LiveWorkPlay News DECEMBER 2010 (Archived)
LiveWorkPlay News DECEMBER 2010 (Archived)
This will be our last edition for 2010. Thank you for a great year! The next issue will be published in early February.
IN THIS ISSUE…
NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH LIVEWORKPLAY
GOT JOBS? FIND A GREAT EMPLOYEE!
FANTASTIC FESTIVE FAMILY FEAST
A COMMUNITY WHERE EACH BELONGS
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CHANGING LIVES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
IN THE NEWS: NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
YOUR SUPPORT APPRECIATED
NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH LIVEWORKPLAY
This year’s end of year party is quite exclusive with just 140 seats available. As of December 10, tickets were more than 50% sold. No wonder, with a reduced price of just $50 per person this year!
The party is priced as low as it can go – it is not a fundraiser, it;s all about community building with our members, volunteers, staff, and families!
So sign up now for a great time at great prices and take advantage of earlybird pricing incentives!
GOT JOBS? FIND A GREAT EMPLOYEE!
Paul Knoll is a LiveWorkPlay member who along with three colleagues was recognized for his long and productive career at CMHC with a Celebration of People Award on December 2. Paul made a great speech on the night of the award and also did an interview the following day on CBC Radio!
MBNA Canada Bank was a finalist in the employer category, recognizing their dedication to diversity and the employment of no less than eight LiveWorkPlay members!
MBNA was not chosen as the award recipient, but in the LiveWorkPlay community, but we know there is no stronger champion of people with intellectual disabilities in the workplace!
LiveWorkPlay helps match employers and people with intellectual disabilities for a great employment relationship. Click here for more information!
FANTASTIC FESTIVE FAMILY FEAST
It was a great turnout of 140 members, family, staff, volunteers, and special guests for the Festive Family Feast of December 10. The focus was on having a good time! There were a few fun announcements (including an animated dance competition) and about an hour of music with the talented Dave Milliken.
The Family Feast events just keep getting better! 
We have the data to prove it, thanks to our onsite polling and volunteer Lindsey’s efforts to tabulate them. About 2/3 of those in attendance reported having a GREAT time, with almost 100% reporting at least a GOOD time. 60% of those in attendance said they got to know somebody new. There was also some interesting feedback in the comments section. It’s all public information!
A COMMUNITY WHERE EACH BELONGS
It was an amazing Saturday morning and afternoon with Al Condeluci on November 20. A world leader in espousing the benefits of a non-systems approach to supporting a good life for people with intellectual disabilities, Al helped generate ideas, excitement, and commitment to making o
ur community a more inclusive place to be (see video). The event drew broad community representation, with participants that came from across Ontario. A special shout out to our guests from Pembroke and Durham North!
Condeluci’s presentation was part of a two-day conference available to self-advocates. This got underway on Friday with an event featuring Kory Earle, President of People First of Ontario and Richard Ruston, President of People First of Canada. Richard was surprised with a Champion of Freedom award (see video) as part of the evening’s proceedings.
This event was intended to launch a new People First of Ottawa chapter, but it was not known if there would be any interest from delegates. The election of three inaugural board members drew many nominations and resulted in some stiff competition! In the end Josee Boulanger was elected President, Jennifer Harris was elelcted Secretary/Treasurer, and Emily Menard is Vice-President. Jennifer and Emily are LiveWorkPlay members who know each other and they’ve been getting to know Josee, having already taken part in their first board meeting on December 10!
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CHANGING LIVES
LiveWorkPlay provides direct support to people with intellectual disabilities but the most important work we do is helping make connections in 
the community. That is made possible by our 100+ (and growing) volunteer corps!
Our volunteers find us (and we find them) in many different ways. This includes checking out the frequently updated opportunities listed with Volunteer Ottawa, or through special events like Timeraiser or volunteer fairs.
Volunteer opportunities are varied and many at LiveWorkPlay. One of the more traditional means of getting involved is supporting youth members to get out and enjoy the community on Friday nights!
Check out this video for some fun footage of a recent social outing.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
It was a very busy fall for the LiveWorkPlay Board of Directors. In 
addition to the normal rigors of their role, they enjoyed special consultations with Dave Hinsgburger and Al Condeluci.
With the retirement of Wendy Mitchell from the board in September, one of the first tasks following the AGM was to elect new leadership. LiveWorkPlay is proud to announce Marlene Floyd as the new Chair of the Board (read professional bio), and Cecelia Taylor as Vice-Chair (pictured right, next to Marlene on photo insert).
IN THE NEWS: NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
In our second story “Got Jobs? Find A Great Employee!” member Paul Knoll’s interview on CBC was already mentioned, but it bears repeating: he was excellent! Also a guest this past month on CBC Ottawa Morning was co-leader Kee
nan Wellar, who was discussing the role of social media and non-profit organizations.
Keenan and Fran Childs will be co-presenting a Social Media for Social Change workshop hosted by Volunteer Ottawa at the C3 Centre on January 11. Click here for details!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
If you would like to make a donation to LiveWorkPlay, please click here to donate online or use our new PDF donation form which now has options for credit card and pre-authorized withdrawals. You may also specify how you would like your donation to be used.
You can always contribute through the United Way. Download a United Way donation form that already has the LiveWorkPlay information included. The United Way has in the past supported LiveWorkPlay youth services, and may support other LiveWorkPlay initiatives in the future.
We hope you have enjoyed this 48th edition of LiveWorkPlayNews. If you have received an email about this blog in error and/or you would prefer not to receive future LiveWorkPlayNews messages, simply click here and follow the simple instructions. Click here for the web page that can be used by newcomers who would like to join LiveWorkPlayNews. Feel free to share the address with friends, colleagues, and family who might like to subscribe. Send story ideas to Keenan Wellar.