To Outreach or Not To Outreach

There are a lot of people who want to outreach to their community but never actually do anything about it.   These good-intentioned people often become overwhelmed with a passion to help “someone, somewhere” but cannot come to terms with general work, family and even church distractions to find the time to “make a difference”  within the community itself.  Many end up doing nothing because they are waiting for some kind of burning bush experience that will definitively tell them the direction they are to go in.  They become so focussed on making a mistake in God’s calling they end up doing nothing at all.   Others hold back from doing anything because they want to be sure that the project or mission they choose is where they are the most needed and will also reap major fulfilment benefits.  After all, if we’re going to make the time in our lives to answer the call, we at least want to get something out of it.

When I was a little girl in kindergarten, back in the days when we walked home from school alone (the sixties), I experienced a beautiful illustration of what my opinion is, in all of this.
It was January (or it could have been December) there was a fresh snow fall and little puddles along the side of the road, slightly snow covered.  I had a stick in my hand and was gleefully throwing it and then running to pick it up, sort of a human fetch experience that only six year olds can truly appreciate.  Until (cue in foreboding music) I threw the stick onto what I thought was a puddle but actually turned out to be an unmarked water-filled hole, dug by construction workers at the side of the road.  Of course, when I went to retrieve my stick, I fell in.  And of course, I could not get out.  I was literally up to my neck in freezing cold, January water with no help in sight.  So, I cried and I cried and I cried.  One car stopped.  My crying stopped and I was suddenly filled with hope that I would be rescued after all.  But, even though the driver began to get out to help, something made her stop.  She took a look at her watch, turned back to the car, without me, and then took off.  After that, other drivers came and went.  Some looked down at me and others chose to ignore me.  We’d all like to think the neighbours came running.  Nope.  And that was back in the day when all the moms were still at home.  And then an angel from heaven (no not really but she might as well have been one) a fine, kind,sacrificial lady came running up from a house down the road (my next door neighbour actually) and not concerned in the least about how wet she was going to get, dragged me out of the water.  Not only that, she took me to her house, gave me some warm clothes to change into and a warm blanket to wrap myself in, some delicious hot chocolate that removed all my tears, and called my mother. 

I’m sure I dripped water all over her house and I’m sure I disturbed her nice afternoon.  But she saw a need and she got involved.  She didn’t pray about it for a month to make sure that it was her calling (like the first lady who drove off) but she let herself get wet, let herself get uncomfortable, adapted her schedule to meet the need, and did it anyway.  There was no benefit for her in the least.  All the benefits were mine.  First of all, I was one very grateful little girl who thought she might stay in that puddle FOREVER.  Secondly,  this one little act of kindness that I’m sure she’s long forgotten, is still remembered by me to this day.

Still wondering where to get involved?  Henry Blackaby (he wrote Experiencing God) came up with a concept so wonderful, that when I heard about it 15 years ago,  it changed my life forever.  This concept explains why I do what I do and live where I live. It’s actually so simple that when I heard it, I realized I had been tripping over it for years.  He suggested that we look around and see what needs there are in our midst (neighbourhoods, churches, workplaces)that are not being met and then answer them.  He also suggested that we carefully observe what God is already doing through others to meet those needs and get involved in that.   Your church is filling up with missionaries?  God is calling the church into greater missions focus.  There’s a neighbourhood outreach down the street?  God wants YOU to get involved.  There’s a little girl standing neck deep in a giant puddle?   YOU pull her out.

Yes, it is that simple.

…And ONE for all

Volunteer Admin Assistant

This volunteer position is for a commitment of at least one year, approximately 10 to 15 hours per week to assist in the efficient day-to-day operation of City Kidz Ottawa and support the work of the Branch Manager. This position will give the recent graduate an opportunity to learn general office procedures and will give them insight into the non-profit/ voluntary sector as a career choice.

Responsibilities

• Use Word Office 10 software to prepare reports, memos,  documents and presentations
• Prepare Powerpoint Presentations for Saturday Playhouse
• Answering phone, dealing with general public
•  Pick up mail for distribution
•  Prepare and send outgoing mail, and courier parcels
•  Respond to general e-mails and direct priority emails to Branch Manager
•  Voice mail management
•  Purchase, receive and store the office supplies ensuring that basic supplies are always available
•  Filing
•  Provide secretarial and administrative support to Branch Manager
•  Make travel, meeting and other arrangements for staff
•  Assist with volunteer management
•  Updating social media from time to time
•  Administer petty cash according to established procedures

Provide Special Event Support

• Attend the Saturday Playhouse and other events from time to time to perform administrative functions as required by the Branch Manager

Provide Board support

• With the Branch Manager, prepare meeting agendas and supporting material for distribution
• Ensure the timely distribution of material to the Board
• Attend Board meetings (once a month) to take notes
• Draft minutes of Board meetings for review by the Branch Manager
• Create action list for management staff from board meetings

Qualifications

• High School Diploma
• Post secondary education in business, computers, or office management is an asset
• Proficiency in the use of computer programs for: Word 10, Excel Spreadsheets, Powerpoint presentations, Bookkeeping,E-mail, Internet
• Proficiency in the use of office equipment: Computer, Voice messaging systems, Printer/Scanner/Photocopier

Personal characteristics

• Demonstrate the following:
• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behaviour and business practices and ensure own behaviour is consistent with these standards and align with the values of City Kidz Ottawa
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of City Kidz Ottawa.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Stakeholder Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders to meet or exceed their expectations within the City Kidz Ottawa parameters.
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organization: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Experience

• 1-3 years experience in an office setting
• Or a recent Office Administration Graduate with professional references

Working Conditions

• Home office environment
• 10 – 15 hours per week over 2 days per week
• Monthly attendance at evening board meetings
• Attendance at special events as required (some evening and weekends)
• Reimbursement for mileage when conducting City Kidz Ottawa business (ie picking up mail)

Respond To:

Send your resume by email or mail to:

532 Montreal Rd., #220 Ottawa, ON K1K 4R4

613-796-3063

wendy@citykidz.ca

...And ONE for all

Volunteer Event Coordinator Still Needed

EVENT COORDINATOR

Do you like to plan events and fundraising?  We are looking for an experienced and creative fundraiser and event planner who believes in and and will be committed to putting in approximately 5 to 10 volunteer hours per week in support of our cause. Find out more about our organization that helps to break the poverty cycle in children at www.citykidz.ca/ottawa.

The Event Coordinator will be responsible for assisting the Branch Manager in designing, coordinating and implementing fundraising events to help raise money for City Kidz Ottawa. Our organization is particularly looking for the ideal candidate who will enjoy working with people, have good decision making skills and creative ideas for fundraising with the capability to multitask. To be considered for this position please reply to ottawa@citykidz.ca with a resume and two references.

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