PREMIER'S VOLUNTARY SECTOR INITIATIVE MOVES FORWARD

Premier Lorne Calvert today announced the next steps to equip Saskatchewan's volunteer organizations to fulfill their visions, including the appointment of Doreen Hamilton, MLA for Regina Wascana Plains, as Legislative Secretary to the Premier and Chair of the Premier's Voluntary Sector Initiative.

"The work of our voluntary sector reflects who we are and the values that are important to us in Saskatchewan," Calvert said. "We have a vibrant voluntary sector which is a valued part of the social fabric of our province. It will benefit all the people of the province to have government and the voluntary sector strengthen their relationship and share their resources as effectively as possible."

Three working groups will be established under the Premier's Voluntary Sector Initiative to address three key areas:

• enhancing the co-operative relationship between the public sector and the
many components of the voluntary sector;

• building capacity within Saskatchewan's voluntary sector; and

• creating awareness of the benefits of volunteerism for the people of the
province.

For the past year, a Steering Committee has been working to lay the foundation for future action. Today, the Province reappointed the committee, composed of community and government representatives that routinely work with community-based organizations.

The recommendations and the framework document developed by the Steering Committee during the first year of the initiative have been formally adopted by the Province.

"I'm pleased to accept this appointment, because I believe in the strength and ability of our voluntary sector," Hamilton said. "It's through initiatives like this one that we will be able to work more closely with the voluntary sector and the public to respond to the ever changing needs and dynamics of the world in which we live."

Doreen Hamilton will be joined in the initiative by Tracey Mann, an acting director with the United Way of Regina, who will assume the role of Vice-Chair of the Premier's Voluntary Sector Initiative.

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For More Information, Contact:

Wendy Campbell Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306)787-1062 Email: wcampbell@cyr.gov.sk.ca Cell: (306)536-1445