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Your Letters
Helps enormously
Being a widow on a fixed income [the magazine] sure
helps me enormously.
M. Blyth
Ottawa, ON
How to keep volunteers
When I read your editorial (March 2008) about how volunteerism
has slipped in recent years in Canada, I briefly considered
sharing my own experiences. I feared it would sound
like a complaint,which I try to avoid,so I let it go.In your May
issue there is a letter on the topic, and also Lorna Forman’s
column on the power of praise and appreciation.
When I retired, we lived in Kingston. I offered my services
first to a large, well-organized entity and was clear on my
application about what I could do, and about my health
restrictions. After an intensive course, my first (and last)
assignment was something that was contrary to my caveats, a
futile exercise, and a situation from which I emerged with a
three-week flu bug. Moving on, I offered myself to another
large,well-organized entity.After an application and interview,
I was given an assignment which turned out to be a five-year
commitment. I fulfilled it and knew that I was making a
unique contribution. However, except for an occasional perfunctory
set of questions about how many hours I had spent,
there was no further contact with the people in the organization.
In contrast, in the small U.S. city where we now winter
each year, volunteerism is a way of life. I spend probably one
third of my time volunteering with two organizations, one
with 700 volunteers and a smaller one with about 50. They
both offer regular education seminars on the work. In the
larger one there is a hierarchy of contacts. From each there is
regular e-mail news plus newsletters.Volunteer opinions and
suggestions are solicited.There is in each case a codified form
of public acknowledgments and appreciation as well as informal
thanks at various times.There are opportunities for social
events with other volunteers. There’s the old saw that comparisons
are odious. Maybe, but we can also learn from them.
Perhaps if organizations need volunteers in order to function
well and obtain funding, they might want to take a hard look
at how they deal with their volunteers.
Barbara Jones
Lansdowne, ON
More on strong bones
Great article by Catherine Morriset on "Strong Bones for
Life," (July/August, 2008). I wanted to let your readers know
that they can [also]get a free exercise program targeted at
building stronger bones by going to www.melioguide.com.
Margaret Martin
Licensed Physiotherapist
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Ottawa, ON
September 2008 • 22 • Fifty-Five Plus Magazine
All inclusive is better
While the article,“Dividing the Recreational Property Pie,”
(July/August 2008) did touch on many benefits of fractional ownership,
I was surprised to see that one of the most important
pros was misrepresented as a con.The writer stated that,“The
cost of [fractional] ownership is much higher than independent
ownership.” Not only is this statement inaccurate, it completely
contradicts the underlying benefit upon which the concept of
fractional ownership is based. When one compares fractional to
private ownership you actually get far more luxury and amenities
than you would likely ever have at your private cottage for
far less than you would pay if you bought one outright.Of significant
importance is the fact that this assessment applies to both
the initial purchase and the cost of annual upkeep. If you then
factor in the bonus of maintenance-free vacationing to this
appealing lifestyle equation,it clearly illustrates the very essence
of fractional ownership: less money plus less work equals more
luxury and relaxation. We thank you for drawing attention to the
concept of fractional ownership and encourage your educated
readers to visit www.lifestyleawaits.com should they wish to
gain some additional insight into this exciting vacation and real
estate opportunity.
ALGARVE
LongStays
INFORMATION
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Sandra Hinton
Wolfe Springs Golf and Waterfront Resort
Westport, ON
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