Edition 9 Mar-Jun 2013 - York Regional Police

In this Issue:Editor’s GreetingRecent &Upcoming EventsA Look Back....InternationalVolunteer WeekKickoffPolice Week OpenHouseSpecial OlympicsUpdateVolunteerSpotlightContactInformationEDITOR’S GREETINGYork Regional Police Volunteer NewsletterDeputy Chief Herridge with our beloved volunteersat the Cops for Cancer Fundraiser.YRP Volunteer ManualThe official YRP Volunteer Manual is nowavailable online. Please CLICK HERE to accessthe manual in PDF format. The manual containsimportant policies and procedures that apply toyou as a YRP volunteer. All YRP volunteers arerequired to read the manual and become familiarwith its content. Please direct any questionsregarding the manual to volunteers@yrp.ca.Edition 9Mar-Jun 2013Summer is upon us, and we hope you have allbeen well. This summer thus far might be a bitcool, but Community Services’ scheduledefinitely isn’t cooling off. The past few monthshave been busy as always, and July and Augustholds lots more in store. Since the last edition ofthe newsletter, we’ve introduced new trainingopportunities for volunteers that will hopefullycontinue to grow. Organization wide, YRP isgearing up for the final stretch before theSpecial Olympics Provincial Summer Games.Stay tuned for updates on the Games, set totake place from July 11 to July 14.RECENT & UPCOMING EVENTSMarch 21 & 23 New Volunteers OrientationApril 17 Crime Stoppers Appreciation DinnerApril 20 International Volunteer Week CelebrationMay 4 Cops for Cancer Fundraising EventMay 11-17 Police WeekMay 16 Road and Rail Safety DayMay 18 CSV Garage SaleMay 26 Asian Heritage MonthMay 30 East Gwillimbury CPC 1 Year AnniversaryJune 1 Venturer Scouts Mock Disaster, York Region Community CupJune 2 Aurora Street FestivalJune 5 Seniors DayJune 8 Georgina CPC Car Seat Clinic, East Gwillimbury CPC Water Safety DayJune 28 CSV Golf TournamentJuly 11-14 Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games

International Volunteer Week Celebration – April 20, 2013We at York Regional Police recognize and appreciate our volunteers through various means.Community Partnerships have celebrated International Volunteer Week in past years, but this year thecelebration took on a new form. As our volunteer program grows, we see a need to provide you withtraining that will assist both in your volunteer duties and your own well-being.The YRP International Volunteer Week Celebration took place on April 20, 2013 at the Aurora HighSchool. We hosted a day-long lecture style training with talks on individual wellness in the morning andinformation about YRP operations in the afternoon. Guest speakers Jo Ann Rutledge-Miles (YRPFitness/ Wellness Coordinator), Dr. Misa Kawasaki (Naturopathic doctor, Meridian Wellness), LeslieWhite (YRP Communications Bureau Platoon Supervisor), Lori Magoffin (YRP Communicator), andConstable Chris Duffield (Air Support Unit) gave informative presentations to those in attendance, andthe day even featured giveaways such as free RMT massages and naturopathic consultations courtesyof Meridian Wellness in Aurora.We look forward to repeating the success of this year’s celebration, and hope to see you at the event in2014!

YRP Venturer Scouts Mock Disaster – June 1, 2013What do you do when a tornado, car wreck, traffic accident, political protest, house fire, andzombie attack all take place at the same time? The YRP Venturer Scouts found out on June 1,2013 during the bi-annual Venturer Scouts Mock Disaster. The Mock Disaster is an eventwhere Venturer Scouts aged 14-18 get a taste of what first responders do during a crisis. Theevent took place at the Community Safety Village, in partnership with other Venturer Scoutsaffiliated with St. John Ambulance, York EMS, Toronto Fire, and the Salvation Army. In all,over 70 participants were present. Each group of Venturer Scouts took on the roles of theirrespective affiliation and responded accordingly. The YRP Venturer Scouts played the part ofbrave police officers for the day, arresting looters and restoring public order. The event was abig success, thanks to the organization and enthusiasm by our own YRP Venturer Advisors.Special thanks to the YRP Auxiliary Officers and Special Events Volunteers who took part inthe event to play various roles throughout the day, including accident victims and zombies!

Police Week Open House – May 11, 2013National Police Week is an opportunity to reflecton the important role the men and women of ourpolice services play. Each year, the YorkRegional Police kick off Police Week with thePolice Week Open House at the CommunitySafety Village. As always, the Police Week OpenHouse featured displays from various YRP unitsshowcasing the multifaceted police work that YRPdoes daily. Thanks goes out to our sworn andcivilian members who made the event possiblewith their involvement.This year, the event was complemented bythe presence of several Special Olympicsathletes from York Region. Guests at theevent got the chance to meet our region’sown Olympic medal winners! This year’spolice week festivities were made possiblewith your help. From the Open House to theStation Tours taking place each day at ourfive district stations, you helped ensure thesuccess of the events.Special Olympics – YRP Volunteers Making the Difference!Throughout the past months, YRP Volunteers have supported the on-going efforts held to raiseboth funds and awareness to the Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games. Your dedicationand generosity in time and resources are not going unnoticed! We thank you for your continuedpartnership in making the games possible, and look forward to seeing many of you during thegames as volunteers and spectators!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHTIn this issue, we are putting Gerry Baird in the spotlight! Gerry has been anactive and contributing member of the YRP for years. Read more about herin the Q&A below:Gerry BairdSpecial Events Volunteer1. Tell us about yourself.I am widowed and a retired bank manager formerlyemployed with the CIBC for 35 years I have lived in theRegion of York for 45 years and during this time I havevolunteered with numerous community groups andcharitable organizations in the Region. My search to dosomething different in the community service area ledme to volunteer with the YRP.2. How did you come to learn about the YRP VolunteerProgram?I attended a YRP Citizens Academy Program at thelocal Seniors Centre and there was a presentationregarding volunteer opportunities with the YRP at thecompletion of the Seminar.3. How long have you been volunteering with the YorkRegional Police?5 years.4. Describe what your volunteer position role entails.I volunteer in the area of Special Events which could entail anything from helping with registration,food services, and set up/take down of the events. On occasion I have done other specific dutieswhen called upon.5. What volunteer experience is the most meaningful to you and why?Every event I have volunteered at has been meaningful to me in different ways. The Open House atthe Community Safety Village gives me great satisfaction and delight to see the children connectwith wonder and awe with our police officers - truly something to see! I also enjoy the Seniors Dayevery year as the pleasure I see and observe in our seniors when they are made to feel special andimportant is very meaningful to me. I do believe the best is yet to come as I have volunteered withthe Special Olympics and am looking forward to cheering on the athletes. It is not what you gatherbut what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.