Experts Wanted

by: CESO

Volunteering with CESO means using years of experience to help local and international communities in need.

As a child in Cúcuta, Colombia, Johan Castañeda’s mother used a simple idea to transform his father’s job as a salesman into a successful clothing shop, leading to a better standard of living for the family. In a similar fashion, CESO Volunteer Advisors apply their unique skills and expertise to a particular project, regularly producing dramatic long-term results.

In the early 1990s, the Colombian government reduced restrictions on imports, lowering the price of highly coveted foreign brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Benetton. Relatively small, informal textile and clothing shops have since struggled to compete against multi-nationals, often losing clients and laying off employees. Among them was the Castañeda family business, an enterprise that employed 250 workers and was exporting to eight countries.

Alex Vega, one of CESO’s Volunteer Advisors, brought decades of managerial experience in the apparel industry and his passion for garment production to Colombia to share his expertise with small, family-run garment factories. He had worked as a manufacturing manager for Levi Strauss in the Philippines for six years and as plant manager at S.C. Walker Manufacturing (later Todd Uniforms) in Ottawa for 16 years, before retiring in 2002.

Vega collaborated with the Castañeda family clothing business in 2007 and with 32 other companies over the next two years. His recommendations led directly to huge improvements in quality and productivity. Within two days of implementing Vega’s recommendations, production levels tripled, and they were able to double the salary paid to their employees and to satellite operations, while seeing profits rise.

Providing Opportunity, Ensuring Growth

For more than 40 years CESO has facilitated over 46,000 assignments like this across Canada and abroad in the areas of social and economic development, governance, youth and environment. Through the dedication of their volunteers, the registered charity provides small to medium-sized businesses with the knowledge and skills necessary to build sustainable foundations for growth. The difference between CESO and many other volunteer-sending organizations is the fact that it draws on the expertise of Canadians who have developed an extensive resume in their industry. Many volunteers are industry leaders and experts who, prior to retirement, were called upon for consultation by major companies. By becoming a CESO Volunteer Advisor, they are able to continue utilizing their expertise to help those in need.

“Over the course of CESO’s history we have been able to provide individuals with expert guidance and support to address their businesses immediate challenges. The quality of consultation that our Volunteer Advisors provide is not something that could normally be afforded by a struggling company. By having experts on board working with CESO as advisors, we make it possible for these businesses to acquire the expert advice needed; thereby improving the viability of the business and creating opportunities for the local community,” says Don Johnston, CEO and President of CESO.

Recently, representatives from CESO gave a presentation about the organization to members of the Deloitte staff. The presentation highlighted current volunteer opportunities and CESO’s well-established history of assisting Aboriginal communities in Canada and international small to medium-sized businesses. According to Jason Laing, CESO’s Recruitment Manager, the information was well-received resulting in some Deloitte staff recently submitting applications to become volunteers.

“Giving back to communities through CESO has been an invaluable experience for me,” says Pauline Laing, CESO Volunteer Advisor. “I have been able to travel to interesting locations while utilizing my skills and experience to help others. Rather than simply be selected for my availability, I am selected for my expertise in a certain area. That makes the volunteer experience mean even more to me as it means my time is valued and that I am going on an assignment where I can actually make a meaningful difference.”

For many Canadians, spending their time after retirement means giving back in some way. Volunteering with CESO has offered many retirees ways to stay involved in their communities and put the years of experience they have acquired to good use. For recipients of CESO volunteerism, like the Castañeda family, they view CESO’s services as a way to access quality help, grow their businesses and, in turn, provide job opportunity and security to local workers. It’s a positive chain reaction that supports CESO’s vision of a world where there are sustainable social and economic opportunities for all.

What’s Involved

• Current assignment opportunities are in Aboriginal communities across Canada and in Central and South-America, Asia and the Caribbean.
• Average length of an assignment is 2 – 4 weeks. However, assignments in Haiti often last 3 or more months.
• Spouses can accompany a Volunteer Advisor on assignment at own cost.
• There is a $100 fee to maintain active status in CESO’s resource database. This fee is required upon approval of application and covers expenses not paid for by our primary funders, such as volunteer communications and database management.
• Information sessions are held regularly for interested applicants at CESO office. Contact Jason Laing at jlaing@ceso-saco.com for information.
  
  

Posted in: Giving Back