We had our second meeting earlier tonight; it was great to see those of who could make it. We had the chance to move forward with some ideas and planning for the event in March now known as TW4H+Auction. Here is a short summary of what we touched on:

• Discussed ideas about reaching out to businesses and other potential buyers
• Looked at few potential venues and alternative days/dates for the event
• Discussed some PR regarding the event including reaching out to media and more e-newsletter features
• Divided up some tasks and came up with many new ones that need to be done
• Discussed having door prizes during the event as well as a catalogue featuring both the art pieces as well as the services our volunteers offer

We are working on finding a band. Please let us know if you know any band we can approach who may be willing to play during the event. We are also going to be looking for corporations that may donate gifts we can offer as door prizes.
We will probably have our third volunteer meeting next week; hopefully to touch base and discuss further ideas. In the mean time, please feel free to email us with any thoughts or suggestions, both on what is highlighted above or any other ideas. Every idea brings us one step closer to making the auction a great success. We are counting on all of you 

It’s been a big week at Toronto Works For Haiti. First of all, we got an attractive and informative new design for our website. Then, thanks to the Uncles’ hard work with the facelift, we made new groups of friends. We’ve got in touch with other groups who are raising money for Haiti, like HaiHaiTO; One Love for Haiti; and Eat, Drink, and Give. Our Facebook page has added a bunch of new friends and potential volunteers and we’re just getting started on getting our Facebook connections involved. We welcomed new volunteers, Karen, Chris, and Nuwan, who have been busy this week. Thanks for the video shout-out from Chris about TW4H, and for the generous donation of artwork from Fonsekaa Nuwan, which you can check out on “Service Offering” page. We also have bilingual content on “About Us” page thanks to Kat’s translation. Let’s not forget the highlight of the past week: our first Meet-and-Greet event, here are our pictures!

It’s been a big week for Haiti as well. The G7 nations have agreed to cancel Haiti’s debts in the wake of the earthquake, which will be of some help.

However, it’s important to note that the exact amount owed bilaterally to G7 countries is relatively small in comparison to Haiti’s debt owed to other countries and international organizations like the IMF and World Bank. Haiti’s total debt owed is estimated at close to $2 billion. Will the write-off of debts help Haiti in lifting itself out from being one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere? How will this affect the problems of corruption in Haiti? This isn’t the full solution, but it will hopefully be a step forward.

We would like to extend our congratulations to Chantal Labonte from Sudbury, Ontario. She has collected empty bottles and cans to raise funds for Haiti and has raised $250 so far. Good job Chantal!

THANKS!

Finally together!

It was great seeing you all 14 of you tonight. Hope you had fun putting faces to names, exchanging ideas, and expanding your network.

We asked to those of you who were around the table as at 7:45pm tonight this question: Why are you here? What made you come and join us?

Here’s what you had to say.

• Marie: I am here because I hope to make a difference.
• Tomoe: I am here to see how academia and practice intersect.
• Kilim: I am here to celebrate how far TW4H has come.
• Rick: Knowing that the need in Haiti is on-going, putting a cheque in the mail seemed not enough and I looked for long-term ways to help. TW4H was just that, and also a great opportunity to meet new people and new clients. Good for both businesses and service users!
• Roxanne: I like how TW4H offers service. Because not all of us can go to Haiti to offer our help on the ground, actually providing service in exchange for donations is great, rather than cutting a cheque and taking a more or less out of sight, out of mind approach.
• Elliot: 14 volunteers keep motivating me to make a difference!
• Ryan: To support a cause and help however I can.
• Christopher: Mark promised calamari and beer! With the jokes aside, I believe in the cause.
• Mark: To meet Torontonians businesses supporting the cause.
• Sophie: Elliot asked me to come! I wanted to meet with everyone and have a good time as well. I also wanted to mingle with fellow Haiti supporters.
• Michael: I came because this is a great way to be able to donate time for people in Haiti. It’s great to get involved!
• Kat: I’m here because being part of a small, grassroots organization like this is a great approach to helping people in Haiti. It also sounded fun!
• Jeremy: I am here because I know what it’s like to lose everything and start over.
• Katherine: I am here because I want to help.

With that, we bid you good night!

p.s. Sincere apologies from the blogger on duty tonight for anything missed, edited, or added! Hence, no quotation marks.