Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - April 2, 2024, Winnipeg, Manitoba WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM ● B3 NEWS I CITY / WORLD TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2024 V OLUNTEER Manitoba is hoping to match non-profit organizations with people seeking their next volunteer opportunity at a recruitment fair later this week. The fair takes place Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Viscount Gort Hotel. Visitors will have the oppor- tunity to network with more than 55 non-profit organizations. “The fair is literally for everyone and anyone,” says Ashley Seymour, executive director at Volunteer Mani- toba. “There’s something that will suit everyone’s interest and availability.” Volunteer Manitoba and the Volun- teer Management Professionals of Canada — Manitoba Chapter are orga- nizing the fair to address the declining involvement in volunteering since the COVID-19 pandemic. In early 2023, Volunteer Canada re- leased the results of a survey in which 65 per cent of responding non-profits reported volunteer shortages. About a third of those said they had to cut volunteer programming as a result. “We’re trying to play a key role in education and awareness about the value of volunteerism and why it’s important to communities,” Seymour says. The fair is a great opportunity for Meals on Wheels, says Adam Rout, volunteer co-ordinator. The organization, which provides home delivery of nutritious meals to anyone who cannot prepare meals for themselves, relies heavily on volun- teers. “Opportunities like this — where we’re able to get out and interact with the public and tell them about our or- ganization and the important work that we do — are fantastic,” Rout says. “It’s one of those opportunities that doesn’t come along very often.” Meals on Wheels received an influx of applications when people were at home during pandemic lockdowns and looking for things to do. Now that people are, more or less, back to their pre-pandemic routines, Rout is looking for more drivers to deliver meals to the organization’s 300 clients. Anyone with a reliable vehicle who can volunteer for a few hours in the middle of the day is invited to apply. “It’s a really heartwarming place to work because there’s nothing but people giving, giving, giving here,” Rout says. The intrinsic rewards that come from volunteering are important, says Kyla Walton, volunteer service manag- er at Main Street Project. “It’s really important when you volunteer that it’s something you absolutely love because then you don’t feel like it’s an obligation,” she says. “You’re helping community mem- bers… and it’s also helping your (men- tal) health, which is really important right now.” Main Street Project offers a variety of services and is one of those orga- nizations in which the volunteer base hasn’t bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. Walton is looking for volunteers to visit with community members, make food and sort donations. She is also looking for volunteers who can lead community members in fitness and art classes during the day. “A lot of people think you need to have a lot of time, but you can volun- teer once per month and that helps an organization a lot,” Walton says. Seymour says volunteering is instrumental in driving change in the community. She hopes the recruitment fair can play a part in inspiring Winni- peggers to help others. “We really expect it to be a great day,” she says. “I encourage people to stop by and learn about what’s out there in the community.” Volunteers can RSVP at http://wfp.to/yPq. If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@gmail.com. Non-profits join forces in recruitment expo Dozens of organizations hope to attract volunteers at one-day event Volunteer opportunities THE following is a list of volunteer oppor- tunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. To learn more about Volunteer Manitoba programs and services, go to volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180. ● The Law Society of Manitoba needs people to serve on its board for at least a two-year term. The board sets the law society’s policy, including standards of admission and practice, and carries out corporate responsibilities such as policy-mak- ing, business planning and budgeting. Those interested in the regulation of the legal profession are encouraged to send their resumé to pbourbonnais@lawsociety.mb.ca. ● RAMS Adoption Centre needs cat cuddlers to provide love and care to felines waiting for their forever homes. Duties include interacting with cats and helping with tasks while following health protocols. Volunteers should have strong interpersonal skills, be physically capable of handling cats and be committed to the animals’ welfare. Volunteers must be 16 or older, able to work weekly shifts (including weekends) and pass a criminal record check (cost reimbursed). Located in Oakbank. Apply at http://wfp.to/jkI by April 30. ● Pembina Active Living (55+) needs a newsletter editor. The position involves curating content for the senior community and collabor- ating with businesses to ensure articles and ads are relevant to the demographic. A senior-friendly tone, clear communication, technological profi- ciency and an understanding of cultural diversity are essential. The role offers the flexibility to work remotely from home or in an office. The volunteer will be responsible for helping four times annu- ally. Background checks are required, with costs reimbursed. Apply at: wfp.to/jkx, programs@ pal55plus.ca or 204-946-0839 by July 1. ● Scleroderma Manitoba has openings on its board, for president and vice-president. Skills in leadership, problem-solving, organizational structure and advocacy are assets. The roles allow for remote participation in board and commit- tee meetings. Volunteers must be Manitoba residents, have excellent communication skills and have experience serving on volunteer boards and fundraising. The time commitment is a few hours monthly over a three-year term. Apply at sclerodermamb@gmail.com or 204-510-2855 by Sept. 30. ● The Assiniboine Park Conservancy is seeking 500 volunteers to fill a variety of roles in preparation for the busy summer season. Flexible scheduling and comprehensive training is offered. Volunteers will be trained at the park, the zoo or the Leaf and can take shifts at their preferred location. Must be 14 or older. Opportunities for adult volunteers include ambassadors, engage- ment ambassadors, visitor services concierge, special-events assistants, and facilities and grounds support. Youth ages 14 to 18 are encour- aged to apply for the zoo camp crew or zoo teen ambassador roles. Volunteers are asked to make a long-term commitment. A minimum commitment of 60 hours for adults and 40 hours for teens is required per year. Apply at http://wfp.to/jQC by June 17. ● The Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) needs volunteers for Homework and Education for Youth (HEY), part of its after-school programs. HEY runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Volunteers help with home- work in a supportive environment. Volunteers don’t have to be experts, only collaborative and resourceful. Ideal candidates are outgoing, patient and sensitive to cultural and educational diversity. A high school diploma and ability to tutor in one subject are required. Volunteers must commit to at least two hours weekly for three months, with preference for those who are available until the end of the school year. Must be 18 or older, with mandatory background checks covered by IRCOM. Apply online at http://wfp.to/NNJ by June 30. ● The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba needs volunteers for the 35th annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic. The event has welcomed more than one million children and their stuffed animals. Kids learn that the hospital is a helpful place, making them feel comfortable in health- care settings. Roles include helping with activities, setup, guest services, entertainment and more. Sign up at http://wfp.to/jCl by July 31. ● Canadian Parents for French — Mani- toba needs bilingual volunteers to participate in the 2024 provincial level of Concours d’art oratoire. The event is Canada’s largest annual French public-speaking competition. Thousands of students participate every year in communities big and small for an opportunity to win prizes and/or scholarships to post-secondary institu- tions. Email Kaylee Green at kgreen@cpfmb.com to register. ● The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to http://wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Ashley Seymour, executive director of Volunteer Manitoba, says there is a position for just about everyone at the organization’s upcoming recruitment fair. AARON EPP VOLUNTEERS Interfaith Passover seder builds bridges in community: rabbi WINNIPEGGERS who want to learn more about Judaism and its traditions are invited to an interfaith Passover seder. The seder, which is being hosted by Congregation Shaarey Zedek and B’nai Brith in Manitoba, will take place at the Asper Jewish Community Centre cam- pus on April 11. “It will be pretty much like the same thing any Jewish family would do at home for Passover,” said Rabbi Anibal Mass, who will be leading the event. During the seder, participants will be able to learn more about the Passover story, what the various elements of the meal signify and also about the Jewish tradition of asking questions during the celebration. Those questions highlight why the Passover seder is different from meals on other nights, said Mass, who is a teaching rabbi at Shaarey Zedek. At the same time, he said, Christians will be able to learn more about the roots of their own practice of commun- ion or Eucharist, he said. “It’s deeply connected to the Last Sup- per with Jesus in the New Testament,” Mass said, adding it will help Chris- tians learn more about their “common ground” with Judaism. For Mass, who has been involved with the interfaith seder since its beginning about 25 years ago, the event is an an- nual highlight. “It gives me enormous joy to do it,” he said. “I think it appeals to the educator in me.” In addition to helping people learn more about the Jewish tradition of Passover, the event is also intended to “build bridges and community” in the city, he said. “It is a spiritual, not a political event,” he added. For Adriana Glikman, national pro- gram co-ordinator for B’nai Brith Can- ada, the goal of the seder is to share “the message of peace and freedom for everyone” and to “reach out to people from other faith groups and strengthen relationships.” This is especially important now dur- ing this time of tension over the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, she said. “The interfaith seder will take place in a welcoming environment,” Glik- man said, noting in the past it was held at Shaarey Zedek and included a tour of the synagogue. Due to renovations at the synagogue, it is being held this year at Asper Community Centre cam- pus and will include a chance to view a Torah scroll. Passover is one of Judaism’s most im- portant holidays, commemorating the exodus of the Jewish people from slav- ery and their captivity in Egypt. The story of that exodus is told with rituals, food, wine and song. The seder begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $36 for adults, $25 for students and $20 for children under 12. The deadline for registration for tickets is Thursday. To reserve a spot, call 204-487-9623, ext. 180, or go to http://wfp.to/ymY. faith@freepress.mb.ca JOHN LONGHURST Germany becomes biggest EU country to legalize pot possession SAMMY WESTFALL GERMAN cannabis campaigners and aficionados lit celebratory joints at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate at midnight early Monday, gathering for a legal “smoke-in” to mark the nation’s newly liberal- ized law on marijuana coming into effect. Germany’s government passed legislation allowing adults to pos- sess small amounts of the drug, making it the largest European Union country to legalize it for recreational use. Adults can now carry up to 25 grams (nearly an ounce) of ma- rijuana and keep up to 50 grams at home. They can also grow up to three plants for personal use under the law that was passed by Germany’s federal council last month and took effect Monday. The purchase and sale of canna- bis is still prohibited and can lead to fines and imprisonment. Adults who don’t want to grow their own plants, however, can join “cannabis clubs” starting in July. They are licensed non-profit growing co-operatives capped at 500 members who must “actively participate in the cultivation” to access the club’s cannabis. “The law does not provide for passive membership that is aimed sole- ly at purchasing cannabis,” the Bundesrat, effectively Germany’s upper house, said in its announce- ment of the law. Marijuana has slightly more restrictions for young adults be- tween ages 18 and 21, and it is still illegal for minors. “Today, the state is ending decades of police harassment of harmless cannabis users. This is a huge step in the right direction,” said Georg Wurth, director of the German Cannabis Association, which has been campaigning for cannabis legalization for decades. “The whole world is looking at Germany today. There will be many imitators.” Though the amounts permitted in Germany are relatively small — adults are allowed to possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower in New York, for example — the new law still makes Germany one of the most lenient countries on ma- rijuana in the European Union. Malta also has among the bloc’s most open laws on marijuana, allowing adults to carry up to 7 grams, though smoking in public is still prohibited. Luxembourg last year began allowing residents to cultivate cannabis for person- al use. Despite the Netherlands’ reputation for being relaxed on marijuana, it is still illegal to pos- sess or sell marijuana there. But is does have a policy of “toleration” that allows coffee shops to sell small quantities of the drug. At the Brandenburg Gate at the turn of midnight from Sunday to Monday, people danced and played music, held signs and took photos with a large fake cannabis plant, while filling the air above them with a cloud of smoke. “We don’t want to be criminals!” read one at- tendee’s sign. “Celebrate the end of the can- nabis ban with us legally! You can ignite at 12 a.m.” the German Can- nabis Association’s Berlin chapter wrote on social media to promote its event. The legislation was brought by Germany’s ruling coalition, made up of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the Free Democrats. “Cannabis consumption was al- ready around yesterday and has been increasing. Now it is com- ing out of the taboo zone,” wrote Health Minister Karl Lauterbach of the SPD on X. He said the new legislation is better for addiction help, youth prevention and com- bating the black market. Some within the federal govern- ment expressed concerns about the law leading up to and after its passage. Friedrich Merz, opposition leader and head of the Christian Democratic Union, in a March 24 statement lodged concerns about traffic risks caused by “stoned drivers,” youth health risks and bureaucratic and judicial burdens if past criminal convictions are overturned. He has vowed to over- turn the law should his party win in national elections next year, lo- cal media reported. — The Washington Post ;