National Volunteer Week April 23 – 29, 2017

NVW

Apr 11, 2017

From April 23 to 29, Volunteer Canada and Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS-ECP) celebrate Canada’s 12.7 million volunteers during National Volunteer Week (NVW). This year marks the 14th year Volunteer Canada has delivered the campaign in partnership with Investors Group, a longstanding supporter of NVW and Canada’s corporate leader in volunteer recognition.

At the roots of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons community, and the roots of every boating community across Canada, are nearly 2000 CPS-ECP volunteers who contribute a total of approximately 150,000 hours of volunteer service each year.

Each year, upwards of 18,000 students benefit directly from this volunteer service, in the many CPS-ECP courses across Canada.

However, the volunteer effort is not limited to courses and the classroom. Thousands of Canadian boaters also participate in CPS-ECP seminars, rendez-vous, water and environmental clean-ups and social events. Thousands more also participate in and benefit from Recreational Vessel Courtesy Checks and Safety Equipment Education and Pyrotechnic Flare Disposal program. Last year over 36,000 expired pyrotechnic flares were recovered by CPS-ECP volunteers and disposed of in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

The CPS-ECP volunteer effort also extends to vital leadership roles at the Squadron, District and National levels. These are the dedicated volunteers who contribute their valuable time and skills to ensure that CPS-ECP continues to be the premier boating organization nationally and in many communities across Canada.

You can see that in a wide variety of ways, the passion and commitment of CPS-ECP volunteers not only makes our waters safer and helps to save lives, but it also makes boating across the country a lot more fun and much more enjoyable.

Let’s celebrate and thank the volunteers of Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons especially during National Volunteer Week. They truly are the roots of strong boating communities in Canada.

 

Related Articles

Video Gallery

Starcraft SV 16 OB

By Craig Ritchie

Photos by Starcraft Marine

Building great boats has always come down to a mix of art and science, and that’s particularly true when it comes to meeting the biggest challenge of all—creating an appealing yet affordable family runabout. Buyers want a boat that is affordable but not stripped to the bare bones.

Enter Starcraft and its delightful SV 16 OB, an all-new-for-2025 family deck boat that elegantly balances comfort, amenities and affordability.

Read More

Destinations

The Erie Canal – An Extraordinary Waterway

By Mark Stevens

Photos by Sharon Matthews-Stevens

As I shift our chartered canal boat into neutral, I’m soothed by the soundtrack of bird calls, the occasional plaintive horn of a distant train and the hum of our engine.

I reach for the VHF to radio the lockmaster in charge of Erie Canal’s Lock 32 dead ahead. Our boat spins gently in the current like a maple key in a mud puddle.

“This is Onondaga,” I say. “Headed westbound and requesting passage.”

Read More

Lifestyle