Community Connections
A Leadership Nod from the House
Posted on: November 8, 2011On Tuesday November 1st, the Prodigy Group as well as the Chamber of Commerce, were recognized by the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The Prodigy Group’s Chair Jesse Szczepanowski and past Chair Janell Karst met members of the house regarding opportunities for emerging leaders in our province.
“I’m pleased to announce several guests who are visiting the House today from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, along with a couple of members of what they call their Prodigy Group, which is the group of (emerging) professionals that acts as an adjunct to the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and introduces (emerging) professionals into the networking opportunities available through that organization” said the Hon. K. Falcon., Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier. “I would ask the House to welcome Bruce Carter, John Jurisic, Janell Karst, Jesse Szczepanowski and Dan MacLaren, who’s here from Prince George. Would the House please make them all welcome.”
Minister Falcon acknowledged the Prodigy Group’s efforts towards assisting the province’s emerging leaders; efforts that include partnerships and charitable donations to Junior Achievement and Community Micro Lending. The Minister also expressed a desire to work alongside the BC Chamber of Commerce to develop joint opportunities for collaboration with other BC Emerging Leader groups in the future. The Prodigy Group is honoured to have been recognized by the Minister in support of emerging leadership within the province. This recognition is a great example of how the Prodigy Group’s community connections and mentorship programs are becoming more renowned and respected within the community.
The Prodigy Group Brings Message to Schools
Posted on: October 23, 2011Victoria’s emerging entrepreneurs are bringing the basics of businesses into elementary school classrooms this month.
The Prodigy Group, an offshoot of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, is providing mentor speakers to deliver Junior Achievement’s Business Basics Program.
Read more: Times Colonist article
Board Opportunities
Posted on: September 21, 2011The OCTA Collective is looking for a Board Member with Public Relations, Marketing or Communications experience. The OCTA Collective Society is a not-for-profit organization with charity status. Their mission is to provide all children with the opportunity to develop life skills by exploring their potential through arts experiences. ArtsREACH, delivers visual and theatre arts workshops to public elementary schools in the Capital Region, focusing on schools with a high population of children from low income families. Through these workshops, children explore themes such as building safe communities, multicultural understanding and respect for each other. For More information about the OCTA Collective please visit www.octacollective.com Interested parties – please email Lori or Lee at community@prodigygroup.ca
Centennial Daycare Society is seeking individuals to serve a term on their Board of Directors. Time Commitment Required: Evening Board meeting approximately every 1 ½ -2 months; some committee work as needed. Applicants must be: Community members with interest in supporting non-profit child care. Wish to collaborate and maintain positive communication with Board and staff. Knowledge and experience of business/administration, accounting, fundraising and personnel would be great assets to the Board. Minimum a two year commitment. Interested parties- please email Lori or Lee at community@prodigygroup.ca
Victoria Marine Rescue Society is seeking individuals to serve on its Board of Directors. VMRS is a charitable, non-profit, all-volunteer organization that provides financial support to Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Station 35. Station 35 serves the Victoria area with 24-hour year-round marine search and rescue. Our volunteers rely on the Society to maintain two rescue vessels, provide vital safety equipment, and support on-going training in search and rescue techniques, navigation, seamanship, communications and first aid.
As a Director, you will provide leadership for the Society and help ensure that the Station has the stable financial support it needs to maintain vital search and rescue services. Your governance experience in business or not-for profit organizations will help the Society develop strategies to attract funding from various sources and enhance recruitment of volunteer members. More information about VMRS is at: www.vmrs.org (site also includes info on how to join our rescue crew, which is a separate process). Interested parties- please email Lori or Lee at community@prodigygroup.ca
Teaching youth the basics of business
Posted on: September 21, 2011
In celebration of Small Business Month, Prodigy Group has partnered with Junior Achievement to teach youth in the Capital Region the basics of business. This October, Junior Achievement will introduce local students in Grade 5 & 6 to the concepts of business organization, management, production over four hours of in a local classroom. This week, in preparation, Junior Achievement hosted a lunch and learn orientation to help acquaint the Prodigy members with their upcoming teacher duties!
Community Micro Lending is looking for Mentors
Posted on: August 30, 2011You’ll walk alongside your mentee and Community Micro Lending staff as participants move from business idea to business implementation.
Mentorship commitment is once a week for about 8 weeks September to November and then biweekly after until January. (Mentors are able to continue their relationship after January if they wish.) Write to lisa@communitymicrolending.ca if you’re interested in being a mentor.
Community Micro Lending is also looking for volunteers for their Living Library. Become a resource in this library where you would be available on a one-off basis to share your knowledge or skills. The goal of the living library is to provide emerging entrepreneurs with a directory of accessible human resources within Victoria’s community. Living library participants will have the chance to interact and assist youth as they achieve their small-business goals. Write to kate@communitymicrolending.ca if you’re interested in being in our living library.
In partnership with Prodigy Group and in celebration of Small Business Month in British Columbia, Junior Achievement is teaching youth in the Capital Region the Basics of Business.
This October, Junior Achievement will introduce local students in Grade 5 & 6 to the concepts of business organization, management, production and marketing – and you can be a part of it! Prodigy Group members are invited to volunteer four hours of their time in a local classroom to facilitate this inspiring Junior Achievement program; Junior Achievement will host you at a lunch and learn orientation, provide the program and materials to take into the classroom, match you with a class of students and coordinate the schedule to ensure the experience is hassle-free. Volunteer to facilitate on your own or with a fellow Prodigy Group member!
Volunteering for Junior Achievement is a small investment of time with a big impact. Share your real-world business experience with youth in our community during Small Business Month. To register as a volunteer contact Deborah Wakeham, Regional Manager with JA… deborah.wakeham@jabc.org or call 250-380-6765.
Fundraising Efforts helps Micro lending go local
Posted on: February 18, 2011Community Micro-lending, a local entrepreneur empowering organization whom PG’s fundraising efforts benefited in 2009/2010 year, brings soul and savory to the community.
Check out this article in the latest edition of VillageVibe:
Community Micro Lending Fundraiser
Posted on: December 12, 2010Prodigy Group attended the Community Micro Lending Fundraiser event on November 16th along with Mayor Fortin and A-Channel’s Meribeth Burton to present a donation of $4,000 in support of this great initiative (see pictures below).
For more information about Community Micro Lending please visit their web site:
http://www.communitymicrolending.ca
(Now Expired) – New volunteer opportunity!
Posted on: September 1, 2010Host Mentor with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
Host Mentoring Services matches internationally trained professionals with mentors in the same or a related career to help newcomers learn about how their profession works in Victoria. Mentors share their professional knowledge and experience from a Canadian perspective, provide encouragement and support to a skilled newcomer, contribute to the betterment of their trade or profession, and learn more about the issues facing new Canadians. This is not a job placement or work experience program, but rather a chance for newcomers and local professionals to learn from each other and exchange professional knowledge.
