Volunteering has many benefits

Volunteering – “More than one million Canadians obtained employment through their volunteer experiences.” – Volunteering has many benefits to offer that we all should consider. For example, we can acquire and or improve our skills in areas such as communication, organization, managerial and inter-personal areas. We can discover more about our strengths, weaknesses and aptitudes. We can meet new people and make new friends. Volunteering allows us to make career connections through networking as well as helps us gain more work experience in our field of expertise. Volunteering gives us a chance to give back to the community by sharing our knowledge and skills. We can build a better resume through our volunteer work and obtain valuable references.

On top of this, we can be part of something that we feel good about and experience self-growth – all very positive! In Saskatoon, we are fortunate to have an organization devoted to volunteerism – contact Volunteer Saskatoon at 306-975-3477 or at www.volunteersaskatoon@unitedwaysaskatoon.ca or drop in and visit them at 100 506 25th Street East for more information. Remember, the key to building your future and finding good work for yourself depends on you so see how volunteering might be a part of that!

Quote of the Week

Quote of the Week

Internet Safety Tips (Part II)

From the Employment and Learning Computer Lab:

Internet Safety Tips, Part II:

Sometimes you may find yourself using  a public computer in the library, a computer café, or even the Employment and Learning Centre computer lab. If you are checking on your email or even a social media such as Facebook, where you have to log in, before you leave the computer you must remember to log yourself out. You do not know who is going to be sitting at that computer going forward, and leaving that information open is just asking for trouble.

When you first open one of these log-in pages, there is usually a check-box to keep yourself signed in at that computer. Make sure the box is not checked, because that means anyone sitting there after you will not need to put in the password to access your account.

On your own computer, it is advised to have an anti-virus program installed. Some of the better known ones are Sophros, Norton Antivirus Protection, and AVG. The first two are purchased, and update almost daily for the extent of your contract (usually one year). AVG, however, is free online.

One annoying virus is pop-up windows that block your screen. A way to avoid this is to turn on the pop-up blocker on your computer. If you use Internet Explorer, click on Tools, which is on the top scrollbar on the screen, and then click on “Turn On Pop-Up Blocker.” If a “Turn Off Pop-Up Blocker” notice appears, that means the blocker is already activated.

For Mozilla Firefox, click on Tools, which is on the top scrollbar on the screen, and then click on “Delete Recent History.”


 

Day of Mourning/Workers Rights In Canada

The Day of Mourning for Workers Killed on the Job, will be commemorated on April 28, 2013.

This important day allows us to pay tribute to those workers who were killed or injured on the job and renew our commitment to safety for all working people.

In Saskatchewan more than 39,000 workers are injured on the job each year. 

Tragically, 74 people died on the job or from work related injuries in 2012.

On April 28, we ask everyone to take a moment and remember those who have been injured or killed at work.

Mourn the dead, fight for the living.

For more information:

http://www.ccohs.ca/products/posters/pdfs/right-to-know.pdf

http://www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning/

Quote of the Week

National Volunteer Week

It is national Volunteer Week and Volunteers Cast a Beautiful Shadow.  But did you know volunteering can also help you find a job.  Here are some reasons why job seekers volunteer:

• Acquire skills such as interpersonal skills, communication skills, and organizational and managerial skills.
• Discover my strengths, aptitudes, and weaknesses
• Gain self confidence and build a sense of independence.
• Meet new interesting people and spend time with friends.
• Make career connections through networking.
• Gain work experience in my field of expertise.
• Increase my chances of getting a scholarship.
• Share my knowledge and skills and give back to the community.
• Build a better resume through employability skills, and/or experience.
• Obtain valuable references.
• Feel good and self-fulfilled and experience spiritual and emotional growth.
• Be apart of something I believe in or care about.

Some say:

But the economic value of volunteer's activity in Canada is $50-billion a year.  Please see this link to a Globe & Mail article: 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/whats-all-that-volunteer-work-worth-try-50-billion/article11505585/