Individuals

Individual members form the backbone of our organization. The activities of the BCSEA are made possible by their passionate volunteer effort.

Featured Member

Blaise Salmon, Victoria

Blaise Salmon is currently Executive Director of Oikocredit Canada – West. Oikocredit International, based in the Netherlands, channels individual savings and RRSPs to microfinance operators in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Prior to this he was and investment advisor, and president of RESULTS Canada, a grassroots global poverty advocacy group. Blaise was also one of the BCSEA’s first monthly members and, in a recent interview, he talked about his support of the BCSEA.

Q. Why are you a BCSEA member?

Blaise: The first word that comes to mind when I think of the BCSEA is ‘inspirational’. Their ability to come up with solutions, to motivate people to get involved, and their perseverance to see the solutions through…the BCSEA’s leadership on climate issues is very attractive to me.

And ultimately, on issues like climate change, you can’t get anywhere without government. Good advocacy makes all the difference, and that’s what I think the BCSEA excels at.

Q. What to you are the most important aspects of the BCSEA’s work?

Blaise: I think that, like a lot of people, I’m really busy. Between my family and my work, I don’t have a lot of free time, and I find it hard to keep up with a lot of the technical details of climate and energy issues. The BCSEA has my confidence that they will do the right things, identify the right areas of need and take action, in ways that I’m not able to.

Q. Why do you choose to give monthly gifts to the BCSEA?

Blaise: Like I said, I get busy. I think I’ve only ever made it to two local chapter meetings. I can give my financial support, but I’d probably miss renewal notices. With monthly gifts I don’t have to worry about it, and I know it helps the organization plan and be more effective. I like that monthly gifts allow me to make a positive contribution in an easy way that fits with the rest of my life.

Q. What would you say to someone who’s considering joining the BCSEA?

Blaise: That’s simple: what are you waiting for? If you’re concerned about climate change, this is one of the small, easy steps you can take to make a difference.