The Canadian Jewish News, Thursday, June 26, 1986-Page 19
Activist ^^a true picture of professionalism"
no excuses in
One of the "Women of Valor "honored by State of Israel Bonds recently was Patti Starrs who is profiled here. This is the 6th in a series_on the hohorees.
pall u;ngen
rORONTO - '
Meeting Patti Starr tor' thc.first tiinc is not an c\-pcricnce tor the taint licartcd. . ■ . ,; ^
Whether it's in a quiet, sedate riVoiivor in a crowded, iioisy one. Starr can niake her presence quickly known.-
She has that special quality; .some call it ex-uberanee:and drive. others say she's vpushy and detnanding. her road to public prominence littered with the still-warm bodies of people.who got in hei" wiiy-'
Whichever view you take;- one; thing is undeniable; Patti Starr is never dull.
Over the. course .of a l-hour interview in ; her cluttered office, at the National .Council of Jewish Women's Council House. Starr admitted she'.s viewed by some as!abrasive and hard to net alone with.
But she makes no. apologies. Oti the cpiitrary: she praelieally revels in her reputation — but for good reason. :she says. . ~
Her approach to volunteer fund raising (for a nui[nber of projects in the Jewish and general conimuriities) is that she delivers on what she promises. That may mean getthig on the backs of those who are charged with implementing the projects for .which she's helped arraiige the financing.:.
: "All. 1 • have is m\ credibility." says Starr. "1 won't accept shcxldy rep<;ir-ting. supervising'! or ad-:., ministration of projects-
: she's iiivolved with; If moiiey raised towards a particular : goal ;is squaiiidered. lost or. put towards something the
. donors didn't envi.sion, that reflects on her and her future abilities to rai.se liioney for other projects.
.\s a resuIt, Starr brooks no excuses. .
But as a further result, "Igetthejobdone."she claims.
Starr loves the attention her up front attitude garners. "I'm an activist," she savs. V'l like
The unveiling, of a monument i n meiiiory o four late beloved fat he r
:: SAM SHIFFMAN V:i y
. will take place Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m.
Mount Sinai Memorial Park, Wilson Ave. (Oz-rower Section).
Relatives and friend-s are iriyited to attend.
the credit, the high profile, the high visibility.' ■
That high profile was never more iri evidence -than as a result of the largest project she's.worked on to date;— rai.sing,'-funds for the Prince Chat-leS Housing Ph)jcct. a S 10.5 million. I6b-u.nii. . housing complex for seniors;, families and the ,: d i sab led opo rated by the • To r(1 nto: • section o f t h e. :NCJW:Ch;vritable Found-: at ion. ;
Starr, as president of the Foundation, will: oversee its SLiz. million operating budeet alo.nu with others on. a;NCJW:ttaiiV. ; . .
In pushing the project: through. Starr nianaged to persuade Canada Mortgage and 'Housing C0rp. into underwriting a $10 million iiiortgage and persuaded Ontario's social .services ministry to commit $ 1.2 million to an attendant care program for disabled : residents.
When Starr tackle.s a project. she di->es *'the interpretation, conceptual i/.r irigbased on funding, then adjusting the project so it ^works,'': .
, So far in her volunteer career. Starr takes credit tor raising abtiut S4 million duriiig the last six years (excluding the hou.sing project) for various Organizations she's worked with, including $700,000 for accessibility, renovations and to develop a computer sy-stem at NCJW.
Starr has been an active volunteer for. 20 years. She's worked with Cana-
dian Jewish Congress, the Jewi.sh Cbininunity Centre, the Uiijied Way ot Met[opolitan Toronto and she wa.vthe 1985 campaign chairwoman tor North York Mayor Mel -Lastinan's reelection c-ampaign, ; She got her start in the ■ volunteer sector when at age 2. Is he was a d r i ve r t o r .Meals on .Wheels. With her baby in the back seat and •her zavde. Get/.el Stern, accompanying her, Starr delivered food to those in need,.
She credits her zayde. a former riiashgiach, with instilling in her a sense for Izedakah, which, because the family was not well to do, meant service, hot just donating money.
Following her mtal. deliveriies, her zayde would boa.st to his friends about the einekel (granddaughter) who did charity work, Starr says. For his 90th birthday-, Starr recalls, she sat down with him and read a page of Chumash, arguing over the finer points of interpretation. ; From meal delivery Starr eventually nioved: to ad-ininistrative.work. and the rest. a.s. they .s;iy, is hi.storv'.
Married twice with four ; children. Starr tries to.find: time in the evenings for her husband Jerry and. her family.
.\\. 44, Starr's horizons are still expanding. She'.s been a.sked whether She'd like to get involved in politics, but she's declined.
Patti Starr
■ 1 don't think I'm capable of .the fence sitting required."
But she is interested in leadership: "Ivm building bridges," she says, "but I: don't know where."
While Starr admits to having ambitions beyond the volunteer sector.
perhaps one day e;arning a living at what she does, Georgina Grossman is hap-pv with Starr's contribution
to NCjw: ;
. "She's a true picture of professionalism.'" Grossman, director of Vo 1 u ntee rs for the Toron to ^iCction of NCJW. says.
Starr's views on volunteerism in the Toron--to Jewish community might raise some eyebrtnvs —: had they come troni so-1 meoneelse. It'sditficuli. t or some J ewI sli t)rga n I za -tions to get young prote-s-sionals to., volunteer because most don't warn .the aggravation ' that comes when vou decline to follow the partv line. Instead. • thev walk, she ■.savs. .-.
L.xtrapolatmg from her -own situation, she .savsshe was: at times simply told that's the way it is ' when shc: questioned . and dissented ■ from accepted . practices. ■
■ 1 don't have an inch on . my bcxly that doesn't have a knife wound," she .say.s; : 'People see that and thev walk.'
But tor Starr, the reward.s of volunteer work are too great. While .she loves the public attention, it's getting thing.s done that really motivates her. :
''If I had to chckisc'between recognition and success, I'd chcxise success." she says..
AKIVA'S KOSHER FOODS
LAWRENCE
PLAZA
781-5636
Open Sunday-Friday 3858 Every Item in store priced on Special BATHURST We reserve the right to limit quantities. 635-0470
SABBATH ■ CANDLES
72 s $3-99
FRESH WHITE FISH
$1.99 lb
Race Relations Policies and Programs $38,797-$47,223
The METROPOLITAN TORONTO HOUSING AUTHORITY is currently seeking.an individual with extensive experience in the development and delivery of social programs, particularly in the area of race relations. Reporting to the General Manager, you will review current Housing Authority operations; make viable recommendations; plan, develop' and direct the implementation of a policy statement, and internal policies and programs designed to pro-. mote a positive race relations climate for MTHA tenants; develop and implement sensitivity training programs to increase staff effectiveness in dealing.with face relations issues; chair the internal race relations subcomrriittee; represent the Authority on external comrhittees. this is a crown employee position. Location: Toronto.
Qualifications: In addition to extensive related experience the position requires:.a sound kriowl-edge of social sciences theories and practices; keen awareness of issues relevant to race relations in a large, multicultural, metropolitan environment; excellent conimunication and interpersonal skills; effective presentation skills; well developed analytical and problem-solving skills; demonstrated ability to devise and recommend innovative policies and program initiatives. Knowledge of OHC and MTHA policies and procedures would be an asset.
Please send application/resume, quoting file MTHA-49/86, by July 14, 1986 to: Metro Toronto Housing Authority, Personnel Section, 1320 Yooge Street, Toronto, Ontario M4T2W3.
Equality of Opportunity for Emplioyment
Metro Toronto Housing Authority
Ontario
City of Toronto
1,
There will be NO collection of garbage on Tuesday, July 1, 1986.
Regular Tuesday (July 1) refuse will be picked up on Wednesday, July 2.
There will be NO collection of newspapers and bulky articles on Wednesday, July 2.
Save your newspapers and bulky articles for collection on Wednesday, July 9.
Reminder: There are 17 Recycling Depots for glass and metal containers in Toronto. During April, 433 tonnes of newspapers, 43 tonnes of glass and 3 tonnes of tin were collected. For further information call 392-7742.
PLEASE DO NOT PLACE BROKEN GLASS OR OTHER SHARP OBJECTS IN PLASTIC GARBAGE BAGS.
. R;M, Bremner. P. Eng.! F.I.C.E. . Commissioner of Public Works.
MARVID@Fresh Chicken Legs
SI .79 lb.
DO eitn tor : de»B( or sliaiii
^ASTRO PRESSED^ COTTAGE CHEESE
$1.99 lb
badi
MARVIDgFresh Chicken Breasts
$1.99 lb."
MARVID^ Whole Chicken ^
A«1.59 81.69
specials offered 'til July 2/86 or while quantities last.
vacaneies
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loin our growing
ADRIENNE ZIECLER SHULMAN PHOTO
•Private accommodation Home cooked meals daily •24 hK superyislon •Nursing Care Provided
ma
Come in and visit us at
3705 Bathurst St.
(just s. of Wilson)
Fern Teplitsky, Administrator
789-7679
Terrace Gardens - Another project managed by Community. Nursing Homes Ltd.