The Alberta Ferret Society, a member supported education and rescue
society, is entering it's 7th year and as I look back over the last six
years from it's humble beginnings to where it is today I am overcome with
awe and admiration.  I am in awe over the lives that have been saved and
the achievements that have been accomplished in the past six years and I
am filled with admiration for the hard work, dedication and commitment of
it's members.
 
I won't tell you its been an easy road because it hasn't been.  Far from
it.  There were times when just keeping it together was a real struggle
and giving up seemed like the easy road to take but with a lot of
determination and perseverance from our core members we kept going and
today we area beginning to reap the rewards as the AFS starts to take on
a life of it's own.  Today our name is recognized within the community's
we serve and throughout the province.  Today people treat the AFS with
respect.  Where once we had to plead for support now we can count on it.
Where once we had to hunt for opportunities to promote the AFS now those
opportunities come knocking on our door.  While the road to becoming a
charitable organization may not be easy one it does have its rewards.
 
The last few weeks have marked another milestone for the AFS and it's a
biggie as far as milestones go!  This is why I just have to brag.  I have
to brag because I am full too bursting with pride for the members of the
AFS who by working together have pulled off its biggest fundraiser yet, a
Casino event!.  I just had to share this with you because I know you will
share in my joy at their achievement and I know you will understand just
how important an event like this can be to a small time non-profit ferret
rescue organization.  The proceeds from this event are going to have a
huge impact on our ability to make Alberta a better place for ferrets.
 
In the province of Alberta, and possibly the rest of Canada as well,
Casinos are independently owned but must adhere to rules and regulations
as set out and reinforced by the government.  One of those rules is that
a percentage of all Casino revenues must be used to benefit non-profit
groups.  Non-profit groups can submit an application to the Alberta
Gaming & Liquor Commission (AGLC) to request approval to participate
in a Casino event.  You are required to submit a variety of documents
including a list of your active members and a commitment to providing
a specified number of volunteers to work a Casino event for a two day
period.  The use of the proceeds from the event is also strictly
controlled by the AGLC and you must submit a detailed list of what you
intend to use the proceeds for.  In general proceeds cannot be used to
cover administrative or day to day operational costs but there are a lot
of other uses that they will approve.  Once you receive approval to work
a Casino you then have a two year waiting period before your event.
 
Two years ago the AFS submitted their application and received their
approval.  On July 6th and 7th of this year thirty one members from our
Calgary and Edmonton Operating Centres worked in shifts for two days
straight to raise money for their organization.  The money raised during
this two-day event is then pooled with monies from other non-profit
groups that also participate over a three month period.  At the end of
the three months the money in the pool will be divided equally and will
be paid out to those groups that participated.  Expected proceeds for
each non-profit group are in the high five figure range.
 
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of its members the AFS has entered
a new level of professionalism.  We will soon have adequate funding in
place to cover the cost of things like ADV testing and special surgeries
(adrenal, insulinoma etc), new cages, carriers and shelter supplies,
colour brochures and public awareness posters, display boards for
educational tables, a professionally designed web page, computer
hardware, software and much much more.  As I mentioned previously the
proceeds from a Casino cannot be used for the administrative or day to
day operating costs so the AFS will still continue to hold its various
fundraisers throughout the year to meet these expenses.  But now we will
be able to do so much more......
 
The AFS has truly reached the next level in providing education
for ferret owners and shelter and care for stray, abandoned and
owner-surrendered ferrets.  And the best part is.......you can
participate in a Casino event every two years!  I can't thank the
members enough for making this possible.
 
I would definitely encourage other non-profits to look into similar
fundraising programs.  Although the paperwork can be a bit daunting and
coordinating the volunteers can be a bit stressful the benefits make it
well worth it.
 
Barbara Gustafson
Alberta Ferret Society
President
[Posted in FML issue 4209]