Announcements
- Part 4 of the “Made on Haida Gwaii” Series
Joseph Lavoie: Investing in Social Good
Part 4 of the “Made on Haida Gwaii” Series
May 3, 2012
By April DutheilCo-launching his first social enterprise in elementary school- a local bottle recycling venture- Joseph Lavoie is motivated to use business for creating positive social change. A recent double major graduate in Finance and Business Management from the University of Northern British Columbia, Joseph recounts his role as co-founder of Joe’s Bottle Depot as a catalyzing factor in his entrepreneurial journey. Over 15 years later, Joe’s Bottle Depot continues to foster sustainability and cleaner streets on Haida Gwaii.
Recognized as an emerging leader and social change-maker, Joseph was honoured as one of Canada’s Top 20 Under Twenty by Youth in Motion in 2005. A budding entrepreneur, Joseph has worked on a number of non-profit and for-profit ventures including serving as President of Volunteer Prince George, an organization which supports volunteers and the growth of local community service initiatives.
Although some regard formal education as unnecessary for entrepreneurism, Joseph views graduating university as a worthwhile experience, “I think everyone should have the opportunity to attend- it gives you a different perspective on life,” he says. Striving to maintain a balanced lifestyle, Joseph has excelled in varsity and indoor soccer, even playing a memorable game against the Vancouver Whitecaps!
“I was lucky to grow up in an environment where individuals could really shine- I had quite a bit of opportunity to do things that most kids didn’t,” says Joseph when reflecting on his Haida Gwaii upbringing. “I was pretty blessed to be sheltered from the mainstream negativity of the outside world,” he says. Although many individuals from the islands have excelled, Joseph points out what was missing for youth, “I would’ve liked more opportunities for youth leadership while growing up,” he says.
Joseph acknowledges his father as a central role model and mentor in his life. “With only a grade nine education, my Dad is self-taught in all aspects. When I bring him [business] topics he can explain them to me because he understands,” Joseph says.
Strategy-focused, Joseph is mindful of the tools that young entrepreneurs need to develop, “Building a foundation now will help me to make less mistakes and improve my future work,” he says. To strengthen his toolbox of business skills Joseph works as a Business Advisor for TD Bank, “I see statements from start-ups to large companies and deal with social enterprises to business accounts,” says Joseph.
Although eager to make his way in the entrepreneurial world Joseph says that working as a Business Advisor has offered a valuable glance into corporate life, “It’s been tough because you’re not your own boss- implementing change is a much slower process.”
For Joseph the bigger picture includes getting back into business, “The North has so many different opportunities- eventually I want to get to a point where I’m back in business and investing in innovative and interesting things,” he says – noting the importance of environmental and green energy projects. Another future goal, Joseph hopes to become politically engaged, “You never know what role you can come into – I could see myself giving back in a political or board membership role,” he says.
Age: 26
Current location: Fort St. John
Philosophy: Use the money you make to give back to society, that is the real role of a business person.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lavoiejoseph
Twitter: @lavoie101 - Report Card Ruling
The Labour Relations Board has ruled that report cards will be issued. Teachers will have their marks in by Friday, April 27th.
- BC Education Plan Blog
The BC Government announced in the 2011 Speech from the Throne, that British Columbia will be changing the BC Education system and moving towards a more personalized learning model throughout the Province for all of our learners. The Ministry is reaching out to the citizens of BC in a unique way, through the BC Education Plan Blog (www.bcedplan.ca), and we want your opinion. The Blog is a forum in which the Ministry is posting a number of different questions over the coming months, that we want your assistance in answering. While we know that BC’s Education system is a good one, there is definitely room for change and we need to move to a 21st Century Learning model, that will include input from teachers and district staff in the field, parents, students, citizens of the Province, and staff within the Ministry of Education. This will be a collaboration as we move forward and develop the specifics of the BC Education Plan.
By providing the opportunity for personalized learning for all of our learners, we can provide a model which focuses on the individual needs, strengths and aspirations of each student, giving them the chance to be more responsible for their own success. We will continue to assist them in learning basic core skills but we will also provide them with the freedom to pursue their individual interests and passions in life. We will also encourage a more inclusive relationship between the teacher, parent and individual learner and an increased commitment of parents to be partners in their child’s education.
The role of the teachers will continue to be as guides, mentors, coaches and content experts and they will be required to work more closely with individual students and their parents to create a learning atmosphere that is beneficial to every learner.
A PDF has been developed to highlight the website and we would appreciate you sharing this with your colleagues as well as your friends and family, and posting it in public forums throughout your community, including schools, libraries, recreation centers, banks, etc.
Please feel free to distribute this PDF throughout your community as appropriate. The Ministry of Education very much appreciates your assistance in helping us get the word out about the BC Education Plan far and wide throughout the Province.
Citizen Engagement Team, Ministry of Education.
- 30 Years of Service to School District No. 50
A ceremony to celebrate Naanii Mary Swanson and to say howa’a to her for her 30 years of service with School District No. 50 was held at Tahayghen Elementary School on Friday, October 28.
We appreciate all her hard work, dedication, and commitment to the students, staff, and communities of Old Massett and Masset.
- New EAP counsellor for SD employees and their family members comes to Haida Gwaii
Anne Massar, MA, RCC has practiced for 20 years in the helping profession, working with victims of domestic violence, counselling for frail, isolated older adults, generalist counselling for children, youth, adults and families in a non-profit agency, private practice for 10 years, and as a family counsellor in the fly-in only Arctic community of Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. Anne is grounded in Adlerian psychology but also practices cognitive- behavioural and brief solution-focussed therapies. Although there are many inspiring philosophies for living, one of her favourites came from Albert Einstein who said “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow”. Helping clients find hope….whatever that might mean to them….is a shared responsibility and privilege. Through FSEAP, Anne will provide monthly on-island counselling and telephone sessions as required for School District employees and their family members. To make an appointment with Anne please call FSEAP at 1-800-667-0993 or visit the website at www.fseap.bc.ca