TIMES COLONIST | timescolonist.com
Being a Courageous Mirror he cult of celebrity has been responsible for the rise in power of many people who were unsuited to, or who abused their leadership roles. Often the word used to describe these leaders is “charismatic”, as if that one trait alone were enough to qualify the candidate for the position. Sociologist Max Weber pointed out that “charisma” is a quality given to leaders by their followers, rather than it being something intrinsic. Perhaps now more than ever, courageous followers have a job to do in standing up to our leaders. Ideally, we would have compassionate people leading us but every leader needs courageous followers to point out their blind spots. We have a responsibility to be critical thinkers, to actively challenge our leaders and to contribute positive energy and constructive alternatives. We can be courageous followers even from behind our keyboards and screens. It is a delicate balance, as a follower, to serve and
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Peninsula Industry Sector ow I love summer in Victoria! Our wonderful weather continues unabated. Nonetheless, considerable and significant Peninsula Industrial Sector activity keeps chugging along. Recent highlights include the July inaugural First Nations and Industry bus tour. There is keen interest to find ways to embrace our Lower Vancouver Island First Nation’s communities into Peninsula Industrial sector job opportunities. We visited Slegg Building Materials, Viking Air and Epicure, culminating with a wonderful lunch at Epicure. First Nations community leaders from the Songhees and Tsawout Nations participated and started to build relationships with representatives from de vine Vineyards, Seastar Chemicals, Schneider Electric, Terra Remote, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Victoria Airport Authority, Sobeys and the Town of Sidney. Huge thanks to Heather Michaud with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Aireen Luney, Immigration Programs Branch with the Ministry of Jobs, Trade & Technology, for speaking to a group of industry representatives about immigration
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DENNY WARNER Executive Director, Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
support the leader while not competing for the lead role. There is no greater responsibility than speaking truth to power. Great followership can be more challenging than leadership — the rewards are less, the role can be more dangerous and must be exercised with incredible tact and finesse. Rather than blindly endorsing and being subservient to toxic leaders, we are called to seek out and support constructive, compassionate leaders. Edith Wharton wrote, ‘There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.’ When considering the candidates who put their names forward for positions on your board or as leaders of our country, I encourage you to first identify and support the worthy servantleaders, and then, post-election, continue your important work by being a courageous mirror and reflecting the light.
JOHN JURICIC Labour Market Consultant
employment programs and processes. This forum was held at the Vancouver Island Technology Park (VITP) in June. Thanks to human resource representatives from Epicure, Ralmax Group, Viking Air, Destinations Victoria, Nicholson Manufacturing, the Victoria Inter-Cultural Association, Slegg Building Supplies, the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Seastar Chemicals and AXYS Technologies for joining us that afternoon. Earlier in the spring, Peninsula Industry sector advocacy received a major sustainability shot in arm as the Sidney North Saanich Industrial Group (SNSIG) consolidated it’s operations with Saanich Peninsula Chamber. “The ongoing issues of affordable workforce housing availability, labour market concerns and increased transportation options will be best served in a sustainable and effective manner through the expert and experienced capacity of the Peninsula Chamber. I, ( John Juricic), look forward to working with the Chamber through this initial transition stage and developing the long-term association with this great Peninsula business organization.” john@harbourdigitalmedia.com
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019
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Gardener’s AUGUST To-do list BY DIGTHIS ater deeply. This long stretch of warm dry weather will stress plants unless you ensure their is sufficient water down where their roots are. Mulch the soil around the plants to prevent evaporation of moisture from the soil. Plant your winter garden now. September, when many new gardeners start to think about winter veggies, is too late. Sow arugula, beans, beets, broccoli raab, carrots, lettuce,Asian greens, peas, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, Swiss chard, turnips, and winter radishes that you want to eat over the winter. Check out West Coast Seeds’ Winter Planting Guide to learn what to plant now for fall and winter harvesting. Transplant winter broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower that were seeded earlier. Quick growing sweetheart cabbages such as Caraflex, Greyhound and Early Jersey Wakefield can still be started from seed. Pick herbs for fresh use and for drying. Harvesting will keep them growing longer. Keep deadheading flowers to keep the
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blooms coming. Leave some annual seeds to self-sow. Spread a mid-season layer of compost or manure. Remove any diseased foliage now, so it doesn’t get lost in the fall leaves. Cut back the foliage of early bloomers like Brunnera and hardy geranium, to revitalize the plants. Prune summer flowering shrubs as the flowers fade. Trim and feed hanging baskets to prolong their beauty. Increase watering of container plants. Watch for powdery mildew on zinnias and squash. Spray with a mixture of one tsp. baking soda mixed with one litre of water and a little liquid soap at the first sign of mildew. Give annuals and vegetables a boost with liquid seaweed fertilizer. Take pictures of your garden at peak. Take pictures of container combinations you’d like to repeat. Begin dividing perennials. Then sit back and enjoy all you’ve accomplished! digthis.com
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