Needing to purchase one more gift? I have a suggestion

On a new tangent today....
In order to maintain my ability to volunteer, I work at a part-time job.  As anyone knows, it isn't cheap being a volunteer with the cost of gas to travel to meetings and events, the cost to buy tickets to attend those events, memberships to belong to the organizations for whom one volunteers and so on it goes....

I started a new sales career with the Amway line.  I used to sell Amway way back in the mid 70's and my, oh my, has the product line changed in the intervening years!  Amway products were always "green" but are even greener now.  The product line has expanded to include makeup, healthcare products, gift cards, as well as an growing laundry product line (especially good for those on septic systems) and a whole lot more.  Check out my website for the full product line.

If you haven't finished your shopping yet, the gift cards are unique.  You decide how much you want to spend - your recipients gets the gift card and booklet - no prices or values are shown anywhere.  The recipient selects what they want, and it's delivered to their home.

Read more here. I have the $35 dollar card on hand now for the special price of $30 each if you buy one.  Buy 5 and you pay only $140 (that's $28 each). 

It begins at Home

This is an excellent article from Burlington Mayor, Rick Goldring's blog.  I've copied it here in its entirety.

A good place to start

Many of us have heard the story unfolding in the U.S. election campaign about Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney referring to 47 per cent of the U.S. population as receiving some form of social assistance and government entitlements. In a speech to a small group of loyal supporters he commented this group made no contributions to society.

Regardless of who wins the U.S. election, a significant portion of the country will vote for Mitt Romney and his party.

While in Burlington we are not directly affected by the outcome of the American election, and while we are all entitled to our own ideological views, the lack of empathy in this story is a real concern for me. It reflects a lack of compassion that has developed in our society and our own community as well.
The make-up of society is always changing. Changes in our economy and demographic generate much of this change as ebbs and flows create different circumstances. The gap between the wealthiest and the poorest is alarming.

As an example, my generation was able to go to university and fund their education. A summer job could pay tuition and books. Today, most young people do not have the same opportunity. Tuition rates are through the roof and young people borrow tens of thousands of dollars to get the education we desperately need them to acquire to be part of a competitive society.

The province is under tremendous pressure to restructure financially. Healthcare and social services are under pressure. There are significant outstanding liabilities for pensions and infrastructure. If we do not deal with these challenges, we will be passing on to our children a society in worse shape than when it was handed to us, leaving bills to be paid.

On the employment front, we struggle to see the job generation we need. It is difficult to pay off student loans at minimum wage, never mind becoming part of the active economy.

We live in the second best place to live in Canada, according to MoneySense magazine. That does not mean it is the best place for everyone.

Our community continues to have a 9-10 per cent poverty rate. Burlington is faced with the same social challenges as other cities — mental health, addiction, violence against women, gender equity, unemploy- ment, underemployment, affordable housing, youth and immigrant opportunities, support for those with disabilities and many others.

Many try and help, financially or through volunteerism. Our many non-profit organizations do excellent work to try to make a difference.

We can all contribute by being empathetic. Remember there are many in our community who need support — your neighbours, colleagues, friends at school and family members. Showing empathy for others is a good place to start.

I guess it's a case of putting panels together until you get the results you want. The results of a new government-appointed panel has been announced.  Unlike the panel appointed in 2008, which unanimously supported Slots at the Racetrack Program (SARP) and took a year for their consultations, this panel says to cancel SARP - after barely two months work.  I'm totally surprised because I believe OMAFRA to be one of the best government bodies in Ontario.  If you're so inclined, you can read the report here:  http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/transition/interimreport08172012.htm#slots

In 2007, the province appointed a 3-person strategic planning panel to develop a strategic vision for the Ontario Horse Racing and Breeding Industry.  “The Panel was charged with the task of examining the state of the horse racing and breeding industry (hereinafter referred to as “the industry”) and the development of a strategic vision and direction that identifies the challenges and opportunities that the industry faces, within the current gaming environment, in order to best ensure its continued growth in the future.”

While suggesting some change, the report said: “The Panel fully supports the continuation of the Slots at Racetracks Program at a minimum level of 20% of the revenue generated from slot machines at the racetracks. However, we also recommend that the Program be adjusted to better meet the objectives of enhancing wagering on Ontario product and enhancing the breeding of Ontario racehorses.”

Nowhere was it suggested that Slots at the Racetrack be canceled.  So what happened in the interim?

That government-appointed “Panel consulted with industry stakeholders, government ministries and agencies and other interested parties for input on all of the Terms of Reference and on any other matter that the Panel should consider. Without exception, all parties exhibited an unwavering commitment to the well being of the industry and its future within the broader gaming and entertainment markets.” (All bolding and Italics are mine.)

When the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Assoc (OHRIA)was created in 1994 it was estimated that there were 24000 jobs related to the industry, and was the 3^rd largest sector in the overall agricultural economy of Ontario.  It was also known that these jobs were largely unskilled labour and would be difficult to replace.  So, consider the comments that these people, who have never known another job, could be retrained for something else, and that the government would allocate $51million for re-training.  If we extrapolate that amount for the 51,000 minimum who will be affected today, that translates to $1000 per person.  I can’t imagine the kind of training that would provide.

 “While the stated objectives of the Slots at Racetracks Program (the “Program”) referred to the enhancement of live racing, sustaining the agricultural sector and the generation of revenue for general provincial purposes, clear benchmarks were not put in place to monitor its benefit to the industry. Rather, the government rushed forward to open slot facilities at racetracks as quickly as it could.”  So, rather than put benchmarks in place, rather than renegotiating the agreement, the government has decided to cut the program entirely and put an estimated 51,000 people out of work, thus destroying a vital rural agricultural economy.  

My grandmother would have called it cutting off its nose to spite its face.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HORSE RACING AND BREEDING INDUSTRY ON THE ECONOMY OF ONTARIO

“The most recent analysis by HLT Advisory (January, 2008, Vol. II, Sec. 3) used the spending of revenues minus operating expenses approach to measure the economic contribution of the industry. Overall, the industry had net revenues of $641M, including revenues from slots, available in 2006 for initial expenditure.”

This next is a very long quote but bears inclusion: “It should be recognized that many of these jobs are part-time in nature. As such, many more than 24,569 Ontarians count on the industry for part or all of their livelihood.  

"In a recent study by Economics Research Limited (ERL), September 2007, it was estimated that between 25,000 and 30,000 Ontarians are engaged in the ‘equine side’ of the industry on a paid or unpaid basis. These full time equivalent jobs equate to 48,750 full time, part time and casual opportunities. ERL also concludes that with employment from the slot operations at the racetracks included, 40,040 Ontarians owe their permanent full-time jobs to the industry and its associated activities. 

ERL calculates that when part-time and casual labour is included, over 65,000 Ontarians rely on the industry and its related activities for some or all of their employment. Using this model, the approximately 24,500 full time equivalent jobs cited in the HLT report would equate to a total of approximately 40,000 full time, part time and casual jobs. Were one to include the employment sustained by the slot operations at the racetracks, approximately 55,000 Ontarians have jobs in the industry and its related activities.

Again, it’s worth repeating, those stats are for 2008.  The numbers would have to be much higher in 2012.

Read the whole report here: http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/repository/mon/22000/283847.pdf

Closing Slots at Racetracks - just a further eroding of unions

No country has ever achieved widespread prosperity and created a large middle class without strong unions.

If the Ontario government goes through with its plan to wipe out Slots at Racetracks, putting 51,000 people out of work, it will result in further reducing the impact of unions in Ontario.  It's a form of union-busting. 

Union density in falling in Canada, the gap is widening between rich and the poor. The fallout from losing Slots at the Racetracks will be felt across Ontario but in particular our rural communities: trainers, breeders, growers, farmers, retailers, wholesalers, seed companies,veterinarians, farriers, fencing, transport, harness and saddle makers, trucks and trailers, building supplies, etc.

Since 1975, OLG lotteries, OLG Slots & Casinos and Resort Casinos have generated more than $28 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario.  That sentence was taken right from OLG's website. Twenty-eight billion dollars.

"Generations of hard-fought union struggles brought Canadians the eight-hour day and the weekend; workplace health and safety legislation and employment standards; income supports for new parents and training for unemployed workers; public pensions and minimum wages; protections for injured workers and equal pay for equal work.


"The international evidence shows unequivocally that where unions are strong they reduce the pay gap between workers and management, men and women, racial minorities and other workers. All over the world unions are a major force in reducing inequality and poverty, and broadening access to basic supports for everyone.

"But decades of watering down rules for capital investment and eroding workers’ statutory rights, combined with rapid globalization and technological change, has steadily shifted the balance of power towards employers.

"As a result, median wages and incomes of those working full-time full-year are today no further ahead than they were in the late 1970s, taking inflation into account. The economy may have more than doubled since, but many workers without a collective voice have lost ground. Their numbers are rising.

Today, CEO pay packages swell by double digit increases every year – in good times and bad – even while Canada’s bosses put downward pressure on wages, pensions and benefits.

The future of the middle class is anything but assured, particularly for younger workers and newcomers who work in parts of the economy where unions have made little headway in organizing.
The stakes are huge, the path ahead uncertain.
(For the full article, go to:  http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/commentary/why-unions-matter)

Will closing Slots at the Racetrack affect 2 By-election outcomes?

Three in Four Ontarians want the Slots-at-Racetracks Program Decision Reviewed; Only 17% support the McGuinty Government's Decision to Cancel the Program

TORONTO, Aug. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - In a significant rebuff to Premier Dalton McGuinty and Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, a new Abacus Data Poll conducted for Racing Future finds that most Ontarians think the provincial government should rethink its decision  to shut down the Slots at Racetracks program at Ontario's racetracks.

The poll comes as the McGuinty Liberal Government faces two by-elections that will determine whether or not Ontario will continue with a minority Liberal government or if the Liberals will be thrown out of office. If the government wins one seat, it will continue to govern - if it loses both, the Liberals could be out of office. (The current standings are Ontario Liberal Party: 52, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario: 36, New Democratic Party of Ontario: 17, with two vacant seats to be decided in the by-elections).

The Abacus Data poll - Evaluating the Slots at Racetracks Decision - was undertaken to measure public response to the Ontario government's decision to cancel the Slots at Racetracks program. The survey asked respondents if they were aware of the Slots at Racetracks program, if they supported the McGuinty Government decision to cancel the program, and if they thought the government should review and revisit the decision.

The Slots at Racetracks program was an agreement between the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and 17 horse racing tracks across the province that saw slot machines installed in the race tracks.
Race tracks received 20% of the revenue from the slots for hosting the slots in the facilities, while the local municipality received 5%. Each year, the provincial government received about $1.1 billion in revenue; the racetracks received $345 million, while municipalities received about $86 million.
In March, the McGuinty government and OLG announced they were cancelling the program without any consultation or notice with their partners in the equine industry.

The racetrack and horse industry employs 55,000 people in Ontario. Horse industry stakeholders were also shocked when the program was described by Finance Minister Dwight Duncan as a subsidy when it is a lucrative partnership agreement with the government.

Respondents were asked whether or not they were aware of the program before the date of the survey.
A majority of Ontarians were aware of the Slots at Racetracks program; this awareness was virtually identical among urban, suburban and rural residents. Respondents were asked whether they supported or opposed the McGuinty government's decision to end the program, based on the description provided and any existing knowledge they possessed.

Only a small minority of respondents (17% overall) supported the government's decision, while 41% were opposed and 43% were indifferent.
Demographically, Liberal supporters were most likely to support the decision (29%), while PC supporters and rural residents were most likely to oppose it (55% and 49%, respectively). Although Liberal supporters were more likely to support the decision, a plurality still opposed it (29% in support versus 41% opposed). Despite the fact that the program's cancellation was most likely to affect rural Ontarians, pluralities of respondents living in suburban and urban communities opposed the decision.


Respondents were asked: "Do you think the government should review its decision to end the program?" A large majority of respondents (76%) believed that the government should review its decision. Support for such a reevaluation was consistently high across political and regional demographic subgroups.

Partnership or Subsidy?
The survey also tested whether the public views the Slots at Racetracks program as a subsidy or as a partnership between OLG and racetracks across Ontario.  respondents were asked: "Some people consider the Slots at Racetracks program a government subsidy, while others believe it is a partnership between the government and the horseracing industry. Based on what you know, do you think the Slots at Racetracks Program is a partnership or subsidy?"

Overall, respondents were more likely to consider the program a partnership rather than a subsidy (40% partnership, 25% subsidy). Another one in three respondents (36%) were unsure of which better described the program.

Responses were relatively consistent across demographic subgroups.  However, PC supporters were most likely to see the program as a partnership (55%) and register the lowest unsure scores (23%).

Revisit Decision?
The survey commissioned by Racing Future and was conducted online with a representative sample of 502 respondents living in Ontario using an internet survey platform. A random sample of panelists was invited to participate in the survey from a larger internet representative panel of over 150,000 Canadians.  The survey was completed from August 10-12, 2012.

The data was statistically weighted by age, gender, region, and education level according to census data.
Since the online survey was not a random, probability based sample, a margin of error could not be calculated. The margin of error for a survey of 2,099 respondents using a probability sample is +/- 2.2%, 19 times out of 20.
SOURCE: Toronto Partners Inc.

For further information: about the results or Racing Future, please contact Dennis Mills at 416-587-1716.
For more information about the survey methodology, please contact David Coletto, CEO at david@abacusdata.ca or 613-232-2806.

Closing racetrack slots will devastate the economy

To the Ontario Government and those running in upcoming elections.  I am writing to say I cannot support a regressive program with the potential to devastate the rural economy.

I am writing in support of the horse racing and breeding industry in Ontario to provide you with the facts on why the province should leave the industry’s partnership with OLG alone. The revenue that the industry receives is not a subsidy, it is a revenue-sharing partnership between the OLG and the horse racing industry which provides the Government of Ontario with an increasing amount of revenue to the tune of more than $1 billion a year.

Premier McGuinty clearly mis-spoke when he referred to the "subsidy" to the horse racing industry.  In point of fact it was a revenue-sharing agreement between the government and the horse-racing industry: 75% of net revenue from the slots to the province, with remaining revenues split between track owners (10%), horse owners (10%) and host municipalities (5%).  Make no mistake - there will be a huge impact on the Town of Milton.

The Slots at Racetracks Program is the biggest contributor to the OLG’s profits, which are used to fund healthcare, education and municipalities in Ontario. The government owned, stand-alone casinos are losing money while the horse racing industry shares the burden of increased competition to its wagering dollar. Any change to this revenue sharing partnership, would not only have a negative effect on the horse racing and breeding industry, it could virtually end the successful revenue stream to the province, costing the government of Ontario $1.1 billion dollars per year.

Furthermore, the Ontario horse racing and breeding industry employs more than 31,000 people full time in our province.   Canada has been steadily losing full-time jobs.  The number of people who have to resort to low-paying, part-time work because they can't find full-time employment, has been escalating.  Losing 31,000 full-time jobs will be a major loss.  More than $1.5 billion dollars a year are paid in wages by the horse racing and breeding industry.

The industry spends approximately $2 billion a year in expenditures, 80% of which is spent primarily in rural, agricultural communities. An effort to save $345 million of well invested revenue, it will cost the government $1.1 billion in annual OLG profit and cripple the rural economy when more than $2 billion in horse racing and breeding industry expenditures disappear.

Rural Milton is an example of the success of the Slots at Racetracks Program:  a great economy has been built around the horse racing industry:  breeding programs, training facilities, feed growers and vendors, etc.  Taking away the Slots at the Race Tracks is a totally regressive step, and will hurt farmers and farming, and the local economy, throwing thousands of people out of work.

Slots facilities are also a way for Tracks to create a year round operation, allowing them to diversify, impossible without the presence/attraction of Slots.

The economics of this proposal just don’t add up. I urge the provincial government to take some time to understand just how beneficial the Slots at Racetracks Program is for the government and the people of Ontario and to leave the horse racing and breeding industry alone.

Sincerely,
Jan Mowbray

No good business sense in closing slots at racetracks

Taking a stand on the future of Ontario’s horse industry

This article appeared on the July 31st Editorial page of the Guelph Mercury.  It was written by Susan Farrelly, a Mercury Community Board Member. 

It takes a lot of courage when an individual, group of individuals or a corporation stand up for something they believe in, especially when it involves raising public awareness.
I witnessed this recently through the actions of my friend, Christie (Powell) Portwood, who wrote a moving letter to the editor of the Guelph Mercury, published on July 11, about the impact of ending the slots-at-racetracks program in Ontario. She has since become a very strong local advocate on this issue, using social media as a platform, further educating myself and her extended network of contacts on this important issue.
As we know, it sometimes takes a “village” to impact positive change.
During the day, I work for the County of Wellington. I am proud to say the county is taking a very strong stance, and leadership role, in educating the public and the provincial government against ending the slots program.
On May 29, a public meeting was hosted by the county for individuals concerned about the future of horse racing in Ontario and the impact of the slots removal from the racetracks on local industry. More than 250 people attended this meeting, led by Warden Chris White. At this meeting, Robert Wright, a veterinarian and renowned horse specialist, made a presentation on the economic impacts of horse racing provincially and in Wellington County.
The county moved forward in compiling the information obtained at this meeting and preparing a report on the impacts of cancelling the slots at the racetracks program. A five-minute documentary film (which will be screened Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at the Bookshelf cinema in Guelph) was also created, showing the human side of what is going to happen if the slots are removed from the racetracks in Ontario. Local individuals and business owners were interviewed for the film, including breeders, veterinarians, trainers, a café owner, a local mechanic and more.
Make no mistake, the province of Ontario will have much to lose if it moves forward with this initiative.
Over the past 14 years, the horse-racing industry in Ontario has benefited from the Ontario government’s several revenue-sharing agreements. Through these agreements, the government receives back 75 per cent of the net revenue from slots, with the remaining revenue being split between track owners (10 per cent), horse owners (10 per cent) and host municipalities (five per cent). Since 2004, as a result of the revenue-sharing agreement, Wellington County has received proceeds in excess of $3.5 million, and Centre Wellington Township, where the Grand River Raceway in Elora is located, has received proceeds to date of more than $12,344,000. The provincial government has received millions of dollars in tax revenue from these agreements to date, funding programs such as health care and education.
Ending the slots-at-racetracks program does not make good business sense.
Of the biggest concern locally is how much the residents of Ontario, and specifically the rural areas in our region, will have to lose if the slots are ended at the racetracks. There is so much money infused into Wellington County due to the strength of the horse-racing industry. Local businesses experience the benefit of having an influx of visitors to the area, investments are made in horses and infrastructure, and local businesses benefit both in hospitality and businesses ancillary to the horse-racing industry.
If the government moves forward with ending this slots program, businesses will close, jobs will be lost, families will suffer.
Ontario will lose.
After Tuesday, the county-developed documentary Restore the Programme, along with the report, will be available on the county’s website at www.wellington.ca. The county will be sending the documentary on disc, along with the written report, to all MPPs in Ontario.
View the video. Educate yourself. Share the video with your extended network. Raise awareness. Contact your local MPP, and remember: It takes a “village.”

Milton's Older Adult Strategy

Older adults are far more active than their parents, and their parents before them.  In fact, ask any "older" adult and they'll tell you that it's only the packaging that's changed -we're still the same person inside. 

Ensure active opportunities remain part of our future by having a say in the Town's Older Adult Strategy..

Follow-up Public Input Session
Review and provide feedback on the draft recommendations established after public input sessions held in April.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Milton Seniors' Activity Centre, 500 Childs Dr.

Your input on program interests, expectations and opportunities will help the Town understand the impact the growing older adult population will have on local recreation services.

If you are unable to attend, you can still review the recommendations and share your comments after the session until June 27 at: www.milton.ca/en/play/olderadultstrategy.asp
 
Spread the Word!
Help reach as many older adult residents as possible by forwarding this message to generate community awareness of the Older Adult Strategy.

Additional Information
For more information, online surveys and Older Adult Strategy progress updates, visit www.milton.ca/en/play/olderadultstrategy.asp or call 905-878-7252, ext. 2529.

Canadian Way of Life Under Threat

There are serious concerns about the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) Click here for the top ten reasons why CETA is bad for Canada.

The potential impacts to our society are huge - long-ranging and far-reaching. Interested in shopping local?  Our municipal, provincial, and federal procurement policies will be seriously at risk. 

Every level of government could be impacted by this legislation and that's why I've sent emails to Milton councillors, Ontario Premier McGuinty's office, Bob Rae's office, MPP Ted Chudleigh, MP Lisa Raitt and the Milton Canadian Champion.

If CETA is so good for the country, why is it being negotiated in the dark.   We must shine the light on CETA, and have fair discussion on all its ramifications before it's passed.  Once passed there will be no going back. We will be unable to un-do this action.

My signature on all my outgoing email says:  The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that is difficult.
If we make this single step (passing CETA) easy for the federal government, it will change our country as we know it.  Every step after that will be difficult.

We as a nation need to make a decision:  do we want to have control over our policies and programs or do we surrender this sovereignty to multi-national corporations and foreign governments? 

Our Canadian way of life is under threat as it never has been before.

Are you sitting on your BUT?

On February 28^th, I attended Milton Toastmasters’ 30^th anniversary where I heard one of the best speakers ever!

Susan Lamb-Robinson was the most amazing, and motivating, speaker.  She came out on stage and immediately spoke about having a big BUT.  My first thought was: “uh,oh a weight loss speech!” But, no. She continued on, that a great many of us have big BUTS. That we all sit around on our BUTS….

·         I could have been xxx BUT…

·         I could have got that job, BUT…

·         I would have done xxx, BUT…

·         I could have had xxx, BUT…

We’re all sitting on those BUTS instead of doing something.  We're letting those BUTS hold us back. It was an AHA! moment for me. Her message got my mind racing.  What BUTS were holding me back?  I may have accomplished a few things in my life so far BUT are there BUTS preventing me from achieving other goals?  

Let’s get rid of our buts. Let’s not leave any regrets behind us.

We had breakfast with friends a few days after hearing Susan speak.  I’ll give him the initial “B” for now.  After years of thinking and talking about it, “B” is getting off his BUT and going into business for himself. Sometimes it takes a lot of guts to get off our BUTS. The transition hasn’t quite happened, that’s why I’m sticking with just an initial for him just now.  Good luck, “B”.  I know you will do well.

If your company or group needs a motivational speaker, I can’t recommend Susan Lamb-Robinson highly enough.  She’s overcome a lot of diversity in her own life in order to put her BUTS behind her.

Thank you, Susan!

Women's Liberal Club

In an effort to make our area of the Liberal party more relevant, I am starting up a Milton Women's Liberal Club under the Women's Liberal Commission.  The first event will be a breakfast meeting:  7:30, March 8 - the International Day of Women.  There will be a speaker, discussion about moving forward, setting future meeting dates, etc..

By meeting as women, we find a common ground for our interests and our needs in order to move forward. By forming a group, we have a stronger opportunity for a voice in the future.

If you are interested in attending the first meeting, please let me know as soon as possible.  Details will follow as as we determine attendance numbers.

Canadian-made - going, going, gone!

There is an interesting column in today's Toronto Star by Martin Cohn
 http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1126357--cohn-how-canada-let-caterpillar-strip-a-plant-clean?bn=1http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1126357--cohn-how-canada-let-caterpillar-strip-a-plant-clean?bn=1


This didn't start with Caterpillar and certainly won't end there.  Sunworthy Wallcoverings of Brampton, one of the very very few profitable wallpaper manufacturers was bought out by an American company.  They took all the money out of it, stripped and gutted the facility, left it bankrupt....another manufacturing company lost in the abyss.  Although there was no government money involved, many many local jobs were lost, employee pensions lost their value, etc..

I appreciate that the Sunworthy case is a bit different given the government dollars poured into the one (Caterpillar) and not the other but it's part of the overall picture of Canada's loss of manufacturing structure, making us more and more dependent on other countries, whose best interests don't include those of Canadians.

Voting in Canada – or lack thereof!

I read a comment that said our vote is our weapon.  So why aren’t more people using that weapon, a weapon that is free (our ancestors already having fought for our right to vote), and takes only a few minutes to wield, instead of letting others speak for them?  To say, “my vote doesn’t matter”, is only an excuse not to vote.

Some of the non-voter turnout is due to a lack of engagement by the community, in the community – people are more transient than years ago.  Residing in an area for only 2-4 years, they don’t get to know who their representatives are, or who is running, what the issues are, etc.  Others just aren’t engaged in community matters: they don't feel anyone is listening, so they don't reach out.

I was elected to VP Membership for Halton Federal Liberal Association on December 8, 2011: my goal is to increase membership in the riding.  Liberals have less than three years to get better organized at the grass roots level, to “engage” the community, create better reasons to “wield those weapons”.

We need to create a dynamic organization, one that lets people know their voices are being heard and that their voices really matter.  I would be interested in people’s constructive ideas and suggestions about rebuilding membership.