Training program

for youth

can be

valuable experience

Dear Editor:

The Aug. 6 Zap! column made
interesting reading, as it often
does.

As a volunteer interviewer at
North Shore Community’ Services
(NSCS), 1 talk to potential
Cypress Bowl! volunteers every
week, ot
NSCS place volunteers only
with non-profit agencies and
organizations and the rewards for
these volunteers, are generally
personal satisfaction, the chance
to meet new people and make
friends, and occasionally, the
chance to try out a possible area
of future work or to practice job
skills.

ns my view, Taleeb  Noor-
mohamed, is right that the
Cypress program is not volun-
teering —- not as I understand it.

For. starters, Cypress is
definitely not a non-profit agency.

But it is not necessarily ex-
ploiting youth for unpaid’ labor.
The key lies in the description of
the project as a.‘‘training program
for youth.”’ That is what it really
seemstobe, |

Cypress is right to seek to work
with the school boards on the
North Shore. If the program can

racet the criteria and objectives of
our educators, we can be reas-
sured that it is not exploitive.

The free ski pass or whatever
incentive or “reward"’ is offered
should not be the main focus.

Indeed, it may not be for most
participants, if Bob Dodge of
Cypress is correct.

It, would be best if Cypress
Bowl dropped the term ‘‘volun-
teer’”’ and left it to the use of the
non-profit sector.

I think calling it a ‘free training
program’? would be more ap-
propriate and would still attract
young people, most of whom, like
Noormohamed, are perfectly
capable of judging for themselves
whether they are being exploited.

As for anyone, young or old,
wishing to volunteer in our com-
munity, there are many oppor-
tunities available.

Check the ‘Options for volun-
teers’? column in the News and/or
call the Volunteer Centre at 985-
7138.

Non-profit agencies looking for
volunteers are encouraged to call
us with their requests.

Barbara MacLellan
North Vancouver

Why sudden change of heart?

‘Dear Editor:

Four years.ago the board of
North Shore Neighbourhood
House approached council to pass
a bylaw to have casinos on the
North Shore.

If passed, it would have made it
better. for the charities on’. the
North Shore;/they would not have
to. travel to; {Burnaby and Surrey,
getting home in the early hours. ;

We were turned down in camera
before the meeting. They were.
even trying to stop. bingo! They
“did - not. want to “corrupt” the
" North Shore! :

Now. we read they. want to have
a professionally run charity bingo
on n the North Shore. oo

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Why this sudden change of

heart?

The NorthStar Charity Bingo
Association are having a nice slice
out of the money; only one-third
is given to charity.

We don’t mind the flea market
on the. east side of Lower Lons-
dale, but object to bingo from 10
a.m. to 1 a.m. seven days a week
on East First Street.

Leave the people to their own
bingo. They have built it up over
the years.: :

‘I thought they were supposed to
be making Lower Lonsdale more
attractive. |

‘Avis Godfrey

North Vancouver

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* Gerry Brewer
North Vancouver City Administrater, retievd, and Ist Vise Chairncan,
Board of Directors, North Shore Credit Union,

From draughtsman with the engineering department in 1955, to City Administrator
trom 1987 to 1993, your associates and peers respect and admire you for the multitude of -
contributions you've made along the way.

We thank you for bringing your special knowledge and compassion to the Board of
Directors of Nerth Shore Credit Union since 1985, and for serving in your current capacity
as Ist Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. ;

'

Congratulations on a truly distinguished career.
Enjoy your retirement!