A committee dedicated to helping raise the awareness of virtues in the Sea to Sky corridor

MISSION STATEMENT

Our Mission is to raise awareness of the role and use of virtues in personal growth in the Sea to Sky Corridor. We draw from the Virtues Project and educational ideas from all over the world.

VIRTUES ARE FOR EVERYONE

Squamish Virtues Committee is continually working on ways to spread the virtues among people of all ages because it is never too late to learn patience, respect, responsibility and truthfulness. Communities that use the strategies of the Virtues Project for prevention, intervention and healing, find that a culture of character has been built and that the quality of life has improved. Virtues inspire hope.

OUR VISION FOR THE SEA TO SKY CORRIDOR

The Virtues Project offers a language-based approach to character education that instills an understanding of how to apply virtues such as trustworthiness, respect, kindness and courtesy.

This is a positive approach to development and works hand in hand with social responsibilities to inhibit bullying. When learned at a young age, negativity is cut off before it has a chance to be learned.

Virtues in the schools - There have been several Virtues Presentations in various schools in the corridor and most teachers have received this program enthusiastically. We have been trying to fill the criteria of the Howe Sound #48 School Board to present the virtues in schools. The School Board has given us task that is exceedingly difficult to accomplish (see School Criteria). We have worked on this extensively; it is still in its final developmental stage as the school board also ask for proven statistics, which are difficult to collect. The Virtues Project has been a subject in at least 4 Professional Development Days in the last 2 years.

Virtues in the media - For the past 18 months, we have placed a “Virtues of the Week” in the Squamish Chief to increase the awareness of the Virtues and its definition. This has resulted in a lot of positive response. (See media). Many community members have shared their enthusiastic and positive reactions to this.

Virtues Workshop Training - In June 2003, we held a 2 day Introduction to Virtues workshop with 40 participants and a 3 day Certified Facilitators Training with 30 participants; 11 of the Certified Facilitators are residents of Squamish. Other participants came from West Africa, Calgary, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
From Violence to Virtues - In the fall of 2003, the District of Squamish gave financial support to help the Squamish Virtues Committee bring Linda Kavelin Popov and Dr. Dan Popov, the founders of the Virtues Project, to Squamish. Five free sessions focusing on different uses of the virtues were offered to promote this positive approach. As the flood in our corridor occurred at the same time, the turnout was much less than anticipated, but the talks were great.
Shaw TV recorded all five of these sessions and they await editing.

Rotary Talent Show - Davy’s Locker has agreed to play for us in this fun filled charity event on June 5 . We hope to share in the charity profits to keep our committee afloat.

SPONSORSHIP

We would like to acknowledge our generous sponsors:

The Diamond Head Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion
The Squamish Rotary Club
District of Squamish
The Squamish Branch of the Bank of Montreal
Squamish IGA

We are always searching for new ways to approach Service Clubs when we have a project in mind.
The Squamish Volunteer Centre has been most helpful to us – particularly in applying to the council, as at that time we did not have charitable status.

If you or your group would like to support our vision, please contact us
( squamishvirtues@shaw.ca )