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Gerald Venturi – Volunteering with DUC – A Number 1 Fundraiser 
Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., April 12, 2010 — Not a week goes by that Gerald Venturi of Coniston, Ontario, is not doing something for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). Whether it be fundraising for the annual dinner, distributing easels for Sealed Bid Auctions (SBA) or designing and building wood duck nest boxes with a couple of buddies on a Saturday afternoon, Gerald is as dedicated as they come. An outdoorsman at heart, he is driven by his strong work ethic, his community-minded spirit and his commitment to excellence.
A retired grocery store owner, Gerald has been a DUC supporter for about 15 years and has chaired the Coniston committee near Sudbury for the past seven years – a role that fits well with his leadership qualities and organizational skills. And although the dinners are his biggest source of pride – attendance has more than doubled from 85 to 190 since he became chair – he is also among the top SBA fundraisers in Canada. Not bad for a small Northern Ontario town lad – but also not surprising. Gerald is extremely well respected and garners immense support for DUC in Coniston.
“One thing I have learned about volunteering with DUC over the years is how strong the organization is and how much they respect and appreciate their volunteers,” says Gerald. “Whenever I have a question or a concern, I can always reach someone from within the organization – it makes my role as a volunteer that much easier and that much more meaningful.”
Gerald has also developed many skills as a result of his volunteer efforts. For example, he has learned a great deal about recruiting volunteers, particularly with regard to the types of roles that appeal to potential volunteers – some people are happy to work at the dinners and others want to be out in the marsh setting up wood duck nest boxes. He likes to find out the interests and aptitudes of the committee members so that they get the most out of their volunteer experience with DUC.
“Gerald is without a doubt our ‘star’ volunteer. Ever since I met him I have been very impressed with his dedication to DUC,” says Andy Laidley, DUC’s fundraising manager in Ontario. “Gerald has made our team stronger. He is a natural leader and because of that people gravitate to him and want to emulate his enthusiasm and success. We all learn from him.”
“National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, is our opportunity to celebrate DUC’s team of 7,400 dedicated volunteers like Gerald,” says Loraine Nyokong, DUC director of event and retail fundraising. “DUC volunteers are continually giving freely of themselves to organize fundraising events across Canada for the benefit of wetland conservation. They are the driving force behind our success.”
“Coniston is a great place to live,” says Gerald. “Local businesses, in particular, have been solid supporters of the SBA program as well as our annual dinner. I am grateful to live among like-minded people who are giving back to the community and supporting DUC wetland conservation efforts.”
Funds raised by volunteers like Gerald directly support DUC’s Wetlands for Tomorrow campaign – the largest conservation fundraising campaign in the history of North America. It spans three countries as DUC works alongside Ducks Unlimited, Inc. in the United States and Ducks Unlimited Mexico to conserve wetlands for waterfowl, other wildlife and people.
For more information, contact:
Ashley Lewis, a_lewis@ducks.ca
Communications Coordinator, Fundraising
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: 204-467-3252
