Welcome … is the word.
Chances are this fall you will see the ‘welcome’ word used frequently in the community. And, chances are you will be invited to participate in a dialogue or conversation that talks about being welcoming or to wear a pin or t-shirt that tells your neighbor that ‘Welcome is the word’. The Good Neighbours Committee presents the Ambassador Program as the completion of the current projects and moves us to the next phase, Welcoming Communities. The ambassadors program will foster the dialogue in community that will take us to the next level of becoming a Welcoming Community.
One of the definitions of an ambassador according to Dictionary.com is, an authorized messenger or representative. We are currently seeking community members who are new-comers to Vanderhoof and have immigrated to Canada as an adult to be part of our ambassador teams. The immediate goal of the ambassador program, is to open the dialogue between community members about the joys and the challenges of immigrating to Canada; and for the newcomer to be the ambassador or authorized messenger sharing their story with community. We believe there is a richness that resides in the heart of each person and a story waiting to be told. The ambassadors program will be one of the conduits for those stories.
Informal community meetings will take place over the next two months and a Community Dialogue will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2012. If you are interested in learning more about the community dialogue, the ambassador program or other projects of the Good Neighbours Committee please contact Charlyne Smilinski, CNC 250.567.3211.
If you are a new-comer to Canada and interested in participating in the Ambassador Program, there will be an Information Session at the College of New Caledonia, Vanderhoof campus, 12 pm – 1 pm, Tuesday, October 4, 2012. Lunch will be provided. Please register with CNC by Monday, October 4, 2012. To register or for more information call 250.567.3200
Ambassador Program Team Goals:
• Create awareness in the community about newcomers’ experiences and how they enrich the life of our community.
• Facilitate cultural understanding.
• Support the community to learn from newcomers’ experiences.
• Promote the ideals of the Community Accord.
• Support new residents to become active in the community.
Benefits to Ambassador Program Team members:
• Meet and network with others who share a passion for social and economic development.
• Enjoy opportunities to enhance and/or build relationships with long-term community residents.
•Build community together.
• Participate in training opportunities.