I Am A Princeton Volunteer

​Before I moved to Princeton in 1986 I had limited volunteer experience. Once I started to move around a bit more within the framework of this small town I discovered something very interesting. If Princeton had no volunteers, much of what we have here would not exist. In fact, you could say that volunteers are probably responsible for more activities, facilities and celebrations in our community than any other source.
 
I learned early in my time in Princeton from my boss at the time, the late Laurie Currie, that there is something very special about giving of yourself to your community. I never forgot that and have been actively volunteering each year I have lived here. The list of groups I have held executive positions on reads like a who’s who of local non-profits. I have been rather busy in the 32 years I have been a resident of the Town of Princeton.
 
Some of The Groups I Have Been Part Of
 
My first position was the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce. I have been the President of Princeton Racing Days, President of Princeton Exhibition Association (PXA), Vice President of Princeton Crisis Assistance, Secretary of Princeton Rotary Club, President of the Princeton & District Business Enhancement Association (BEA) and a Director on several other boards including Princeton Rodeo Club and Okanagan College (Princeton) Advisory Board.
 
I am rarely involved in any less than three groups at a time at any given time. I am currently the Chairman of the Granite Creek Preservation Society, President (as of last week) of Princeton & District Museum & Archives Society and Vice President of the Princeton & District Chamber of Commerce. There’s something I really enjoy about giving back to my community and working with others to achieve worthwhile goals for local non-profits.
 
What I Think Volunteers Do For Princeton
 
I view volunteers in the Princeton area as special citizens. They are truly the people who have created and maintained the cultural fabric of our community. Non-profits can access funding sources that are not available to communities any other way. Non-profits are committed to spending their funds on things that are supposed to benefit the community as a whole. Non-profits host events to fundraise in order to make our community a little bit better.
 
Volunteers work tirelessly for no pay. They are driven by the desire to do something good for others. That truly takes a special kind of person and I am still learning from other volunteers who have been at it far longer than the 32 years I’ve put into giving back so far in my life. Volunteers are important and vital to the survival of the arts and culture of any community. In Princeton, this is magnified by the smaller population here compared to the bigger cities further down the road.
 
Do Volunteers Get Enough Recognition?
 
I am grateful that more than one local non-profit organization has taken it upon themselves to host special dinners honouring volunteers. However, it bothers me that it has to come from another non-profit. I honestly feel that our elected officials have the responsibility to show their appreciation to volunteers by taking the initiative to create awards, banquets and celebrations where volunteers can be recognized, thanked and honoured for what they do in our town.
 
If you were to take away each and every contribution made within the community that was either organized, funded or built because of volunteers, it would become apparent that we all have a debt to pay for those hard-working volunteers. They have given Princeton and the surrounding area so much. Places we go, things we do, celebrations we participate in all are mostly the result of local volunteers. These are the people who step up. They get involved and fully involved.
 
Join Me And Become A Volunteer
 
If you are new to Princeton or you just want to connect with people and don’t know where to start, I strongly urge you to become part of the fabric of our community by becoming a volunteer. If you have never given time back to your community, expecting nothing in return, you really have to experience it. There are lots of volunteer opportunities around Princeton. You will meet new people, make new friends and feel good about doing something good.
 
Volunteers are a huge part of what makes Princeton tick. I only wish that they received more attention and recognition for what they contribute to our committee. If I am elected to Princeton Town Council in October, I will bring the voice of hundreds of local volunteers to the Council Chambers. I know what volunteers are capable of. They are a powerful force and resource. They don’t sit back and complain about how things should be fixed or changed.
 
They are the people who fix and change those things because volunteers know there is a big difference between saying something and doing something. I am proud to call myself a Princeton volunteer and I thank all the other Princeton volunteers for what they have and continue to do. You have given much to your community. Thank you.