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Working to Make Dreams Come True

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 Backstory:

1940: It took just under a year for dormant depression-era Brandon to turn into an active war training centre after Canada joined Britain in declaring war on Germany in September 1939.

The army and air force each set up self-contained training communities within city limits. A few kilometres to the north, an aerodrome was quickly being constructed.

This community, No. 12 Service Flying Training School, would join similar sites across Canada in fulfilling its training commitment to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

This joint endeavour between Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, and Australia produced 131,553 aircrew and 80,000 ground crew to achieve what Winston Churchill called “Canada’s greatest contribution to the Allied victory in WW II.”

In 1981, a group of veterans formed the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Hangar No. 1 on the site of No. 12 SFTS to honour the men and women who trained under The Plan.

 This is the only museum dedicated solely to preserving the history and artifacts of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan of 1939-1945. It was named a national historic site in 2001.

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We are in the process of creating a living history museum to show the daily life of the young airmen and airwomen, from Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, who lived and trained on the site.

It’s very satisfying to see the museum evolve. When a project is completed we know it happened because of our drive and resolve.

People feel the ambiance of walking into the hanger and seeing aircraft, which were restored on-site, in their proper setting.

I’ve always loved heritage and wanted to work at a museum. After finishing a degree in history, I completed a program in Museum Management and Curatorship, followed by a four-month internship at the Royal Artillery Museum in Shilo, in 1995.

There weren’t any museum job openings in the Brandon area, so I got a job as a furniture refinisher and said, ‘well, at least I can work on restoring our house.’ My wife, Trina, and I had just bought Villa Louise, built for Brandon’s first doctor in 1888, and is a provincial heritage site.

Then, in 1998, the provincial government provided the Museum with a grant, from the Manitoba Signature Museum program, which was dependent on hiring a full-time executive director. This was a perfect fit for me. So, I applied, was hired, and started at the Museum in February 1999.

This job is amazing — where else do you get to live history and work with the people who made it happen. I’m grateful that I got to meet so many of the veterans who founded the Museum.

I work with the volunteers and the board to ensure that the veterans’ dreams are carried forward. The volunteers inspire me with their dedication to making sure the story of the British Commonwealth Air Training plan lives on.

This is not only a Brandon story, it’s a Canadian story. It’s a memorial to those who trained under the Plan on sites across Canada and served.

One of my favourite things about this job is talking to visitors and finding out how they are connected to the Plan. We get people from across Canada and other parts of the world who come to see where a member of their family trained to fight in an air war.

Securing funding for the Museum is ongoing and is obtained in several different ways. Applying for grants is a big part of my job.

We do our best to maximize our grants. When we were restoring the hangar we initially bought windows for the building. But after paying $10,000 for seven windows, we decided to buy our own woodworking equipment and volunteers restored the rest of the windows. We’ve been able to earn money by using the equipment to help others with their restoration projects.

We fly our aircraft as it’s better for them to fly, although not many museums do that. We earn money when our aircraft are invited to fly in airshows.

Our Canteen is rented out for events and the Ladies Auxiliary is active in fundraising. The gift shop makes money — it has unique items that people want to buy.

We also host events on our site but we have to be mindful of the financial risks involved. We’ve raised a million dollars with our ongoing Above and Beyond Capital Campaign.

I also help out wherever I am needed — being the M.C. for our events, helping with restorations, and, as I’m 6′5, when they need someone tall to help with a particular task. I just adapt to the situation.

— By Brandon Now
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Working Through Barriers to Accessibility

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Whitney Hodgins works as the Brandon University Students Union (BUSU) Accessibilities Director and is also a full-time student. 

In addition, she has taken on a voluntary position as Accessibility Commissioner with the Canadian Federation of Students, Manitoba.

Whitney was recently named an Outstanding Female Student for her work as an accessibility advocate.

I became involved with accessibility on campus for the first time when I was asked by administration to help develop an accessibility plan for BU.

Then someone asked me if I going to run for the accessibilities director position in the BUSU election.

After looking into it I found that a lot of the previous directors only lasted two to six months before leaving, usually because of family or academic issues.

I decided to run, and after being elected, set a goal that no matter what happened I would finish my term. I owed it to the students to stay and be a voice and representative for them.

I’m now finishing my second year, and have just been elected to serve for a third term.

Students come to see me for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it’s an ‘I’ll talk, you listen’ situation, or they ask me ‘how did you get through this barrier’?

They might need reassurance or emotional support — it hits home when I tell them, ‘it’s okay, you can get through this,’ because it’s another accessibilities student saying it.

Some students come from communities where they felt stigmatized for having a need. I tell them that it’s okay to have a need, it doesn’t make you any less of a human being to need help.

I know from having been diagnosed on the autism spectrum, and having anxiety and depression, that mental health can be a barrier.

A student who was perfectly comfortable in high school can become very anxious at university, and it’s a problem they haven’t dealt with before.

We all have anxiety, but for some people it gets out of control and they need assistance to manage that. I let them know about resources that offer help, such as the Student Services Counsellors and Student Accessibility Services.

I’m also on various boards and committees as an accessibilities representative. One of my projects was looking at blueprints for a renovation to the bookstore.

It was an opportunity to see what the barriers were for someone in a wheelchair and make accessibility recommendations.

Because I’m making a difference on my campus and have an accessibility need, organizers ask me to speak at their events.

It ranges from giving a presentation to a group of psychiatric nursing students in BU’s Health Studies Faculty, to speaking at national academic conferences.

Being invited to attend national conferences allows me to connect with accessibilities directors from other provinces and learn about what they are doing. I always come back with ideas on how I can help students.

I really enjoy the work I’m doing — people are receptive to my input, so I feel it has purpose and value.

—  by Brandon Now
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When Work is All in the Family

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Brandon’s real estate sector dates back to May 1881 when, having finished laying out Brandon’s fledging townsite, the survey crew moved on, and agents such as J.W. Horn, who was first on the scene, started selling lots to entrepreneurs eager to open their start-ups.

By October, there were 57 commercial outfits — among them, a flour mill, saloon, shoe store, billiard hall, butcher shop, and nine grocers. Our downtown’s retail sector was on its way.

Meanwhile, real estate broker, James Johnston, sold lots to prospective home owners. He left a lasting mark on our residential landscape — his home, Johnston Estate, built in 1881, is one of the oldest single family residences in the city. Privately owned, it is a municipal heritage site.

These days, says StatsCan, 345 Brandon professionals work in real estate. Agents are on the front line, helping those looking to buy or sell a home, set up shop in their own building, or become an investor — among them is Tyler Plante:

After playing professional hockey for eight years, I started working with my father, Cam, in 2016. I was nearly 30 years old, the age when I had always planned to retire from hockey, and having had several injuries and nine surgeries, I decided it was time.

I’ve always followed in Cam’s footsteps. We both played for the Wheat Kings. He played hockey in North America and Europe. I played in the U.S, Sweden, Italy, Norway, England, and Germany.

Cam started in real estate in 1998 and says working together has given him new energy. He’s got the experience, but I’ve been able to play a part. Before I came he didn’t even have a website.

I’m bringing him into the new age, now we’re on facebook, twitter and instagram as well as having a website. This helps people to get to find out about us — everyone knows someone who is looking to buy or sell a house.

I’ve invested in real estate in the past so I know how it feels to be the client and how I want to be treated. My mindset is not to think about the competition. In hockey there is always someone who wants your job so you just focus on working hard. Now I do that for my clients. I make sure to explain the process, answer their questions and accommodate their schedule.

In real estate you’re dealing with emotions. When a couple sells their house they are both happy and sad. There’s a tear — maybe they got married there, it’s where the kids took their first step. So many memories, good and bad, are involved when people are buying or selling a home.

Selling someone their first house is exciting. They’re happy and I’m happy that I’ve helped them find what they want. You build a rapport with people when you’re helping them find their home and we stay in touch.

The transition into real estate from hockey wasn’t difficult. I’m a people person and I like to work as a team. There’s great support group here at Royal LePage. Job shadowing has really helped, and I have Cam as a mentor. It’s great to work with my dad. He’s my best friend.

—  by Brandon Now
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Working on the ‘Greening’ of our City

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The graceful tree canopies shading Brandon streets are the legacy of master nurseryman, Henry Patmore, who got the City’s urban forest off to a sound start over one hundred years ago with a variety of boulevard tree plantings.

Patmore’s son, Richard, developed the Patmore Green Ash, a hardy, fast-growing shade tree, in 1976. Ideal for boulevard and residential planting, it became popular across Canada and the U.S.

But now, planting any ash tree variety is not recommended, thanks to the Emerald Ash Borer. Evidence discovered in November 2017 showed this invasive beetle has now spread to Winnipeg from Ontario, where it destroyed 20 million ash trees.

There is no sign of the beetle in Brandon but the City is being vigilant.

About 15,000 ash trees are on public property and an unknown number exist on privately owned land.

Developing a plan to keep our urban forest healthy is one of the projects Lindsay Hargreaves is tackling as Environmental Initiatives Coordinator:

I took a gamble that gave me a chance to work on environmental issues and it led to the job I have now.

In high school I became interested in environmental science and went on to get a diploma in Environmental Assessment and Restoration, and then a Bachelor of Agriculture degree in environmental science.

There weren’t any openings here for environmental jobs when I came back to Brandon after graduation in 2009. While I was trying to figure out what to do next, I saw an advertisement for part-time work with a four-year environmental pilot project.

Although it wasn’t a permanent job, I decided to apply. They hired someone else  — but when she quit after working four days, I was offered the job.

So, I began working for the provincial Community Led Emissions Reduction program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community, and in city operations.

When CLER ended in 2012, the City hired me to work on community and corporate environmental programs as the full-time Environmental Initiatives Coordinator.

My job involves working with City staff, the Brandon Environment Committee and others in the community on the objectives of Brandon’s Environmental Strategic Plan.  The first Plan came out in 2007. It was updated in 2013 and now I’m working on an update for 2018.

I co-chair the Water Conservation Committee and wrote the city’s first formal Water Conservation plan, which was developed by the committee.

It sets out procedures to reduce per capita water consumption by 30 percent over the next 30 years. We meet quarterly to see that the plan stays on track.

I worked with a steering committee to develop a brownfield strategy that includes a financial incentive to encourage owners to remediate their contaminated properties.

I’m also finishing an Urban Forestry Management Plan that includes a tree protection policy, and an integrated pest management plan.

There are often requests to do projects that aren’t part of my schedule. Last year, I was asked design a rain garden at the airport as part of a storm water management plan for the airport’s LEED certification.

I consulted with the engineering department and Assiniboine Hills Conservation District for help in planning the garden. It will be ready this spring.

In 2010, I designed the Waste Reduction School Challenge to educate elementary school students about recycling in a way that would be fun for them and fit in with their school curriculum.

The Challenge is really popular with the teachers and the kids. We’ve also shared the program with other municipalities across Canada.

I created Enviro Expo in 2013. It’s a day-long series of interactive workshops geared to students in grades three to six. Volunteer presenters make the workshops interesting and fun — registration for the Expo usually fills up within four hours.

I also plan events that involve the public — Brandon Earth Day Celebrations, Eco-Day, and Community Clean Sweep.

My job involves a lot of research, which I enjoy. I’m always curious to find out what’s out there and what’s achievable for us.

— by Brandon Now
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Working to be a mentor, not a manager

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I’m responsible for the technology side of the Westman Communications Group’s business operations centre; telephone, internet, and video services; and three radio stations.

My biggest job is planning, risk management, and staying abreast of technical advances, then making decisions with my team on which path to take.

I’m also an ambassador for Westman Communications.

I represent our organization’s interests both in the United States and Canada as part of a larger group.

I work with the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance which represents 115 independent operators. I’m the Chairperson of the Technical Review Committee.

We’re one of only two CCSA members eligible for membership in the National Cable Television Cooperative. It represents 850 independent cable companies in the United States and Canada.

I serve on the Technical Advisory Committee as Co-Chair and Technical Advisor.

NCTC operates as a programming and hardware purchasing organization for its members.

Vendors say to smaller guys like us, ‘we almost don’t want to do business with you; you take as much time as a bigger operator.’ The guys in the U.S. who say they are small have 180,000 to 2.2 million customers — we have 25,000.

There are many advantages for us to belong to this group, so we worked to make ourselves known within NCTC.

Our team spent a lot of time being the go-to technical team for that organization. I’m so proud of them. This is a team that says, ‘we may not know the answer but we’ll find out.’

We were the first Canadian independent operator to launch TiVo for NCTC.

And, the first in Canada to have a virtual digital video distribution system (DAC). For that, the global manufacturer, Arris, recognized us as an industry pioneer.

We also have the latest fibre optic technology.

We were one of the first in Canada to employ DOCSIS. With this international telecommunications standard, the internet can run on the same line as cable TV.

We’re involved with CableLabs, the innovation, research and development lab that built DOCSIS.

Their Chief Operating Officer recently came here to talk to us about how we can work together on the next generation of technology, and where we see it’s going to go.

I have several department managers answering to me. The people under them also answer to me.

I never wanted to be a manager. I’m a technologist and I always disliked managers.

But after I came to Westman in 2009, I had an opportunity to take a Dale Carnegie course on human relations.

It changed my life. I became a group leader. Now, I’m being coached to become a leader.

Dave Baxter, our CEO has been a phenomenal mentor to me, he’s enabled and empowered me.

After being guided by Dave, and the Dale Carnegie courses, I realized I didn’t want to be a manager. I wanted to be a mentor.

I used to think when filling a position that it was easier to train someone new. But then I realized it was better to assist someone to move up.

Every staff member has an opportunity to grow within our organization.

Now, I mentor two people a year. The biggest thing I’ve done is work to build trust with people. That’s the foundation for everything.

Their goals are my goals.

I help prepare staff members to reach their objectives, then watch them grow and blossom.

When we need to hire from outside, I want to make sure the person will fit within the dynamics of our organization.

I have to worry about my existing employees, who are like family.

Nobody comes to work to do a bad job.

We all want to come to work to try to create and make a difference.

— by Brandon Now
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Leading a Vibrant Community Worklife

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Brandon’s community development professionals work to support residents’ contributions to our city’s vibrancy.

Leadership is also part of the mix — they use imagination and creativity to launch new ventures with the help of like-minded volunteers and organizations.

Among the workers in this sector is Community Development Coordinator, Hope Switzer:

A big part of my job at Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation is working with groups looking to access funding for their project through our Community Projects Grant.

Most of the time, the groups have a clear vision of what they want and just need a bit of help to fill out the application form.

People also come to me with an idea for a project and ask about funding options.

I tell them what’s available through our grant, and let them know about other funding agencies that I can also help them apply to.

Sometimes groups want to know where to go for help with their project and I can advise them about that.

Or, I might know of another group that’s working on a similar project, and suggest they contact them.

I don’t decide on the allocation of our funds. I take the applications to our funding committee, and answer any questions the members may have about the projects.

If I’m doing a project of my own, I’ll call on people who I think will be interested in participating. Last spring, I was inspired to start Incredible Edible Brandon after I saw a TED Talk about this popular urban community garden project.

I didn’t have trouble getting other groups interested in taking part. Members of the Environment Committee and the City’s Community Services became involved, and I received sponsorships from businesses.

People really liked the relationship between community development, businesses, and food security.

Overall, it was a success. We had twelve planters at twelve downtown sites. There was a variety of vegetables, fruits, and herbs for people to pick for free. We had a few hiccups but I’ll work on them this year.

We’re working with several organizations on a downtown mural project that is still at a very early stage. I’ll do a lot of the coordination.

It will involve advertising for artists to paint the murals, and talking to business owners to see if they would like to have a mural painted on their building’s wall.

I’ll help the artists connect with the owners, and talk to businesses about sponsorships.

I sit on the committees of several community groups. I believe in committee work. It’s what you do if you want to get things done.

But, I’m not interested in being on committees where people talk forever and don’t accomplish anything.

If I have an idea or someone comes to me with an idea for a community project, I look at what other municipalities have done to see if it would be viable in our community.

Even if that particular project isn’t workable it may relate to another project, so that the time I’ve spent is never really wasted.

A Brandon Environment Committee member brought up the idea of starting a car share coop in Brandon.

I read his proposal and researched car share operations in various cities, including Winnipeg, and Kelowna, which is closer to our city’s size. It’s something we might take on in the fall.

There’s a lot of flexibility in this job, but you can’t just come up with ideas and not follow up. You have to be willing to do the work to make it happen.

— by Brandon Now
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Working to Excel at Hospitality

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You’ve got to hand it to all the folks who stage the events that draw visitors to our city. Take Manitoba Ag Days, Canada’s largest indoor farm show. This home-grown annual event brings in 45,000 visitors for a three-day stay — in January.

The six-day Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, started here in 1906, draws over 100,000 visitors, and the Brandon Jazz Festival, with over 4000 participants, are among several yearly attractions.

Community groups regularly bring in one-time events such as the 2017 Special Olympics Manitoba Provincial Summer Games.

For organizers, staging a well-managed event is crucial. That’s when others in the community join in making sure event tourism continues to be a successful part of our city’s economy. Among them is accommodation sector professional Group Services Manager, Patrick McGriskin:

As soon as September hits conferences and annual events are non-stop until April. Manitoba Ag Days is the biggest single event I do all year.

I like looking after the groups staying with us. Anyone can just sell a room, but I know the hotel like the back of my hand, so I can suggest options that will suit them.

If we have a family group, I can set up those with kids in rooms by the pool, and put the grandparents in a quieter area — these are the kinds of details groups appreciate because it enhances their stay.

I started full time in this job in November 2016 after working here at Clarion Inns & Suites as assistant Guest Services Manager for two years.

It’s also my job to look at ways to bring group bookings to the hotel.

I went to the Wedding Expo to see how we could promote  the hotel. I came up with an idea and took it back to the sales team, we brainstormed it, and created a promotion involving the wedding party that gives the bride and groom a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas. It has paid off with a lot more room bookings over the previous year. And, it’s fun to make the call to the winners.

There are a lot of school sports tournaments held in Brandon so I market the hotel to the teams through our sponsorship plan.

I find out if there are construction projects or other business activities that bring in work crews from out of town, and make sales calls to the companies.

This job is right for me because I have the freedom to do the job my way. I have a lot of flexibility in my day-to-day activities and have set up an organizational structure that works for me.

I can also call on the sales team to help me with things like analyzing where we are in the market, developing promotions, and doing a yearly marketing plan.

I’m always trying to make sure everything runs smoothly but in this job I don’t get stressed out because I have confidence in myself and the team. I have diabetes and stress can make it harder to maintain my health, so having a job I really like is really positive.

— by Brandon Now
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Hiring Manager, Mentor, Private Investigator: Worklife in the Security Sector

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Dick Scott joined the Winnipeg Police Service at age 19 and led a varied career. During the 1970s, he was involved in hiring police officers, then became a trainer at the Police Training Academy.

In the 1980s, Dick was in charge of the property crime investigation division. In 1989, he moved to Brandon to take up the Deputy Chief position with the city’s Police Service.

Six years later, he became Chief of Police, and retired in 2001.

Dick now puts this breadth of experience to use as a director of operations in the private security sector:

I do a lot of interviewing and hiring staff in my job at the Brandon office of Paladin Security.

We have 64 people who work full-time, four in administration and sixty who protect property at various sites around the city.

There are also 150 people working part-time who do special duty guard service at public events.

Mentoring is also part of my job. If someone is having a problem, I don’t tell them how to solve it. We talk it over, and, lo and behold, they find the answer to the problem facing them.

People are intelligent and know the answers, but sometimes they just lack confidence. They think, ‘If I do this, am I going to get into trouble?’

So, I tell them, ‘there is no wrong way, it’s just that you have done it differently. Maybe there’s a better way to do it and we can look at that.’

Nobody comes to work to make a mistake. I try to find out if the company has failed them or if they failed us.

Usually, it’s because we haven’t given them the right information, so I’ll offer education in the area where the mistake occurred.

I like to help people realize their potential. When I see someone who has the capacity to move up within the company, I offer them training courses so when there is an opening they will be prepared to take the job.

Courses are completed by computer and I guide them through the modules because I want them to feel supported.

It’s all part of keeping good people by giving them opportunities to advance.

Every security officer in Manitoba has to take a 40-hour security course from an approved training provider and pass a Provincial examination.

I use retired police officers to do this training.

I’ve always believed that training is something no-one can take away — if you’re trained nothing is going to stop you.

I also do private investigations. A company might call and say they need services that include a drug-sniffing canine.

After arranging to get the canine, I will meet with the handler and the client to create an action plan. I then complete the investigation and write a report.

There’s a lot of paperwork in my job but I don’t find it to be boring — it tells a story.

I get calls from insurance companies in Canada and the United States to help them with a particular situation. It could be in regard to someone living in this area who they suspect is making a fraudulent injury claim.

It makes sense for them to hire me to do the investigation rather than sending one of their staff out here.

Police departments across Canada contact me to do background checks. They might be hiring someone who lives in a community in Westman so they ask me to do an on-site visit.

With Security, it’s seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, it’s all part of the job, and people who work in security understand that.

I have a lot of fun doing my job, I don’t consider it work.

— by Brandon Now
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Working to have an Eventful Career

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Brandon’s event industry professionals work their magic behind the scenes, supplying the materials and expertise that contribute to the success of the weddings, conferences, fundraisers and the like, put on by local businesses, charities and individuals. 

Event planners are part of the mix. They need to be good communicators and problem solvers, and able to stay calm under pressure.

Leann Bower started honing her event planning skills as a social convenor in high school. The joy of putting her plans in action is as strong as ever:

  As Fundraising Coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society, I feel lucky that every day I get to meet such incredible people.

Like Madi Frendo, a high school student who contacted me to say she planned to donate her hair to have wigs made and raise money for the Cancer Society.

I love staging events. And, I like it when people contact me prior to holding a fundraising event for the Cancer Society because there is a lot we can do to support it.

I always think about how I can let the community know about an event. We named it Madi’s Charity Headshave. I contacted the Shoppers Mall and they said we could hold the event there.

WCG TV featured us before the event. And, the Westman Journal wrote an article after it, giving us further publicity.

Two of Madi’s band teachers each cut a ponytail, then she asked to have her head shaved. Through friends and business sponsorship Madi raised $1200.

I also get calls from groups that want to participate in a fundraiser and are looking for ideas.

For example, when I met with the police department we came up with Guns vs Hoses, a human bubble ball battle between the Brandon Police Service and Brandon Fire Fighter Paramedics.

We held it at a Wheat Kings game during intermission. It was a hilarious four minutes on the ice.

But, there’s always a moment during every event when why I do this hits me.

As I was standing beside the donation bucket a man came up, donated, and said, ‘My brother just lost his battle with cancer. We buried him today.’ Guns vs Hoses raised over $4,500 for cancer research.

Relay for Life, held every year in June, is the Canadian Cancer Society’s biggest fundraising event. A couple of years ago we decided to make changes to our format — over time people can get bored with an event.

We made it more family friendly. Not everyone can participate in a 12 or 24 hour event, so we held it from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm and added a bouncy castle, craft tables, a Relay for Life canteen, and entertainment throughout the day.

We also moved the Relay from the Sportsplex to the Keystone Centre grounds to be more accessible to the public.

Several years ago, I started a day-of-event wedding service but after a move out of province and a change in our family dynamic I put Bridal Bliss Weddings on hold.

In 2014, I started to offer wedding services again and became a registered Marriage Commissioner and a certified Wedding Planner.

I’m a detail-oriented event planner. It’s important to think of the little things. For weddings, I always have supplies like pins, scissors, duct tape, thread and needles to take care of any problems.

With any event you have to problem-solve before it happens — if it rains during an outdoor wedding you have to have a solution ready.

Whatever type of event I’m involved in I make myself available to deal with anything that comes along.

It’s important to me to have people trust me to fulfill my role.

— By Brandon Now
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Inspiring Workers to be ‘Serious about Safety’

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A workplace injury can cause plenty of disruption. There’s the personal impact on the worker — pain, perhaps a hospital stay — and, the business loses the worker’s skills and experience while they recover.

Brandon’s workplace health and safety professionals are on the front line, using their expertise to help employers and workers learn how to stay safe. Among these operatives is Al Trotz:

I love coaching hockey and see parallels with working in health and safety. Coaching deals with motivating and mentoring people, which is what I do at work every day.

I’m dealing with individuals who come to work, or play a game, and at the same time have other needs, values or beliefs.

I need to take into account what’s going on in their whole life. As a health and safety person, I’ve got to understand people in order to be able to help them be safe.

I’ve been working in the health and safety area for thirteen years and have been at this job for three and a half years.

I hadn’t worked in a manufacturing plant until I came to Behlen, so there was lot to learn.

I needed time to talk to everyone and have them explain the processes they went through to do their job. While doing that I built relationships with them.

Once those relationships were strong, people knew they would be listened to when sharing ideas and concerns.

I’m here to help, and I act to solve issues right away. They run the equipment every day, so getting their input about what could be done better is invaluable.

It’s not just ensuring people are safe but that the equipment they use is safe — that means checking it every day before starting work to make sure everything is in good working order.

I’ve built on the systems that were in place when I came here. I always like telling people about why we do things, and remind them to stop and think every day.

I brought in a pre-task hazard analysis program that I used when working in the oil and gas industry.

Each day the worker fills out a card identifying what they are doing that day, the hazards associated with the job, and how they can protect themselves.

Now I read these cards and see the progression from day one to how people are doing their cards now.

The information is more in depth — they are thinking more about what they are doing,

The program is voluntary. The incidents for people who fill out the cards is at zero —they are always reminding themselves to be careful.

The people who don’t do the cards always have one or two incidents.

I do safety training with new hires, look after personal protective equipment, work on return to work programs, investigate incidents and make recommendations.

Everybody here says ‘Al, you’re pretty passionate about what you do’. And I am.

I watch webinars, take courses and read articles to stay abreast of what’s new and exciting in the safety world. You can never stop learning about what’s going on out there.

— by Brandon Now
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