Become ENGAGE!d

We launched ENGAGE! last night! This is the culmination of months of volunteer work with The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation.

The official launch happened at Communitech’s Entrepreneur Week Gala Opening. John Pollock made the announcement for us during his remarks as he accepted the Legacy Award on behalf of his extremely accomplished father, Carl A. Pollock, as part of the inaugural inductions into the Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.

ENGAGE! is a program designed to inspire local entrepreneurs and their employees to invest in the future of the community. Members of ENGAGE! make a commitment today to give back to their community in the future, when they are ready. There is no financial commitment, no audit in the future and no solicitation of funds. It’s simply a way to get emerging business leaders more engaged in the needs within the community.

I urge you all to visit ENGAGE!, learn more, and sign up!

The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Kitchener-Waterloo and area, now and for generations to come, by building community endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking, and providing leadership on key community issues. The KWCF is a connector, bringing those that wish to invest in the community together with the causes that most interest them. Original investments or gifts are not spent. Rather, the funds are invested and the proceeds are directed to support a wide range of charitable causes.

The KWCF does not solicit funds of any kind, but rather provides a trust service to the community.

As project manager for the launch of ENGAGE!, I’d like to say some thank yous.
- To Mr. Pollock, thank you for helping us launch ENGAGE!
- To Communitech, thank you for providing us with the forum, the stage, to make the announcement.
- To the volunteers that worked with me to make this all possible, thank you for all of your efforts.
- The team included Lynne S, Fiona K, Michael D, Tobi D-H, Paul M, Annalee M, Carolyn F, Carrie N and of course Rosemary Smith, CEO of The KWCF.

You’ll find ENGAGE! materials at the Communitech table/booth during all of the remaining 14+ events of Entrepreneur Week. ENGAGE! volunteers will be on hand at three of these events:
- The Impact UW Expo today
- The Chapter 4 event on Thursday October 5
- The “Art of the Start” luncheon on Thursday October 6

Remember, join ENGAGE! today!