VOLUNTEERISM INTEGRAL TO COMMUNITY SUCCESS
York Region hospital gives volunteers worldclass opportunity
When Dave Wattling moved
from Toronto to Newmarket seven years ago, he was pleasantly surprised. “I found a strong sense of community,” he says. “I wanted to be part of it and to help strengthen it.”
So Wattling, vice president at TELUS Health in Toronto, looked for ways to donate his time, business expertise and passion for health care. He found his calling by volunteering on the board of Southlake Foundation — an organization that supports Newmarket’s Southlake Regional Health Centre. “I’ve got a long history of volunteer work,” says Wattling. “It just fit my desire to give back.”
Wattling is not alone in that desire. All across the country, volunteers play a vital role in our schools, social-support services, charities, health care system and more. And with National Philanthropy Day on November 15, this is a good time for others to think about volunteering.
“Our culture of volunteerism is just one of the things that makes Canada so great,” says Neila Poscente, president and CEO of Southlake Foundation. “I’ve had the privilege and honour of working with many dedicated volunteers — they really care.”
Making a commitment
Volunteers who contribute their time and expertise help build stronger, healthier communities that benefit everyone. In Wattling’s case, his connection to the community has grown significantly since he started as a volunteer board member. Last February, he became chair of Southlake Foundation’s Board of Directors, a role that applies his business knowledge and experience. “What I do in my paid job has given me a certain insight into how health care runs and how technology can improve it,” he says. But his experience in how to run a business unit — facilitation, consensus building and governance — is also a strong asset. “The Foundation exists to support the hospital,” Wattling explains, “so one of my roles is to align the needs and the vision of the hospital with the Foundation’s ability to raise the necessary funds.”
Another major part of his role is attracting interested board members. He looks for people who want to donate to the hospital, as well as those who have connections to different communities and corporations in York Region. But he also seeks out people who are truly committed to giving their time. “I have worked with many non-profits where people want to be part of it but don’t actually want to do any work,” he says. “So that’s a big part — be prepared to work.”
Even more important, Wattling says, is finding volunteers who have a genuine passion for the industry in which they want to volunteer. “If someone comes to me and says, ‘I’m interested in working with the Foundation,’ I will ask them: ‘Do you have the time, and are you serious? Why do you want to spend time with the hospital versus the YMCA or the school board?’ And if they have a connection, a passion for health improvement, or a personal story, as so many of us do, that gets a check mark.”
Poscente agrees. “The best predictor of success for a board member here is someone who really cares passionately about Southlake and health care in the community. There are lots of different talents and skills out there, but that passion and willingness to get involved to make health care better here is huge.”
Ambassadors and champions
Passion is crucial to the ongoing success of Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation. “The board is critical to our work,” explains Poscente. “Our board is our independent oversight body. They make sure we have good governance, that we’re operating effectively, and responsibly stewarding the funds that our donors have entrusted to us.” Equally important, she says, are the board members’ roles as ambassadors and champions for Southlake, connecting with the community and helping to raise funds to support the hospital.
As York Region continues to grow, so do the demands placed on Southlake. That’s why Southlake Foundation is looking to grow the number of board members over the coming year. “We know that the most successful hospital foundations have fairly large boards,” Poscente says.
In Wattling’s view, the hospital is a prime volunteering opportunity. “Southlake is one of the best-kept secrets in Ontario’s health care system,” he says. “It’s an incredible thing to volunteer for a place that brings such outstanding services to patients. Knowing that I’ve been a part of that is incredibly meaningful.”
If you’re passionate about health care, Southlake Foundation might be the right fit for you. If you are considering getting involved and would like more information on becoming a board member, contact Southlake Foundation at (905) 836-7333 or visit