I've decided to start a blog here, as opposed to NowPublic, where you can see my earlier articles, because this site is easier to load video onto. My first blog will be the speech I think I'll say tonight, June 5th at 5:00 at the election of the Carnegie Community Centre Board of Directors. I'm running for the second year.
If I'm not elected, oh well, that will just give me more time and less restrictions on the way I can go about trying to get the needs of the membership met!
My name is Rachel Davis. Many people know me as Rosetta Stone too. I've been coming to Carnegie for 28 years, since it first opened and I'm a musician, dog trainer, and mom. In the past I've been a worker here in the music program for three years, lately, I've been a volunteer and a on the Board of Directors for the last year.
It's been a very positive year on the board for me, I've learned a lot, and I think so have the other directors.
There lot's of ways that we've made the Carnegie a better place to be in this last year. For instance, we've started writing the minutes according to Robert's Rules, which leaves no room for negativity, and takes up a lot less time, leaving us more time in Board meetings for any new Business. There was no time for that before, and I think this is a very positive change, because that's the time period in which new concepts can come forward.
In general, I think we on the Carnegie Board are all paying closer attention to Robert's Rules of Order, and I'm really pleased because those rules help us to be civil to each other and the membership in meetings, and also make sure that the membership has a say when there is open debate, and I really like seeing the membership involved and heard in the running of Carnegie.
More involvement of the membership brings more accountability, and transparency, to the running of Carnegie, and these are things I am really strongly in favor of. I really love this place, I've been coming here my entire life since I was 16, and I want to help make this beautiful building as comfortable, welcoming and functioning as we can make it.
Besides general policies about politeness and inclusion, there are some specific things I am for, and would like to help make happen if I am elected to the board again.
I'm really interested in improving the quality of life for the members who have no home, and have to walk around bent over by their possessions, unable to leave them anywhere in order to get out and try to improve their lives, or even walk standing upright!
There used to be five lockers on the third floor that were taken out because they got broken, I would like to see them replaced so at least five more people can spend their day free of their burdens.
Another thing I'd like to see here are some animals, and there is an a pet visiting program we could sign Carnegie up for so that would be possible. It's been proven scientifically that having animals around improves everyone's physical and mental health. It makes people fight less, and feel better. Even offices are starting to implement pet programs because they realize that it improves productivity. I used to live on Oppenhiemer Park and when I took my dog for walks, and she'd greet the people who live on the street, or in SRO's, who can't have pets of their own, you could tell it really touched them and made their day a bit better, made them feel more calm. So because of my own experience, and these studies, and business practices, I think this would be a really easy way to improve the welcoming atmosphere at Carnegie. We'd just have to keep them off the second floor where people are eating.
What have I, specifically, already done for the membership?
I've sat in on meetings to help members get back in the building, I've driven members to their causes to help the homeless, and their interviews on CBC, I've written letters for them, and published letters that they've written, I've taken down girlie calenders in the seniors lounge and pool room that oppressed them. In short, I have, as I said I would in my speech last year, stuck my neck out for the membership. It has been an honor to serve them. If I am re- elected,
I would be honoured to do so again.
