RBC Director inspired to support BCCFA June 18, 2012 by Camille Jensen
Alan Rae raises awareness and funds for the Centre
Just last week as Alan Rae got ready to board a plane to the United States, a customs officer asked him what a pin, a small kite he wears on his jacket, represented.
The kite is the BC Centre for Ability’s (BCCFA) logo, and is one of the many ways Alan, Vice-President and Director of RBC’s Wealth Management Team, creates opportunities to raise awareness about the Centre and its services.
“I set that as a daily task,” says Alan, on starting conversations about the Centre. “It’s spreading the word.”
Alan decided to join BCCFA’s board three years ago to generate greater awareness of BCCFA and the great work it does. He remembers being frustrated when he would hand out his BCCFA card and had people ask what the organization was.
Through increased online presence that includes a revamped, accessible website, Stakeholder News program called Abilities Express, and social media, Alan is proud to see more people saying “ that’s terrific, great work that you’re doing,” when they hear he’s with the Centre.
Alan adds the increased awareness is also apparent at Dining for Dreams, which for the past two years has hit a new fundraising record of $160,000 and $200,000 respectively. Alan says it’s “very gratifying to see a growing attendance, and a lot of enthusiasm, but most importantly an enhanced awareness of what we’re doing and what we stand for.”
He says with an increased awareness comes funding, which helps the Centre pay for recent refurbishments to expand the Centre and its services.
Towards this goal, Alan is also working steadfastly. RBC has been a platinum sponsor of Dining for Dreams for the past three years. RBC's foundation is supportive of employees committing time to work with nonprofit organizations of their choosing, and respects staff recommendations to donate money to a desired charity; for this, Alan recommends BCCFA.
At this year’s Dining for Dreams, Alan presented participants with an envelope from a Centre youth group that included the small kite pin. He hoped the pin would serve as a reminder of the stories of inspiration they heard from the Centre’s Heroes of Ability.
Alan also reminded the audience that “stories can create change.”
Feel free to e-mail camille(at)axiomnews.ca to comment on this story.
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