YOU SAID IT: Keep National Gallery volunteers working

KEEP NATIONAL GALLERY VOLUNTEERS WORKING

Article content

Article content

Recommended Videos

Article content

Re: Collecting dust?; Volunteers at National Gallery worry about opportunities vanishing, May 18

The article by Matteo Cimellaro provided an excellent and balanced assessment of the frustration of National Gallery of Canada volunteers with the gallery’s inability to provide meaningful (any) work for their volunteers. We are well-trained, often by senior curators, we are knowledgeable — many of us were professional art teachers and authors — and we are FREE.

Ruth Lau MacDonald, PSAC’S regional executive vice-president, stated the “union’s members deeply value the work of volunteers and we believe the gallery would be diminished without the unique contributions of both groups.” She further stated that the collective agreement ensures that the volunteers complement — not replace — trained staff, and “together, volunteers and staff make the gallery a vibrant accessible space for learning and engagement.”

Article content

So, if the union isn’t a problem, it must be the chosen direction of senior management who wish to divorce the gallery from the volunteers?

Why? Was it Angelia Cassie’s ill-advised strategic plan that resulted in the firing of four senior staff? (Cassie was interim director at the time of the firings.)

The NGC volunteers have often been the face of the gallery when interacting with the public and have a very positive impact on the gallery’s success. Keep us working!

BRIAN OICKLE

25-year NGC volunteer

CANADIANS HAD THEIR CHANCE

A Nanos Research poll states that Canadians’ top concern is now “jobs and the economy.” Really! Guess what: It’s too late to change your minds.

Canadians had the chance to elect the Conservatives, who have stated publicly, for years, that these were among their top concerns and priorities, but what did “low-information, cowardly“ Canadians do? They re-elected the same government that caused all those problems in the first place.

Buyer’s remorse will do nothing to reverse the four years of misery ahead of us with the Mark Carney Liberal government. It’s too late; you missed the boat. You had the chance, but you chickened out.

Unfortunately, the rest of us will have to suffer the consequences right along with you.

BETTY-ANNE TREMBLAY

OTTAWA

HAVE YOUR SAY

Your letters are welcome, at: OttSun.Oped@sunmedia.ca. Include your first and last name AND city/town. Keep your letters short — and please try to be civil, even when criticizing or disagreeing. We edit for accuracy, length, clarity and legal concerns.

Article content