'm getting at here is to encourage you to call your local CPA Ontario office and find out when and where your 2010 Wheelchair Relay Challenge is happening.  Volunteer or put together your own team--you don't have to have a wide circle of family, friends and acquaintances who'll give pledges, it's all about getting involved.  What you get out of life is usually in proportion to what you put into it, so get out and have fun!