Hey everyone, Rouge is back and tickets are now on sale to this fun and popular
après-work event being held at The Fifth Social Club. Taking place on Thursday,
November 10, 2011, starting at 8 p.m., Rouge is an evening of food, drink and music
with United Way GenNext.

Timeraiser will be at the event, so be sure to bid your time and volunteer at one
of United Way’s member agencies. Or try your luck in the silent auction to win
exclusive items and experiences. Proceeds go to United Way Toronto and their work
to help create opportunities for a better life for everyone in our city.

Plus, you can follow @UWTGenNext on Twitter (look for and use the hash tag #Rouge11) 
or like GenNext’s Facebook page and post your answer to the
question ‘Why do you want to attend Rouge?’ for a chance to win two free tickets to
the event. Visit the Rouge site for all the details.

Also, in partnership with Timeraiser and West Jet, the night of Rouge we’re also
doing a social media giveaway. You could win two tickets to fly anywhere West Jet
flies—follow us on Twitter and look for the hash tag #TRWJ to learn more!

You can buy tickets to Rouge now!

By Katherine Russel,
My "Lampposts" have been selected for this year's Timeraiser in Ottawa.  Timeraiser is one of my favourite exhibition opportunities: it is put on by the Framework, and they buy work from artists, and then auction it [for volunteer time].  The bidders then bid volunteer hours (for charities and environmental groups) rather than money to 'purchase' the artwork.  

Last time my work was 'bought' for 125 volunteer hours! Check out the Ottawa Timeraiser page if you are interested in attending one of their events.

To visit Katherine's blog, visit http://katherinerussellglass.blogspot.com/

By Vanessa Choot
On Thursday September 22nd, the Vancouver Timeraiser had 275+ attendees at its 4th annual event.  This year's event was in a much more intimate location at the Waldorf Hotel.  Two main rooms showcased local artists' work, among booths of non-profit organizations seeking skilled volunteers to support their cause.  As I had already won artwork the previous year, I wasn't able to bid again this year.  That being said, I spent most of my time chatting to other attendees and I was most interested to find out why they were at Timeraiser.  For some, their reason was because of a love of art combined with a sense of community. Others, they were directly involved with the organization (an artist, a non-profit worker, a volunteer), or a +1 of a previous Timeraiser winner.

There was no doubt, however, that the resounding theme for why guests attended this year's Timeraiser, was for Timeraiser's innovative "win-win-win" scenario.  A win for the emerging artists who are paid fair market value for their artwork, a win for the non-profit agencies who can connect with enthusiastic volunteers, as well a win for the attendees, who have a chance to get a piece of artwork while volunteering for a cause they are passionate about.

The results are in! Here are some key highlights from the event:

• Over 275 people attended and 150 people made a pledge to get involved in the community
• 18 of the 19 pieces of artwork went for the maximum bid of 100 hours
• 4,340 volunteer hours were pledged, 24% of which were pledged by artwork winners
• 75+ community and corporate leaders were in attendance
• 27 non-profit agencies seeking skilled volunteers were in attendance
• $13,000 was invested in the careers of emerging and mid-career Vancouver-based artists

Timeraiser would like to give a special thanks to their coporate and community partners: WestJet, CIBC, PwC, Miss604, TD Bank, UBC, Vantage Point, and The Waldorf Hotel.  See you next year at the 5th Annual Vancouver Timeraiser!