Big Brothers Big Sisters Day on the Hill
After a full day of meetings with the Departmental Policy Advisor to Justice Minister Cotler, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Joe Volpe, NDP Social Policy Critic Tony Martin (filling in for NDP Leader Jack Layton, who was still recuperating from his emergency appendectomy), and a photo op with the Prime Minister, we headed off to the “Main Event”: the reception for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada that was being hosted by former Big Brother and Deputy Conservative Party Leader Peter MacKay.
It was an amazing event. The BBBSC contingent was led by Board Chair Trish Barbato, Vice-Chair Doug Westlund, Board Member Rob Hooper, and President and CEO Bruce MacDonald. Over 150 people were in attendance, including 45 Members of Parliament and 5 Senators. (I've attached the full list below, in case you'd like to follow up on the reception locally by thanking your MP for attending and using the call as an opportunity to ask for a meeting or support. Does your MP already have some of your recruitment/Bowl for Kids' Sake literature in his/her constituency office? If not, why not explore the possibility?)
The program began with opening remarks by Peter MacKay, MP, who spoke passionately about his own experiences as a Big Brother, and then turned the podium over to Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan, and NDP MP and former Big Brother, Brian Masse, who each expressed their support of the incredible work of our agencies across the country.
Bruce then made a passionate speech on behalf of BBBSC and the 20,000 children we serve, and led into the highlight of the evening's program: absolutely incredible presentations by Little Brother Paul and his Big Brother Bart from the Ottawa agency, who did an amazing rap about their special friendship. And then Little Sister Betty and Big Sister Diane form the Outaouais agency spoke just as movingly in French about what the Big Brothers Big Sisters program has meant for them. A huge thank you goes to Lois Allen and the staff and Board Members from the Ottawa agency who came to the event, and Denis Quinn from the Outaouais agency for their incredible help and support in making this inaugural event on the Hill a success.
Alumni Coordinator Melanie Snyder, together with representatives from Telus and the Keg Spirit Foundation, then recognized 14 MPs for their outstanding contributions to the BBBS agency in their community: Peter MacKay, Ray Bonin, Ken Boshcoff, Joe Comuzzi, Gerald Keddy, Guy Lauzon, Brian Masse, Alexa McDonough, Anne McLellan, Peter Milliken, Joe Preston, Lloyd St. Amand, Mike Savage, and Paddy Torsney. Unfortunately, Gary Carr had to leave before the presenation, and Diane Marleau was unable to attend. The others, however, were presented with a certificate of appreciation and an Alumni pin, and photos of each recipient with Trish Barabto are now on-line at www.bbbsc.ca.
For BBBSC, the reception was a fabulous networking opportunity. We built awareness among the country's decision-makers, and moved many to express a desire to get further involved. 5 Members made Statements in the House of Commons, both about Big Brothers Big Sisters and Bowl for Kids' Sake, and a number of community papers and radio stations covered the award presentations on the Hill. As with most initiatives that fall under the "Building Influence" pillar of our Strategic Plan, this event was just one step in a much longer process. But it was definitely a step in the right direction.
Thanks to MasterCard Canada, for generously sponsoring this event, and thanks especially to all of our member agencies who let us know about their relationship with local MPs. We couldn't have done it without you!
And now, at last, here's the complete list of MPs who attended the reception: Peter Adams, Dean Allison, Rob Anders, James Bezan, Bill Blaikie, Ray Bonin, Ken Boshcoff, Garry Breitkreuz, Gary Carr, Joe Comuzzi, Cheryl Gallant, Gary Goodyear, Helena Guergis, Stephen Harper, Mark Holland, Brian Jean, Gerald Keddy, Guy Lauzon, James Lunney, Peter MacKay, Gurbax Mahli, Brian Masse, Alexa McDonough, Anne McLellan, Larry Miller, Peter Milliken, Shawn Murphy, Anita Neville, Bev Oda, Joe Preston, Marcel Proulx, Anthony Rota, Mike Savage, Gary Schellenberger, Joy Smith, Monte Solberg, Lloyd St. Amand, Peter Stoffer, Chuck Strahl, David Tilson, Vic Toews, Paddy Torsney, Merv Tweed, and Mark Warawa.
click here for photos from the event!