麻豆视频

Sometimes it takes a difficult situation for people and organizations to take a long, hard look in the mirror, and make necessary changes.

The Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion appears to have gone through such an experience, and is seemingly emerging stronger because of it.

The legion鈥檚 financial difficulties have been well-documented. At one point earlier this year, the organization had more than $40,000 in combined debts, with interest rates above 20 per cent. Cheques had bounced. And the legion was talking about it might look in the future.

The community has come through with tremendous support, showing, once again, the generosity of the people of Estevan.

But the community鈥檚 recognition of the value of the legion is only part of the story. The legion鈥檚 willingness to make changes and ensure its long-term sustainability also needs to be shared.

When people make a donation, they want to know their money is being put to good use. Non-profits are learning that lesson. Organizations which prove donations are going in the proper direction are being rewarded by the public.

Organizations that spend too much on administration, salaries and postage are seeing their donations diminish.

So it鈥檚 been important for the legion to not only share their financial struggles, but to let people know where the donations are going.

The legion has been relying on volunteers in areas where it once had paid staff. It has improved its record-keeping. And while it is looking to hire a bookkeeper, contracting out someone who can keep a close eye on the financial statements is a good thing, and not an example of wasteful spending.

While the legion isn鈥檛 putting its buildings on the market, there have been musings about whether it needs all of the buildings that it currently boasts, or whether it could be just as effective by leasing buildings, as opposed to owning them.

(There are a lot of people and organizations in the community who have rented the legion鈥檚 facilities who certainly hope it will retain its current buildings, but the legion has to do what鈥檚 best for the organization).

The legion has paid down much of its debt, but it still has a lot of work to do.

It wasn鈥檛 easy for the legion to step forward and admit their mistakes to the public. The organization could have merely decided to try to get by on internal fundraising and donations alone, and kept financial woes quiet.

It certainly wasn鈥檛 easy to go before city council and ask for support, because a lot of people didn鈥檛 want to see taxpayer dollars directed to an organization in debt.

But we find that people are generally pretty understanding, and willing to give second chances. Admit a mistake, explain how it happened and describe ways the error will be addressed. Do that, and people will forgive and even support you.

The community has shown the legion that it still believes in the organization and the good work it does in the Estevan area. We hope the support for the legion will continue.

Now it鈥檚 incumbent for the legion to reward that trust. We鈥檙e confident that will be the case. But if that doesn鈥檛 happen, the public might not be so willing to give another chance. 聽聽