My Volunteer Work
Space to write
POLITICAL
Pickle Lake, North-western Ontario, 1979: Alainnah was invited to be the Secretary on the Community Council, a position she enjoyed. Giving the Chairman his place, and using the Agenda, the Council became an effective organization, working for the good of the community.
She went on to run for election to the Municipal Council. Resigning as a counselor, she decided to run for Mayor. Unfortunately, the announcement that the mine would be closing, was made a few days after she declared her candidacy. However, she ran her campaign as promised.
ASSOCIATION
1980: In Stewart, BC, she trained with the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada as a lifeguard, swimming instructor, and became Pool Director. Elected secretary of the local CUPE Union, she was sent to a Union President training course. She was involved in Union Contract Negotiations and Arbitration proceedings.
Vancouver, 1984-1998: Moving to Vancouver, BC, she was employed by the United Way to train the trainers who were the people who ran the United Way campaigns in large corporations and government departments. She was assigned the job of updating the Trainers’ Manual and organizing the Success Clinics held at the Plaza Hotel. Then she went on to run a fundraising campaign for the United Way as a Loaned Representative, achieving record returns.
Edmonton, 1998-2008: In November 1999, Alainnah was elected as President of the Downtown Edmonton Community Association. A fledgling organization, Alainnah set up the Board and structure of the society. She resigned after two and a half years as President.
In 2003 she became a Director on the Board of the Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association (ELLA). In 2004 and 2005, she was elected President of ELLA.
CHURCH
Vancouver, 1984-1998: She compiled a personal development course she called “The Game of Life” and ran it successfully in the YWCA and the St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church in Vancouver.
Edmonton, 1998-2008: Alainnah joined the First Presbyterian Church of Canada. She sang in the choir for seven years. With the permission of the Minister and Session, she ran Bible Studies on Wednesday mornings, attracting an average of twelve people. The Church at the time was developing a new Catechism, and this group took part in that enterprise.
In 2004 she became an ordained Elder of the Church and as such, was a member of the Session (Board) and Convener, Stewardship Committee.
Achievements and involvement
From January 2, 1986, Alainnah owned and operated a Pre-press business for thirteen years, serving the Printing Industry. As President of Computype, a Type House, during those years Alainnah acted as Production Manager and Sales Manager. She became a typographer.
She was elected to the Board of the Printing Association of BC. She was President for three of her seven years on the Board, Past President for two years. She served on the Board of the Printing Industries Association of Canada.
In 1997, she was invited to serve on the Marketing Committee of the Gastown Businesses Association. In 1998, she became a Director on the Board of the Gastown Businesses Association.
In 1997, she founded, and was Chair of, the Digital Pre-press Association of BC, organizing meetings at local hotels. The twenty largest Pre-press companies of Vancouver were members, with representatives attending the meetings from the Island and the Interior. This was during a time of great turbulence in the printing industries, with the advent of computerized equipment. Alainnah closed her business in 1998.
Edmonton 1998-2008: In November 1999, Alainnah was elected as President of the Downtown Edmonton Community Association. A fledgling organization, Alainnah set up the Board and structure of the society. She resigned after two and a half years as President.
Toronto, December 2008: Moving to Toronto, Alainnah joined the Toronto Newcomers Club. She moved with her second husband into the Charles West in January 2014. The following year, Alainnah began organizing Groups in the building. These were a Bridge, Book, Film, and Mindfulness Group. She encouraged a professional ballet dancer friend, who presented Seated Pilates on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.