Helping Create Safe Communities & Neighbourhoods

Being a real Community Builder is not a difficult task for anyone to achieve and there are numerous ways of going about it. Whether you operate a small business such as I do or your a corporate giant, there are many ways of giving back to your community.  Anyone can provide for their community – simply volunteer your time. It’s not always about money, it’s about community spirit.

Alberta Venture magazine is a resource I often refer to and glean information for my business.  Their September issue provided a definitive report card on corporate Alberta. You know, the best of the best, the biggest deals, the largest employers and so on.  It’s always interesting as well as informative. However, last weeks breakfast talk by Brett Wilson provided me with a new perspective on corporate wealth in our country and throughout the world. The event was hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Red Deer, another bright light in our own community.

When you look at Alberta Venture’s ranking of the Top 100 companies for 2009 and the revenues these corporations have generated, it’s nothing short of staggering. Yet, with all this wealth we still face big community issues such as crime, homelessness, addiction and poverty.  The good news, as Brett pointed out, is that we all have choices and one of these is charitable giving.  He described this as an opportunity,

not an obligation. Corporate philanthropy, what a concept!  Even more incredible is his willingness to practice what he preaches and demonstrate how companies might share their wealth and support community initiatives, health, arts and political causes. The slogan for this event was “Rebel with a Cause” and it was certainly fitting for a man that continues to give so much.

Brett Wilson

Giving back, helping to change the world may sound rather difficult – but is it really?  We often measure what we can give in dollars and cents and we’re missing the point.  While many of the Top 100 corporations and other businesses can provide that financial muscle that is needed, every one of us has something to offer. Wilson pointed out that “we can all change the world through small acts of kindness.”  Another refreshing thought was that “giving while living” can be more rewarding than trying to guide from the grave, said Wilson.

Hopefully, the mentality that “Greed is Good” from the 1987 flick Wall Street no longer exists. However, I’d be rather foolish to truly believe that’s the case.  After all, we have certainly seen some corporate leaders fall the last few years suggesting that greed is still alive and kickin’ in many organizations and beyond. Stay tuned for the new sequel which Oliver Stone began filming in New York this week.  I’d rather see a film that focuses around the issue of social responsibility and community spirit but it would not likely be a block buster at the box office. Somehow, I don’t see business leaders and philanthropists like Brett Wilson supporting this idea.

I often refer to Mark Anielski’s book titled “The Economics of Happiness: Building Genuine Wealth. His insight and dedication to the subject of economics is truly inspirational and life changing, if you embrace many of his concepts.  Mark writes that ” businesses today have an important opportunity – indeed a responsibility – to make their actions contribute to the well-being of communities. The future belongs to business leaders who understand, at the heart level, the need for social and environmental responsibility for the common good.”  He also highlights various progressive businesses that are leading the way to a Genuine Wealth economy.  If your asking yourself how this all relates to crime prevention and creating safe communities, you’ve probably missed your first opportunity to become a community builder.

Filed under Community Crime Prevention, Education & Awareness, News, Portals for Discovery