Volunteer recognition
Every year our Consultants and employees contribute thousands of hours of their own time volunteering for local causes.
Here at Investors Group, we recognize the value and importance of volunteering in all its forms. This is why we have created community support programs to recognize these individuals and in-turn provide much-needed funding to many charitable organizations across Canada.
Volunteer Support Program
Our Volunteer Support Program encourages Consultants, employees, retirees and their immediate families to volunteer and make a difference in their community by providing donations to charities that are close to their heart.
Recent recipient
Gord Pye, an Executive Consultant in our Bedford, Nova Scotia office, recently received $1,500 from the program to help in his continued efforts with the Nova Scotia chapter of the Canadian Paraplegic Association. Gord has worked on the Board of Directors of the association for the past eight years and has recently completed a two-year commitment as the board Chairperson.
“Our work helps assist persons with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities to achieve independence, self-reliance and full community participation,” says Gord. “The association needs funds from companies like ours because there are so many people who need help and we have such limited funds to provide that help.”
The Canadian Paraplegic Association of Nova Scotia offers a wide range of services in the areas of prevention, education, rehabilitation, advocacy, equipment, information and research. Gord helps the association by volunteering his time to help organize events like the Investors Group Golf Tournament, the proceeds of which all go towards assisting persons with spinal cord injuries. Between the tournament and other donations, the association receives approximately $20,000 per year from Investors Group.
“I volunteer because it’s my way of giving something back to the community,” said Gord. “I believe it’s important that every one of us who can should volunteer, even if it’s two hours helping out at the local food bank. Time is just as important as money, and the feeling you will get and the people you will meet makes volunteering so worthwhile.”
Employee Volunteer Award
The Investors Group Employee Volunteer Award recognizes the selfless volunteer efforts of our employees. This award is presented quarterly along with a $1,000 donation to the recipient’s charity of choice.
Our latest recipient – Nicole Wadelius
February, 2010
In recognition of her volunteerism, Nicole Wadelius has been announced as the Employee Volunteer Award winner for the fourth quarter of 2009. Administrative Assistant with Marketing, Nicole has generously given her time to Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Manitoba Chapter, Healing Hands Healing Hearts Art Show and Community Outreach Committee.
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Manitoba Chapter
Nicole decided to volunteer with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Manitoba Chapter, because she felt that protecting and conserving our environment is of extreme importance at this time due to increasing climate change and the decreasing number of species of plants and animals in Manitoba.
“I have been appointed the role of Marketing Director for CPAWS’ boreal wilderness calendar,” said Nicole. “A calendar is produced to raise funds and awareness for the organization’s initiatives in which Investors Group provides sponsorship funding for the calendar program. For this year’s 2010 calendar we performed calendar sales on the second floor at One Canada Centre, advertised the sales in Employee Bulletin and involved Consultants who were passionate about the environment to purchase calendars for clients.”
Community Outreach Committee
Nicole volunteered with the Community Outreach Committee to help organize and be a part of Investors Group’s contribution in making a positive difference in our community. She has been involved with many events and projects for the Community Outreach Committee such as serving at the senior’s teas, planning and presenting gifts for the children at the head office dinner, organizing the Baker’s Alley bake sale and coordinating the Christmas toy drive to name a few.
“The Community Outreach Committee really does have an incredibly positive influence that not only does amazing things for the community but allows our employees to get involved in helping others,” said Nicole. “It is a gift to be able to be a part of Investors Group’s philanthropic activities in Winnipeg and that is something that I feel all employees should have the opportunity to be involved in.”
Healing Hands Healing Hearts Charity Art Show
The Healing Hands Healing Hearts charity art show was produced by Nicole because she felt inspired to do something that could help spread creativity as well as inspirational energy to the young people of Winnipeg and to different parts of the world. This art show raised funds to purchase art supplies for a school in Kenya, build an orphanage in Haiti and support a free art program for kids in Winnipeg.
“By organizing everyone’s passions, positive influence and beautiful gifts we could create something that would not only create awareness of the affect a small group can have on others in need, but also to inspire others to manifest their own creative endeavours in ways that help people,” said Nicole. “Not only do I think we completed that goal but it was also a lot of fun which made the event that much more of a wonderful experience.”
Rewards of volunteering
“Volunteering is important because it gives an individual the opportunity to be a part of something great that truly makes a difference in the world and in the lives of others,” said Nicole. “Without volunteers so many programs that make our community so successful would not be able to exist. I believe that volunteering shapes volunteers into people who truly care about others and their community, so the more people volunteer the more our society will develop into a community of caring.”
“I would like to thank the CPAWS staff, CPAWS calendar committee, Wes Peters, Judy Morfitt, and Peggy Yuill for all of their hard work, support and incredibly helpful advice on the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Manitoba Chapter calendars,” said Nicole. “I’d also like to thank the Community Outreach Committee for all their remarkably inspiring work as well as to Richard Irish for introducing me to this wonderful committee; Free The Children, Open Doorways Orphanage, Art City and everyone involved in the art show for all the outstanding contributions they’ve made in the world that has inspired me in many ways; my employer, Neil Taylor, who not only nominated me for this award but has been a role model of exceptional volunteerism which has significantly influenced my volunteer work in the community.”
Nicole has decided to divide up the $1,000 donation between the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Manitoba Chapter and Red Cross - Haiti Earthquake Relief charity.
Past recipients
| Year | Quarter | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 4th | Nicole Wadelius |
| 3rd | Larry Wozney | |
| 2nd | Michael Klatt | |
| 1st | Paulette Rocan | |
| 2008 | 4th | Julie Labossiere |
| 3rd | Teresa Rydberg | |
| 2nd | Colleen Deckert | |
| 1st | Dorothée Umuhoza | |
| 2007 | 4th | Debbie O'Bray |
| 3rd | Neil Taylor | |
| 2nd | Auréle Courcelles | |
| 1st | Jessey Camara1 | |
| 2006 | 4th | Khang Pham1 |
| 3rd | Ginny Thiessen | |
| 2nd | Catherine Gilchrist | |
| 1st | Don MacDonald |
1 No longer employed with Investors Group.
President's Lifetime Achievement Award
The President's Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes employees who have made a long-term personal commitment to community service and demonstrate exceptional service to their community. This award is presented annually along with a $10,000 donation to the recipient’s charity of choice.
Our latest recipient – Colleen Deckert
May 2009
The lifelong volunteer works of Colleen Deckert, Director of Corporate Conferences & Incentives were recognized at our 2009 President's volunteer celebration. Colleen was presented with the award in recognition of her volunteer commitment and contribution to the community through long-term service to others. She also received our Employee Volunteer Award in 2008.
When a close friend of the family, Todd Davison, became afflicted with cancer, Colleen drew upon her passion for sport and her organizational talents to stage a series of successful events to raise money for cancer care and support. Through this experience she helped co-found the Believe in the Goal Foundation in 2006, which funds cancer care and support.
Believe in the Goal started out as an idea to organize a charity hockey game with NHL players who are home over the summer. The idea was a resounding success, with $50,000 raised in the first year and $150,000 raised since inception.
Colleen was also an active volunteer with the Manitoba and Canadian Handball Associations for 20 years and has fulfilled the role of President of the Manitoba Handball Association in 1996, President of the Canadian Handball Association in 1997, Chair of the 1997 World Handball Championships and Co-Chair of the 2005 Canadian National Handball Championships.
In recognition of Colleen’s award, the $10,000 donation was split between the Believe in the Goal Foundation and Manitoba Handball Association.
Thanks to Angie Pfeifer, Assistant Vice-President, Corporate Conferences and Incentives, for submitting the nomination.
Past recipients
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Colleen Deckert |
| 2007 | Neil Taylor |
| 2006 | Don MacDonald |
