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 – Larry Wozney
November 2009
About 20 years ago, Larry Wozney, our 3rd quarter 2009 recipient, felt restless and that something was missing in his life. A void he couldn’t quite understand. His brother suggested getting involved with the Knights of Columbus.
The Knights of Columbus challenged Larry by taking him out of his natural comfort zone. New members were put to work early, so Larry found himself organizing and chairing meetings and speaking in public – things he never thought he’d do before. To his surprise, he found the work fun and the friendships rewarding. This set him on a course of volunteerism that has seen Larry get involved with different organizations in the community and many within our company.
“It gave me an appreciation for my contribution and utilized the fun element that really made it effortless,” recalls Larry. “And I think a lot of volunteering opportunities are like that, they are rewarding in so many ways - it's not all hard work. You work with great people for great causes, the people are optimistic, so it makes for light work.”
The volunteer spirit that was ignited through his church found its way to us, and over the years, Larry has served as a member or volunteer for almost every one of our committees and events – from United Way and the Social Committee to the Community Projects Fund Committee and Workplace Health and Safety Committee.
He’s painted buildings for our partner charities, served food at community dinners and even moonlighted as Dr. Goodbear and Santa Claus, all while having a full-time job as a Personal Financial Planning Specialist in our Advanced Financial Planning Support department.
Larry sees it as all part of the job, and is grateful for our support:
“I think it's vitally important that companies are active in the community,” he says. “I believe that we cannot go on taking out of a community without putting back. Conscientious companies, like people, are needed more than ever to continue giving back to their communities to make the community strong. Volunteering is not about you, but what you hope for, for the community at large.”
In addition to his volunteer activities at work, Larry is a faithful blood donor, with 69 donations to date. He’s gone door-to-door canvassing for the Kidney Foundation, worked with high school students on a Junior Achievement business venture and sandbagged river properties during the 1997 flood.
While each of these involvements has its challenges and rewards, Larry’s volunteer work with Special Olympics has a special place in his heart. For two years, Larry, together with Investors Group colleague Ann Alaimo, helped supervise and assist adults with learning disabilities in physical activities, something that he regards as a rewarding and humbling experience.
“Our friends at Special Olympics were always so excited about getting together with us 'leaders' that their enthusiasm rubbed off on us,” he says. “We always had a blast, and you know what - it was playing dodge ball, floor hockey, throwing baskets, badminton. I don't know who got more out of it, them or us. A simple gesture and 2 hours out of my time made such an impact on a group of people, it made me realize how important it can be to others that you give of yourself. I believe it was there that cemented my belief that any little thing I could do, could be very significant in the eyes of others.”
Larry’s earliest volunteer involvement led to his eventual appointment as Grand Knight of his parish council, and while he grew as a volunteer, his joy has also come from mentoring others and seeing them grow as volunteers.
“I have met a number of very special people in my volunteering who have all had a positive impact on me,” Larry concludes. “There is really nothing we cannot accomplish if we put our minds to it and give it an honest effort. And we all will be better for it. I've always said – 'Try your best, try your hardest, and have fun'. That's a lot like volunteering.”
In recognition of his award, a $1,000 donation was made to the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation. Larry also received a plaque and gift card to commemorate the occasion.
Thanks to Mike Turenne, Senior Personal Financial Planning Specialist with Advanced Financial Planning Support, for submitting the nomination.
Past recipients
| Year | Quarter | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 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 |
