2011 Welcome Message - Ryan McDermott, Shinerama Chair

Hello blog-readers, I make this my first blog post as your National Chairperson.

I have never blogged before. So please be gentle on me bloggers. I guess a proper first blog might be a quick intro to who I am and what I hope to accomplish during the next couple of years with Shinerama.

Who am I? - well firstly 'Who am I?' is a great flick starring Jackie Chan that my grandmother gave me years and years ago. Features a truly butt-kicking scene where Jackie Chan is fighting with clogs on. Awesome stuff - I highly recommend!

Well a few things about me - I'm from Cornwall, PEI but I currently live in Winterpeg. I am a fan of many things in life - Aerosmith, the Montreal Canadiens, Albert Pujols, big tvs, Baconators, Pez, and dogs.

My turn offs include onions, public buses, garlic, cats, and anyone who might smell like any of those things.

I've been involved with Shinerama since 2002 and have been coming to the National Shinerama Conference since 2004. I consider myself pretty fortunate to be involved with all this and I really cherish all the memories and friendships that I've made.

So coming into 2011 & 2012 I'm really hoping to increase the sense of responsibility in everyone who is involved on every level. I hope to be a hands-on chair and I make myself available as much as possible through all the avenues available (phone, email, facebook, twitter, smoke signals, song). Already we have changed our Regional Directors' responsibilities and have increased the duties to each and every single National Campaign Advisor.

I think that compared to years past where Shinerama was seen as something fun to do and something that people will try to fit in as much as they can, this year is the beginning of our National team seeing Shinerama as a job - with real duties, real evaluations, real expectations, and taking a real time commitment.

I guess that's about it folks for my first blog. I will be trying to blog frequently to ensure that our blog is a place for everyone to congregate.

So take care for now and the next time I post something I'll certainly try and be a little more entertaining!

Ryan 'Ry-Dog' McDermott

Twitter: @rydogmcdermott

Exciting Annoucement - New Name & Logo as of February 2011

We are excited to announce that as of February 2011 we are changing our name to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Our name and logo will be different, but our commitment to finding a cure or control for cystic fibrosis is stronger than ever! By investing in high quality cystic fibrosis research and care programs, we have helped Canadian children and young adults live longer, healthier lives; but there is more work to be done.

The new symbol, which portrays an adult and child flying a kite, better reflects the people we help, the disease and our aspirations. Cystic fibrosis affects breathing and the kite communicates the movement of air.

More Information

Shinerama Sun Times Summer Issue is Here!

Happy Thursday Shine Nation!

The Shinerama Sun Times quarterly newsletter is now available online for your reading/viewing pleasure:

Shinerama Sun Times (Vol. 2, Summer)

We are excited to deliver the Summer 2010 issue in an environmentally conscientious and easy to read digital (PDF) format. From now on, instead of mailing out the newsletter, we will be posting them online and sharing them through email.

We'd love to hear your views & comments on the new initiative. Please comment below!

Shiney Update from Sackville - Mount Allison University

Sackville is continuing to be the Busiest City in the Maritimes! We’ve had two very successful events in the past couple of weeks! First, on July 29th we held a Garden Party and Silent Auction at Cranewood, which is the President of the University’s home. We held a BBQ in the backyard where people played croquet and bocce ball. Inside we had a silent auction, deserts and some lovely music performed by Sara-Beth Harrison. The biggest item up for grabs was the quilted MTA/Shinerama pillow that created quite the bidding war! Not only was it a great night, we ended up raising almost $850.00 for Shinerama!

 

Last weekend we held our First Ever Shinerama Cake Walk. Because there aren’t too many people in Sackville during the year, let alone the summer, we weren’t sure how a cake walk would go over… It went great though! We had about 12 cakes donated, 30-40 people show up and we raised almost $250.00! Some people were really lucky - with some people winning 2 or 3 cakes!

All in all it was a great event and almost everyone went home happy!!

Right now we’re planning a Beer Pong Tournament, some publicity events and Shine Day!!! Good Luck to everyone in the next month!

Liz Kerrigan
MTA Shinerama 2010
Twitter: @MountAllisonSAC

Update from NAIT - 2010 T-shirts and Fun Run Video!

NAIT's Shinerama total so far is $7,470!

Check out these awesome 2010 Shinerama T-shirt designs from NAIT:

Also, take a look at a fun Twitvid clip from NAIT's 1st annual Shinerama Fun Run/Walk by clicking HERE!

Teagan Gahler

2010 Shinerama Coordinator, NAIT Student Association
Twitter: @teagangahler

Shinerama Donation Website is LIVE!

We are very excited to announce that the Shinerama donation website is up and running and ready for some fundraising action!

Follow these easy steps to register today:

1. Go to http://www.shinerama.ca/ 
2. Click on the big orange “DONATE SHINERAMA” button on the top right of the page or the “Register Now!” link in the body of the page and this will take you to the donation website. (We have to send all registrants/donors through our CCFF website first because of Foundation protocol)
3. Click on the “Register Now” button located on the top left side of the donation website
4. Find your school or register as an Alumni or Virtual School (for any school without an official Shinerama campaign)
5. Register as an Individual, Team Captain or Team Member (you can join a team at any time!) 
6. Complete all the survey information and you are REGISTERED!!

We’ve added/improved some great features this year which include:

• An “Alumni” and “Virtual School” option which allows participants to register even if they are not currently enrolled in one of the Shinerama schools
• Personalize your pages by adding your favourite photos (maximum of 3) and videos (maximum of 3). We’ve included default images for now, which can be changed at will
• Addthis application (located on the left side of personal pages) which allows registrants to share their personal page on Facebook, Twitter, Delicious & tons of other social media mediums!
• A link to the Shinerama (@Shinerama) twitter on all pages
• A link to the Shinerama Blog on the main page

Ways to Promote the Shinerama Website (other than social media):

• Ask the Registrar’s office to send an email to first years or in a summer package
• Link it from your school’s website
• Inter-department web site/message system
• Have your Orientation-week team put it on all of their promotional pieces

Once you’ve logged in, all the information you need on fundraising and creating teams is located by clicking on the “Fundraising” or “Team” tabs at the top of the page.

GOOD LUCK ON ALL YOUR FUNDRAISING - WE CAN’T WAIT TO REACH THE

$1 MILLION GOAL THIS YEAR!!!

The $1 million goal is only possible if you TELL EVERYONE about your fundraising goals and this site. Remember to share all summer long with the new frosh this summer, school clubs, departments, sport teams and administration. Make it fun – create fun challenges for friendly competition!!

Please note - if you have a few moments, we'd love to hear your feedback on the website!

Contact Alexis at 1-800-378-2233 x241 or by email

University College (U of T) & Ryerson Engineering Host 1st Club Night Collaboration!

Hey Shine Nation!

On July 9th, University College at the University of Toronto and Ryerson Engineering hosted our first joint event of the summer! A packed club night in heart of downtown Toronto’s entertainment district! It was an extremely successful night, with partiers from both schools mixing and having an amazing time all in the name of a great cause.

Having raised $1,000, the Shinerama organizers from both schools are immensely proud of our first collaboration, and are looking forward to bringing together Toronto schools for even more successful events in the future!

Special thanks to London Tap House for hosting our event, and the assistance of their staff during the evening. Also, HUGE thanks to all of the University of Toronto and Ryerson students who came out to support this event.

Stay tuned for more Toronto Shining!
Regards,

University College (U of T) and Ryerson Shinerama Teams

September 7th Declared Official Shine Day in Prince Edward Island!

Hello Shiner Nation!

UPEI is very proud to announce that September 7th, 2010 will be declared Shinerama Day by Prince Edward Island’s premier, the honourable Robert Ghiz. He will be attending our kick-off to sign the proclamation and speak to our Shiners before they head out (we’ll also be giving him a Shinerama t-shirt, but don’t tell! It’s a surprise).

The proclamation is an excellent opportunity for UPEI to promote our Shinerama campaign. It is a way to demonstrate solidarity between the university and the community as we work together to fight cystic fibrosis. It shows that our local politicians support Shinerama and the volunteer work of our Shiners. And with politicians around, there is always a great chance for a photo op to accompany those press releases! Getting might seem like a daunting task, but it is really quite simple. All it takes is the proper lines of communication and a little persistence. For our proclamation, we sent a letter to the premier’s office which included background information on Shinerama and UPEI’s involvement. We asked for the declaration and included an invitation for him to attend our kick-off. About a week later we sent a follow up email to see if he had received the letter yet, and included the main points of the letter in case he hadn’t. Within a couple of weeks we received an email from Premier Robert Ghiz’s personal secretary, telling us that the premier would be happy to declare Shinerama Day on PEI and attend our kick-off. Success!

Join the UPEI Shinerama Facebook group and follow @UPEIShinerama on Twitter to get all the updates on our 2010 Shinerama Campaign! We will be sure to let you all know our kick-off with Premier Robert Ghiz goes!

Bethany Mayne
2010 Shinerama Coordinator, University of Prince Edward Island

CCFF Celebrates 50 Years of Progress

Shinerama Highlights

1961 Student leaders at Waterloo Lutheran University (now Sir Wilfrid Laurier University) looked for a way to have fun and help others during Orientation Week. A student suggests shining shoes in exchange for donations. Shinerama is born and raises $1,300 for a local school for the mentally challenged.

1964 Parents of children with cystic fibrosis in Waterloo (Ontario) tell the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) about Shinerama's success. They challenge the Foundation to make Shinerama a CF fundraiser at other schools. Eight universities and colleges rise to the challenge and raise more than $9,000.

1971 Canadian celebrities hear about Shinerama! Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau has his shoes shined. Superstar Bobby Orr's ice skates gleam!

1979 The 'International Year of the Child' holds special meaning for Shinerama students. They redouble their efforts to help thousands of Canadian children with cystic fibrosis.

1986 Mila Mulroney, the Foundation’s Honourary Director, receives the first, official 'shine' of the 1986 Shinerama campaign at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo (Ontario).

1988 Shinerama celebrates its 25th as a national CCFF fundraiser! Broadcaster Knowlton Nash lends his support to the campaign and recognizes the hard work of student volunteers since 1964.

1993 Shinerama students from the University of Western Ontario in London (Ontario) raise an unprecedented $117,000 for CF research! Shinerama raises $675,000 – its best campaign ever!

1994 TV station, MuchMusic, agrees to plug Shinerama and the cystic fibrosis cause during September.

1997 The first-ever Shiner draw takes place to thank students for participating in Shinerama. First prize is a flight for two to Europe donated by Royal Airlines! Sponsors Pizza Pizza and Kiwi Canada donate other great prizes.

1998 Rocket Richard gets his shoes shined at Nipissing University (Ontario). Singer Chantal Kreviazuk draws the winning Shinerific Draw ticket at the University of New Brunswick (Fredericton).

1999 Shinerama turns 35

2002 Shinerama breaks all fundraising records – raising more than $840,000. Zellers becomes an official supplier donating gift certificates to schools for car wash supplies. Media sponsor MuchMusic sends VJ Amanda Walsh to Ottawa Shinerama campaigns.

2003 Shinerama welcomes a record number of students and schools – raising almost $952,000. It breaks the record for the largest object shined – a Canadian warship. The honour for the highest amount raised by a single school goes to Wilfrid Laurier University – $177,000.

2004 Shinerama turns 40. It grabs national media attention – with over 5.6 million impressions in newspapers Canada-wide.

2005 After a hiatus of several years, Shinerama returns to Quebec with campaigns at McGill University and Bishop’s University. They help the campaign gross more than $920,640, its second highest total ever.

2006 Another record breaking year – $965,371

2007 Shinerama celebrates with a record-breaking year with more than $985,000 raised at 65 schools across Canada, an all time high on both counts! Also marked the first ever blue and orange RV on an across Canada summer tour to promote Shinerama and CF awareness. The students from the University of Western Ontario (aka Epic Pull) raised more than $50,000!

2008 Students from Canadore College and Nipissing University create the largest Shinerama banner, which hung under the local overpass for the month of September in North Bay. Several new schools joined Shinerama for the first time helping the 2008 campaign raise $953,000 for cystic fibrosis research and care.

2009 Shinerama turns 45!

Check out the Shinerama website for more Shinerama info!