My work as a volunteer has a strong intellectual component.

Much of what I do involves extensive work.

Strategic thinking is another key ingredient.

Usually I consult with people who have more experience than I do, in order to develop a strategic plan that is suitable for a given situation.

Aside from engaging in strategic thinking, by consulting with other people, I also spend time thinking about what we’re doing.

I like to do my homework.

The metaphor that comes to mind is the script that is created before a movie is made.

If it’s a great script, there’s a chance the movie will reach a lot of people.

Part of the time I work at volunteer projects related to heritage preservation. The other part of the time I listen.

On October 26, 2010 I became involved with heritage preservation

I became involved with local heritage issues on October 26, 2010 when I learned that the Toronto District School Board was going to sell Parkview School at 85 Forty First Street in Long Branch, which is close to where we live.

We live a one-minute walk from the location, on the school grounds of Parkview School, where Colonel Samuel Smith built his log cabin in 1797.

The sale of Parkview School turned out to be a ‘good news’ story for the local community.

On August 25, 2011, MPP Laurel Broten, now Ontario’s Minister of Education, announced that the province would provide $5.2 million in funding to enable the French public school board Conseil scolaire Viamonde to purchase Parkview School from the Toronto District School Board. A new French elementary school is slated to open at the site in 2013.

We owe thanks to Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Laurel Broten; Ward 3, Etobicoke-Lakeshore TDSB Trustee Pamela Gough; and large numbers of people who wrote letters in support of keeping Parkview School in public hands. We owe special thanks to Bert Crandall and Michael Harrison for their extensive archival research related to this project.

The one-page letter from the community emphasized the value of the Parkview School grounds as a significant archaeological site.

Such letters, along with mailing lists, blog posts, Twitter and Facebook posts, Heritage Walks, Jane’s Walks, Tree Walks, and Heritage Bike Rides, are a great way to share information about local history.

Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Laurel Broten (on left) and Gyslaine Hunter-Perrault of Conseil scolaire Viamonde

On August 25, 2011, Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Laurel Broten (shown here with Gyslaine Hunter-Perrault of Conseil scolaire Viamonde) announced that the provincial government would provide $5.2 million in funding to ensure that Parkview School remains in public hands.