Health

By Isabelle Privé:

We joined the Kilimanjaro adventure to live an extraordinary experience but we also wanted to promote good health.

Being in good health means respecting one's body. Feeding it properly and asking it to improve every day is the bottom line. Illness caused by an unhealthy life-style is the curse of our times. In a world of junk food, sedentary work and the latest technology, physical activity and a healthy diet become essential and are the only way to good health. We realize that it takes an effort each day to make the right decisions about food and to get up and move.

Evidently, it's not always easy to choose "good food" over fast food that's cheap and enticing. It's a challenge to read the labels, get enough protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates in varied meals every single day.

It's not necessarily easy to pick up your bag and go to the gym, go for a run or exercise at home, especially when you work, have children and supper to cook, when you're tired and the TV is near.

Neither is it easy to push yourself always further with the training to ensure good results.
So, why do we bother? Because, at the end of the day, it's worthwhile. Because we feel better for it, because it both calms us down and gives us more energy.  Because we end up feeling proud of ourselves and  having more self-confidence. Because it keeps us healthy.

It's like climbing a mountain. One step at a time, bit by bit. Maybe wondering sometimes why you're doing it but always proud to have done it.

From time to time, we'll be introducing our team members to you. You'll meet people who, at some point in their lives, decided to put their health first. We hope that our story will inspire you to start on the road to health and to persevere in your efforts.

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

The Recipe for Success

By André Lachapelle


Someone has an idea.

He shares his idea.

With people of like mind.

The idea takes shape, moves, grows and takes on a life of its own.

The idea becomes an institution.

But, before that, it has to go through a major transformation where failure is lurking at every step.

How can you tell, on the way to reaching your goal, if you're on the right path or not?

Look for the following ingredients in the recipe for success:

The first ingredient - others like the idea and make it their own.  First sign that you're on the right road.

The second ingredient -  the hangers-on - those who hesitate on the sidelines, expecting you to fail. Then, all of a sudden, when the project starts shaping up, they realize that success is possible, that they were wrong and -  they decide to come along after all.

Finally, the third ingredient -  The "Great American Pessimistic Grumbler".  Quite a bird!
 
He never assumes an active role in a project - he's the ultimate hanger-on, but with attitude. While the hanger-on ends up by joining the team, the "Great American Pessimistic Grumbler" sticks firmly to the sidelines and criticizes everything he can to anyone who'll listen.  He'll always find something to grumble about, with no help from anyone and he'll turn a small incident into a major battle-ground.

Don't worry! When you start seeing "Great American Pessimistic Grumblers" hovering over your project - take it positively!

It's the final ingredient that shows you're ready for take-off and a sure sign of future success.



Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Team Kili-2012 Now Has a Cause.... or More...

By André Lachapelle

Since the beginning of our fund-raising activities, we've had lots of support from Desjardins employees and from our families. The aim of these activities is to get more people involved as our costs are so high: transport, ascent, equipment, vaccinations, etc.. As a way in which to thank everyone who helps us, Team Kili-2012 has decided to volunteer our time and get involved in the community.

Our mission is to volunteer in different charitable, non-lucrative organisations, foundations and clubs. So, during the next 16 months, 30 volunteers (25 from Desjardins) will be giving their time, energy and  talents towards improving well-being in the community. Our first event will be on June 5 when 4 of us will man the phones for the Téléthon Opération Enfant Soleil 2011.

Other forthcoming activities - serving meals to the homeless, giving moral support in children's hospitals and visiting homes for the elderly, etc.. It's nice to receive, but it's equally important to give of oneself, to offer help and support wherever it's needed. Team Kili-2012 members are amenable, open-spirited, generous and full of empathy for others. If you know of a place where our presence could make a difference, don't hesitate telling us about it and we'll be very happy to help on your behalf.

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Another loss

By André Lachapelle


We're sorry to announce that Alexandre Eghtedari has decided to leave us in favour of other projects.

Good luck Alexandre!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Project Update - May

By Isabelle Privé

On Wednesday, April 27, we held our 3rd team meeting to review our activities, establish a few ground rules and announce SCD's support for the Kilimanjaro project.

(SCD = Desjardins Card Services)

Starting with an idea tossed out in December, the project has grown beyond all recognition. We are now 33 ready to embark on this adventure. Of these, 25 work for SCD.

We must mention Desjardins because the idea for this adventure grew from its values and initiatives regarding health and well-being. Values like team-work, excellence, innovation, pleasure and self-confidence have been adopted by SCD and are at the heart of both our project and our professional lives. Of course we want to get to the top of Africa's highest summit but we also want to make the most of the journey there. We want to live these values at each step of the way between now and "Day K". The most important value of all - do it TOGETHER.

Obviously we wanted Desjardins' blessing and collaboration and the presentation of the project, the team and our values was met with enthusiastic support. The administration decided to join the adventure by giving us access to all Desjardins' channels of communication, by giving us an internet site, together with technical support for communication, blog and internet uses. They also contributed financially to start us off - something we hadn't even dreamt of. In other words, our employers pledge to follow and support us every step of the way.

So we say THANK YOU to Desjardins Card Services for daring to set out on this adventure with us.

At our last meeting, a brainstorming session had thrown up some ideas for raising the $240 000 we'll need. Since then, we've carried out our first financing activity which was crowned with success. The Easter sale of chocolate - handmade by some of our members - and sold at the office, far surpassed our expectations. SCD employees have a sweet tooth and showed their support by buying our whole stock in just a few days. It was also the first time that we'd gone public as future Kilimanjaro climbers. We had a lot of fun producing the chocolates at Sylvain and Janie's. A real production line. Except when the Canadians scored!!! Chocolate's all very well but no question of missing the series!

With support from Desjardins and our first activity over, we now have to get down to the next step which is ORGANISATION. How do you organise 33 people so that everything works, the activities take place, information circulates and everyone is involved?

First of all, we must lay down some ground rules - a sort of contract that everyone accepts and which ensures that all members pull their weight equally, that there are no hangers-on in the team. It was decided at the outset that all funds raised by the team would belong to all the members and go towards financing the expedition. We also decided to get in shape and organise everything together. To become a real team, you have to find the means to nurture it.

Right from the beginning, it was essential for each member to get involved in the planning and execution of fund-raising activities; to be serious about getting fit, participating in walks, climbs and other physical activities; and, finally, to be assiduous in attending meetings, keeping informed and taking part in team decisions.

We've all accepted these principles. André and Manon will be charged with recording everyone's presence and participation.

We have agreed as well about who does what: Mélanie will keep a calendar of the fund-raising activities; André and Manon will keep everyone in line, be in charge of communications and act as treasurer; Martine will supervise communications outside the team. We've also volunteered individually to lead certain events.

There'll  be one-off events like a Bowl-a-thon, a wine and cheese party, and so on. There'll be on-going activities like the production and sale of home-made confectionary and muffins. And there'll be recurrent events like check-out grocery packing.

We also hope to illustrate our future web-site with photos of all these events and to post interesting articles on our blog and keep our readers up to date with our progress.

.......That was some meeting.......!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin 

We Have Our Logo!

By Manon Marleau

This week, Team Kili-2012 voted, out of several, for their official Logo - and the die is cast!

With no further ado, here is Team Kili-2012's official Logo...

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Our First Loss

By André Lachapelle

We've just had our first loss from the team.

We're sorry to say that Ismail Sabri has decided to leave us.

Good luck Ismail for the future and thank you for being part of our adventure.



Translated by Pamela Gauvin

The Team's Complete

By André Lachapelle


At the beginning, we established a limited recruitment period for Team Kili-2012, to ensure equity in fund-sharing. We thought it unfair for a late addition to the team to benefit from the fund-raising efforts made before by the other members.
Anybody wishing to join us after May 1st 2011 will be expected to assume full costs.

May 1st 2011 having passed, the team is now complete. Here is the message sent to all the members:

The recruitment period for the Kilimanjaro project ended on May 1st.

35 participants are ready for a unique experience!

It's a pleasure to announce their names:

Alexandre Eghtedari

Amélie Régimbal

André Lachapelle

Bruno-Pierre Lavoie

Carole Major

Catherine Fortin

Chantal Bonin

Daniel Leboeuf

Éric Bélanger

Éric Guay

Gabrielle Sangollo-Viens

Geneviève Rho

Isabelle Privé

Ismail Sabri

Janie Brunet

Julie Foster

Karine Duchesne

Laura Sharp

Line Roy

Louis Hamelin

Manon Fairfield

Manon Marleau

Marilyn Marier

Martine Lussier

Maude Garneau

Mélanie Lauzon

Nadine Lauzon

Nathalie Roussin

Nicolas Castonguay

Pascal Milette

Pierre Gauvin

Pierre Toshan

Richard Barbeau

Rosanna Chechile

Sylvain Thériault

 

WELCOME TO THIS WONDERFUL ADVENTURE!

During the coming months, the team will be inspired by our employer's values:

Team spirit, innovation, confidence, excellence and pleasure and by the motto
Dare to be Bold

For the project to be a success, we must act professionally at all times and in all our activities.
The most important conditions are the implication and enthusiasm of the members in carrying out well-coordinated activities.

The estimated cost of the project is $8000 per member.
To meet some of this cost, a Fund-raising Campaign lasting 16 months is planned.

Various activities will be organised and will be as diverse as possible. Some internal activities have already started but we now have to look at outside sources, such as friends, family, friends of the family and family of the friends - and  more!!!

Obviously, everyone's participation is essential  - that's the first aim of the team.

If you decide to withdraw, please let me know as soon as possible

Thanks for your cooperation.

We've  done it! Team Kilimanjaro 2012 is alive and well!

And now - full speed ahead with fund-raising!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Meet Isabelle

 By Isabelle Privé

"Only 2 years ago..."

Hello to everyone who's following our Kilimanjaro adventure.

My name is Isabelle. If you'd told me 2 years ago that I'd be joining such an adventure, I expect I'd have looked around to see who you were talking to!

At that time, I was smoking a packet a day, eating badly and didn't get much exercise.

On October 14, 2009, my life took a turn for the better when I stopped smoking, And that soon turned into an upward spiral towards better health.

Giving up smoking also means putting on weight so I realized that I had to do something about my diet. I was lucky enough to be able to attend sessions with a nutritionist put on by my employer. That too changed my life.

.

So - give up smoking and start a healthier diet.

Always thanks to my employer, I decided to participate in the 10km Montreal Marathon in 2010.
I wanted to walk....I ended up running 7 km out of 10! I had fallen in love with jogging! And I'm still in love with physical activity. I've developed a passion for jogging, yoga, zumba, Pilates and I'm hooked on the feeling of wellbeing that comes with a good workout.

To repeat: give up smoking, eat well, get more exercise.

So, last December, when I read, on the office electronic notice board, an invitation to join in an adventure and climb Mount Kilimanjaro, I only had one question:

"Will I be sorry if I don't do it?"

And as my reply was "Yes", I decided to go for it (in spite of empty pockets!) and rise to the challenge.

And up to now, I have no regrets. I've found a wonderful team - each member more motivated that the rest. What I love is that we're all "ordinary people" with a job and a family. No Olympic champions or millionnaires. We'll all have to work very hard on the fund-raising activities necessary to make our dream come true. We'll all have to train really hard to get to the fitness level required to reach the top. And I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else.

Do you get the feeling that I'm somewhat carried away with excitement?

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

We Have Our Official Name

By André Lachapelle

In April 2011, the whole team voted on the choice of our official name.

Kilimandjaro 2012 existed already - an organisation connected with Valleyfield Hospital, if I'm not mistaken...

.....anyway, the team has spoken!

And our official name is....... hold your breath..... drum roll!.....

KILI-2012

Nice, isn't it? It connects with the name we'd chosen in the first place, is short, efficient, unpretentious and representative.

A big thank you to Manon Marleau for having thought of it!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin