NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK & TARTAN DAY, WOVEN TOGETHER

By Dave Johnston

April 16th to the 23rd  is National Volunteer Week in Canada. The theme for 2023 is Volunteering Weaves Us Together. This speaks to the importance of volunteering to the strength and vibrancy of our communities through the interconnected actions we take to support one another. These diverse forms of sharing our time, talent and energy strengthen the fabric of our community.

Through volunteering we experience our interconnectedness, which enriches our lives making them more meaningful. Getting involved in various ways, we find friendship, develop trust, and link our relationships. Threading these connections, we come to belong as we contribute towards the same goals.

April 6th  is Tartan Day and, as any good Scot knows, Tartan is a woolen cloth woven in one of several patterns of plaid, especially of a design associated with a particular Scottish clan. Like volunteering, Tartan weaves clans, and Scots, and even the world. The One World Together tartan was designed in honour of our planet and our home and is a reminder that the sustainability of our planet is the responsibility of us all. The name represents how we share this one world, and how together we can make a difference in keeping it healthy and protecting its inhabitants, lands and oceans. Colours: green represents maintaining a healthy planet; blue represents the world’s oceans; white represents peace; black represents dignity and equality and red represents love.

The Scottish Society of Ottawa appreciates its dedicated volunteers without whom we could not make possible all of our great community events, such as Hogman-eh!, Burns Supper, or Great Canadian Kilt Skate. These events weave together Scots and Scot enthusiasts in the Ottawa area. To show our appreciation the SSO is planning a Volunteer Appreciation get together in April. Details to be confirmed soon.

One World Together, a Patrick King tartan

Dave Johnston is our Volunteer Director and a Piper. He can be reached at volunteer@ottscot.ca