APEGA FOUNDATION
‘It’s all about breaking the model of what we were doing before and getting people thinking about what could be possible.’
MICHAEL SMYTH, P.ENG. AF President
the economic downturn. “It’s been a challenge for the whole non-profit sector,” the foundation president says. Another way volunteer ambassadors can help is by sharing their thoughts and opinions at an upcoming idea jam — a creative brainstorming session. To be held early in 2018, it will help set the direction of the organi- zation. Two or three top ideas arising from the session will be chosen for future implementation. “It’s all about breaking the model of what we were doing before and getting people thinking about what could be possible,” says Mr. Smyth. BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION AF’s new mandate will only be fulfilled with the support of APEGA Members. But people will only support an organization if they understand its mission. That’s why enhanced communication with Members will also be a strong AF focus in the new year. “We’ve got a very large and prosperous potential donor pool, but we need to communicate better with them,” says Mr. Smyth. “We need to connect with them, so they know that by supporting the foundation, they’re investing in important initiatives for the benefit of the professions and society.”
volunteers to serve as foundation ambassadors. “We’d like 35 volunteers to start, and possibly up to 100, to help guide the organization’s direction,” says Mr. Smyth. Ambassadors will be key to the success of the foundation’s new, fund-development initiatives and its vision of becoming a trusted custodian of endowment and legacy contributions from APEGA Members. The role of the ambassadors will be to reach out to Members to discuss AF’s growing mandate and to request donations. Until recently, the foundation relied primarily on Members making donations on their APEGA dues renewal form. “We very much appreciate these donations and they’ve made a huge impact, but to be sustainable the foundation needs new income sources,” says Mr. Smyth. This has become even more important over the past few years, with donations dropping considerably during HOW TO DONATE Your gift to the APEGA Foundation recognizes our proud professional history and is an invest- ment in the inspired future that we share. 1. Attach a cheque for the APEGA Foundation to your annual APEGA membership renewal form and mail it in. 2. Donate online at apegafoundation.ca. Consider becoming a monthly donor to break your annual donation into more manageable monthly payments. And if your employer has a donation matching program, don’t forget to apply!
QUESTIONS? Email: info@apegafoundation.ca Phone: 1-888-262-3688 Visit: www.apegafoundation.ca
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