Weekly News Recap: April 3, 2020
Weekly News Recap: April 3, 2020
The Slaight Family: (L to R) Ali, Gary, Chrissy and Donna — photo credit: Gary Beechey.
Alone We Can Do So Little. Together We Can Do So Much -- Helen Keller
A NOTE TO OUR READERS
To recap readers. I have one word for you. Ugh. Last week, I attempted a grand departure in terms of format. In my quest to make the recap easier to digest, I failed. Spectacularly. I heard from a number of you how the new format actually took longer to review. I am sorry. I really am. This week, I am trying something different. The format will, I hope be familiar to you. I am going to keep the core items to twenty. Ten top stories, seven life and career hacks, and the top three gifts of the week. I am interested in your comments about this change. Feel free to let me know how you feel. Until then, please stay safe and stay sane.
FUNDRAISING IN THE TIME OF COVID-19
+ We have been busy. You have been busy. We have all been busy. Here is ViTreo's most recent blog post: SO NOW WE HAVE SOME TIME – WHAT DO WE DO WITH IT?
+ And a freshly updated set of resources: [Fundraising In The Time Of COVID-19] (https://www.vitreogroup.ca/fundraising-in-the-time-of-covid-19) including links to both individual and organizational funding sources.
TOP TEN STORIES OF THE WEEK
VIDEO: Some Good News with John Krasinski (Youtube) Best thing I watched in three weeks. "John Krasinski highlights some good news from around the world, including an interview with Steve Carell to mark the 15th anniversary of THE OFFICE, as well as John’s newest hero Coco. #somegoodnews"
Canadian neighbours spreading positivity and thanks during the COVID-19 pandemic (Maclean's) CANADIAN STORY "While stopping to chat and share words of support with neighbours is not recommended, people are finding new ways to spread positivity, namely by leaving banners in front of hospitals, drawings in windows and chalk messages on the sidewalk, to be admired by frontline health care workers and others on their daily fresh-air jaunts. Here’s a collection of these colourful and positive displays on social media across Canada."
Ryan Reynolds made a virtual visit to Toronto’s SickKids hospital (The Loop) CANADIAN STORY I heart this guy. "In case anyone needed further proof that Ryan Reynolds is a freaking gem, look no further than how he and wife Blake Lively have been spending their time while social distancing. Because donating a million bucks to food banks, working with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to help spread the message of social distancing, and helping out-of-work bartenders just wasn’t enough in their books, Reynolds also made a surprise virtual visit to Sick Kids hospital on March 30. Seriously, for fans, this guy may be the gift that just keeps on giving."
The Last Days of the Art World … and Perhaps the First Days of a New One Life after the coronavirus will be very different. (The Vulture) Sobering. "As for museums, they’re all closed too. Many have already laid off large numbers of staff: The mighty Met estimates it could lose $100 million and has announced widespread layoffs; the Hammer Museum laid off 150 part-time workers; L.A. MoCA (already financially hurting) laid off its entire part-time staff; S.F. MoMA expects to lay off 135 on-call staff members; Mass. MoCA is laying off 120 employees. Meanwhile, many maintain restoration labs, care for vast collections, pay insurance premiums, electric bills, and thousands of other unseen costs."
This Is Not the Apocalypse You Were Looking For (Wired) Brilliant! "Covid-19 changed everything. Suddenly, the immense and frightening upheaval, the cataclysm that means nothing can go back to normal, is here, and it’s so different from what we imagined. I was expecting Half-Life. I was expecting World War Z. I’ve been dressing like I’m in The Matrix since 2003. I was not expecting to be facing this sort of thing in snuggly socks and a dressing gown, thousands of miles from home, trying not to panic and craving a proper cup of tea."
Experts study how coronavirus pandemic affects trust in officials, ourselves (CBC) CANADIAN STORY We heart Dr. Deena Hinshaw. "In Alberta, you can buy a T-shirt printed with the image of the province's chief medical officer of health and the slogan: 'What would Dr. (Deena) Hinshaw do?' That's what sociologist Cary Wu is talking about.'Government and health officials need to rely on people's trust to implement effective responses,' said Wu from York University in Toronto. 'If people do not trust, it's very difficult to promote collective action.'
Former cabinet minister Gary Mar named head of Canada West Foundation (Calgary Herald) CALGARY STORY *Congrats Mr. Mar. "The Canada West Foundation has named former provincial cabinet minister Gary Mar its new president and CEO, replacing Martha Hall Findlay, who left the organization in December."
'Stand strong': Charities brace for a lean season as pandemic cuts into donations, volunteer base (CBC) CANADIAN STORY "Charities across Canada say they're facing an unprecedented challenge with COVID-19, with food drives and major fundraisers cancelled, a drop in donations and, in some cases, a shortage of volunteers. 'We've certainly never seen anything like this before, the way support has just suddenly suddenly stopped,' said David Morley, president and CEO of UNICEF Canada. If the crisis goes on for much longer, he said, 'it risks hollowing out the charitable sector.'"
fundraising in tough times (Panas Linzy Blog) Some sage advice from the past. "This may surprise some. But we find that economic conditions are not a prime factor in the success of raising funds or in a campaign. Philanthropy has been one of the most stable factors in the economy, year in and year out. From the time we’ve been keeping records, philanthropy has increased steadily, each year more than the year before."
Global Philanthropic Response to COVID-19 Approaches $3 Billion (PND Blog) "On March 3, Candid identified almost $1 billion in pledges and donations in support of global relief efforts focused on mitigating the impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In the weeks since, the virus has infected 719,758 people worldwide and resulted in the deaths of more than 33,673. As the relatively localized outbreak in Wuhan, China, rapidly morphed into a global pandemic, the philanthropic community stepped up to meet the challenge, with pledges and donations in support of relief efforts almost tripling, to $2.6 billion, by March 23."
SEVEN LIFE AND CAREER HACKS
How to help seniors feel less isolated (Folio) CANADIAN CONTENT I love this. We are having a virtual dinner and a movie with my mom tonight. She is in lockdown in a seniors facility in Edmonton. We miss her.
The Reason You’re Exhausted Is ‘Moral Fatigue’ (Rolling Stone) No kidding! "We’re faced with a lot of the same decisions from our pre-corona lives — except now, even the most mundane activities have turned into moral dilemmas. Whether it’s trying to decide if you should visit a sick family member, order delivery, take public transit, or take a trip to the grocery store, we now have to think through the potential implications of many of our totally normal, everyday actions and decisions in a way we never had to before, because of how they could affect others. This is called 'moral fatigue,' and it’s exhausting."
How divorced or separated parents share custody of their kids during COVID-19 crisis (CBC) CANADIAN CONTENT This is stressing out many of my friends and colleagues. This might help.
Still not sure how to best get groceries during a pandemic? Health experts have some answers (CBC) CANADIAN CONTENT I was wondering. I am sure you were as well. Here is some good advice.
Exercising in self-isolation? Here are 3 workouts to keep you fit (CBC) CANADIAN CONTENT I don't know about you but unless I start making some changes I am going to come out of this social isolation a bigger man who likes his wine just a bit too much. This will help.
Six ways to stay productive when working from home (Folio) CANADIAN CONTENT These are all great but #5 and #6 are right on the money.
Ryan Holiday Picks 20 Books to Help You Live Better in 2020 (Forge) Yep. If ever there was a time to catch up on your reading, this is it.
TOP THREE GIFTS OF THE WEEK
Slaight Family Foundation donates funds for food organizations (Food In Canada) CANADIAN STORY How great is this! "The Slaight Family Foundation is donating more than $3 million to four organizations all focused on food. 'The Slaight Family Foundation is pleased to lend support to these organizations that are providing the basic necessities of life to our most vulnerable populations during this terrible COVID-19 pandemic,' said Gary Slaight, president and CEO of the Foundation."
Google announces $800 million donation to support small businesses and health organizations (Digital Information World) Nice work Google! "This pledge is dedicated to health and business organizations who are fighting to eliminate the novel coronavirus. Among other things; one aspect of the pledge is the donation of almost 4 million authentic face masks to the foundation of CDC."
Oprah Pledges $10 Million Towards Coronavirus Relief Efforts (The Oprah Magazine) "Oprah announced [...] that she will be donating millions to help relief efforts around COVID-19, or coronavirus. "I am pledging $10 million overall to help Americans during this pandemic in cities across the country and in areas where I grew up," Oprah revealed on Instagram."
Welcome to our recap of the week's news, articles, and information of note. ViTreo Group Inc. provides this information for the benefit of our clients, associates, staff, partners, and stakeholders. The content is collected and curated by ViTreo partner Vincent Duckworth. If you would like to submit a link for consideration, please send an email to info@vitreogroup.ca
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