EMPLOYMENT
ACTION PROJECT

Le non-profit organizations
are going into business and
they want to make it work.

People served by non-profit
agencies —- especially un-
employed women, single parents,
the handicapped and youth ~
may benefit from this trend says
Coro Strandberg. She is one three
co-instructors of a two-day
workshop at Douglas College
called Business Activities for Non-
Profit Organizations.

There are various reasons for
non-profit groups to go into busi-
ness, Strandberg says. "One of
the main reasons is to create jobs

for the unemployed. Another is

to generate revenue year-round —
agencies are keen to become less
dependent on government grants
and annual appeals (for dona-
tions)."

Some businesses that have been
set up by non-profit groups in the
Lower Mainland include a bicyle
repair shop, a muffin bakery and
coffee shop, and a catering busi-
ness. On Columbia Street in New
Westminster, the Burnaby Pur-
pose Youth Society has set up two
business ventures: a bingo opera-
tion, and Crayons Restaurant. As
with any business venture,
Strandberg says, there are risks in-
volved. "The Board of Directors
may be liable if the business fails.”

Besides the direct financial risk,
she says, "non-profit agencies
must also be prepared for the
drain on resources and decide
how much time and effort can be
devoted to the business.

She adds that agencies must
remember that the goal is usually
"to provide reasonable wages and
secure jobs rather than rely on
more volunteers.”

According to Strandberg, non-
profit groups going into business
may face other challenges.

"The success of a project is often

 

dependent on the vision of one
person or a few really committed
people." The challenge for the or-
ganization, she says is to transfer
that enthusiasm so that more
people become directly involved.

Part of Douglas College’s
Employment Action Project, Busi-
ness Activities for Non-Profit
Organizations also covers topics
such as business feasibility,
financing, and legal structures. It
will be held at Douglas College
on November 27th, from 7:00 -
10:00 p.m. and Saturday, Novem-
ber 28th from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $50.00 per agency. For more
information call 520-5473.

 

WOMEN’S
VOLLEYBALL LOOKS
HOPEFUL

 

te new look Douglas College
Women’s Volleyball team may
be a major contender in the B.C.
Collegiate Athletic Association
league this year, says Coach Dave
Dalconale. With only one return-
ing player from the past season,
the new blend of youth and ex-
perience has shown a growing
cameraderie, willingness to learn
and hard work.

Dalconale says he expects the
team to end up in the top two in
the league championships in
March.

In the first match of the season,

the Royals lost in a close five

games to Columbia Bible College
4-15, 15-10, 15-8, 7-15, 15-12, but
they showed promise right from °
the start.

On October 11 they faced SAIT
and lost again 3-2 with close
game scores of 15-12, 15-11, 11-15,
10-15, 9-15. The team started to
gel as a unit and the coach could
see the rough edges were being

 

EEE es

sheared down. The same day
they overpowered Everett Com-
munity College 3-0 with game
scores running 15-11, 15-4, 16-14.
The B.C.C.A.A. league opener
will be in Castlegar on October 24
with the Royals up against
Selkirk College. The next in-town
league game is Nov. 21 in
Langley. Watch for details!