A WOW Moment from Mount Pleasant

Good news from Mount Pleasant: The Education Minister has elevated the Francisco Deluca College to full university status, to be named FDC University at Mount Pleasant.

Further recognition comes with the establishment of The School of Social Enterprise.  In support of this initiative the Jennifer and Oswald Holmes Family Foundation is pledging ten million dollars. Ms. Nancy Holmes, a great-granddaughter of the founders, has been named  the University’s first Chancellor.

The Mount Pleasant Observer interviewed Ms. Holmes. The following exerts are published in today’s paper.

Observer: Why this gift?

Ms. Holmes: Our family has been part of this community for three generations. We have partnered with many organizations throughout the country, focused on long-term community sustainability. This initiative fits in very well with this mission.

Observer: Is this called giving back in the world of philanthropy?

Ms. Holmes: The “giving back” concept is a poor descriptor. We have always partnered with organizations through good times and not-so-good times. Giving back implies taking in the first place. Rather we are all in this together all the time and collectively able to move the needle.

Observer: Can we talk about the world of not-for-profits and what this expression means?

Ms. Holmes:  The meaning of this phrase has never been clear to me. Do you know of any initiatives that thrive based on what they do not do? Rather the emphasis must be on what the organization does do. Do businesses describe themselves as not for losses?

Observer: Good point. Please elaborate.

Ms. Holmes: The involvement of Canada’s businesses, educational institutions, health organizations, governments, legal agencies, and families all influences our lives. Engagement will vary over time depending on  an individual’s specific circumstances. At certain periods, the family is primary; other times schools; other times the health services; other times organizations such as our foundation in conjunction with government and the university.

Observer: So where do the so-called not-for-profits fit in?

Ms. Holmes: Why not refer to them as organizations for social enterprise? These organizations fit in everywhere. They exist for many reasons. They may be founded by social entrepreneurs with creative solutions, they may be managed because governments cannot or will not fill a void and so on and so forth. Their funding may be private, government, internally-generated and often a combination of all three. They are a major force in Canada’s dynamic social balance.

Observer: You have not mentioned charities.

Ms. Holmes: Oh how I dislike that word. It implies dependency, a lack of motivation and problems with no solution. These components may be exist in small ways but our family has learned that no one wants to be dependent and unproductive. Self-actualization, personal commitment and support when needed are the keys.

Observer: Your family’s partnerships are exemplary. Thank you for sharing your insights.