Bring your used tennis balls to participate in the contest!
Bring your used tennis balls in to any participating tennis club, or one of the tournaments sponsored by National Bank between April 16th and November 2nd, 2013. Get your participating code and get a chance to win:

- One day with Aleksandra Wozniak, including a shopping expedition and an exchange on the tennis court,
- Tickets to the final of the 2014 Rogers Cup,
- One of five tennis packages!

To participate using a code, click here!

For a better learning environment in class
By placing used tennis balls on the legs of student’s chairs, we can reduce noise levels in classrooms and create better learning conditions for children. To date, more than 660,000 balls have been collected from all over the provinces of Quebec and Ontario.

Register your school board!
If you’d like to be a part of this program, register your school now. It’s free.

Links:
The On the Ball program website
Aleksandra Wozniak website
Website of the Roger’s Cup, presented by National Bank

A biologist will be the guide for the event to inform volunteers and help them identify and take statistics on the salamanders.

National Bank: committed to environment
“National Bank stands out for the major partnerships it has developed over the years with various organizations and businesses that share its goal of contributing to sustainable development in communities. Our partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada is a clear example of our commitment”, declared Carole Girardin, Regional Vice-President, Eastern Townships/Amiante at National Bank.

$250,000 towards the protection of natural areas
In 2011, National Bank became an important partner of the Nature Conservancy of Canada by agreeing to donate $250,000 towards the protection of natural areas with exceptional ecological importance and by participating in the Conservation Volunteers program.

Registration is mandatory
Space is limited to participants 13 and older. To sign up and find out more about this activity or any other activities in Quebec, go to www.conservationvolunteers.ca. If you have any questions, please write to quebec@conservationvolunteers.ca or call 1-877-876-5444, ext. 296.

Links:

The Nature Conservancy of Canada website
The Green-Mountains Nature Reserve website
Participate in the Conservation Volunteers program

“The Tree of Hope is a campaign that has been endorsed by the National Bank for several years now and we are proud of it”, says Mr. Patrick Lemelin, Vice-President, Personal and Commercial Banking, Atlantic Canada, National Bank and Chairman of the 2013 Tour of Hope Organizing Committee.  “It is important for us to support a sporting and fund-raising event that brings together communities in which the National Bank operates.”

All for the same cause: to end cancer!
“The Tour of Hope is back with the same message of prevention and health, but under new format on a different date, says Mr. Martin Latulippe, spokesperson for the 2013 Tour of Hope.  This year, 4-person teams will cover three stages relay-style (Edmundston – Campbellton, Campbellton – Neguac et Neguac – Moncton), which will make the challenge very accessible.”

Sign up now!
Cyclists of all levels can now join the Team of Hope.  This initiative is much more than a bike ride, it supports the Tree of Hope campaign.  The Tour of Hope is a gesture of solidarity and rallying for a common cause and goal: to end cancer!

To register, contact the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont Hospital Foundation at 506.862.4285 or info@fondationdumont.ca.

Links:

For more details about the 2013 Tour of Hope
Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont Hospital Foundation website
The Tree of Hope Facebook page

For pictures of the event, click here!

To support the health of children and expectant mothers
In fact, this third edition of the event raised $360,000 for a very worthy cause: supporting the health of children and expectant mothers in Quebec.

Approximately 400 people took part in the event, which brought together members of the business, media and sports communities at Place Ville Marie in Montreal.

The business community’s funniest challenge
Alexandre Bilodeau, Canadian Olympic Champion, was the honorary chair of the race, which pitted more than 115 teams of three—two Bixi-bikers and a runner—against each other, to raise money for the future Center of excellence for neonatal intensive care at Sainte-Justine UHC.

Cheered on by their co-workers and members of the public, participants traded in their work shoes for running shoes and went all out in this exciting relay race.

The One for Youth Program
“This year, National Bank launched its One for Youth Program, which focuses on promoting the health and well-being of young people. It was therefore quite natural for us to continue our association with the Urban Duathlon, a friendly race that encourages people to get moving while raising funds for healthcare,” said Lise-Anne Amyot, Vice-President – Brand Image and Data Governance at National Bank.

Links:

The Young Leaders Circle Facebook page (in French only)
For more details about the Urban Duathlon
Sainte-Justine UHC Foundation website
Learn more about Alexandre Bilodeau
For more details about the One for Youth program

]]> http://www.commitment.nationalbank.ca/pillars/our-commitments/health/the-third-sainte-justine-uhc-foundation-urban-duathlon-presented-by-national-bank-raises-a-total-of-360000/feed 0 http://www.commitment.nationalbank.ca/pillars/our-commitments/sports-en/600-tennis-balls-collected http://www.commitment.nationalbank.ca/pillars/our-commitments/sports-en/600-tennis-balls-collected#comments Mon, 27 May 2013 20:15:50 +0000 Editeur http://www.jeunesse.banquenationale.ca/?p=4132 As part of National Bank’s On the Ball tennis ball recovery program, Aleksandra Wozniak, professional tennis player and ambassador for the program, proudly presented 600 used tennis balls to students and teachers at école Saint-Eugène in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

Reducing classroom noise to promote learning
The balls will be reused as chair slippers to reduce noise levels in the classroom and make it easier for children to concentrate.

“National Bank is proud to be able to encourage tennis players to help their communities by giving a second life to their used tennis balls while supporting the education sector and creating a more conducive environment for learning,” stated National Bank’s Guy Duchesne.

More than 660,000 tennis balls collected!
Since 2006, National Bank has been working to improve children’s learning environment by distributing tennis balls to various school boards and schools across Quebec—and since last year, Ontario—for use as chair slippers. More than 660,000 tennis balls have been repurposed in this way, helping to reduce classroom noise across Quebec and Ontario.

Links:
For full details concerning the On the Ball program
Aleksandra Wozniak’s website

This union, which began in 2010, is just one more example of how the Bank plays a part in making our society more inclusive.

Make diversity a priority
“National Bank is pleased to showcase diverse talents and profiles, and this can be seen through our partnership with Aires Libres, our inclusive human resources practices and our engagement in the community. All these complementary activities and aspects bring great wealth to our organization,” said Lise-Anne Amyot, Vice-President – Brand Image and Data Governance at National Bank.

Trous de mémoire at the Aire Banque Nationale
National Bank will once again have a strong presence at this artistic event, which this year runs from May 13 to September 2. The Aire Banque Nationale, which is located at St-Catherine East and Wolfe, features the art installation Trous de mémoire, an original creation designed by the Paprika Studio.

The new events featured this year include an art contest, and the winner’s artwork will be displayed in our Aire in 2014.

A spectacular art at the National Bank branch in Place Dupuis
Lastly, a special mention goes to the brightly-coloured urban makeovers given to locations by Montreal artist Dominique Pétrin. Visitors are invited to discover a part of her spectacular art at the National Bank branch in Place Dupuis, at the corner of St-Catherine East and St-Hubert, as of May 20.

Links:
Learn more about the International Day Against Homophobia
Aires Libres website
Learn more about the Aire Banque Nationale
Dominique Pétrin website

This is an exceptional accomplishment, further to the Bank’s massive investments in its development and enhancing its client service offering.

A key economic and social driver
“National Bank ended its most recent quarter with record-breaking financial performance in addition to having one of the best track records in Canada for loan losses. The latest ranking by Bloomberg Markets confirms that the Bank is well positioned to continue being a key economic and social driver for all its stakeholders,” stated Louis Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer.

The processes behind Bloomberg markets ranking
Bloomberg based its ranking on the following five criteria: (1) Tier 1 capital ratio; (2) non-performing assets to total assets; (3) loan loss reserves to non-performing assets; (4) stability, measured in terms of the ratio of deposits to funding; and (5) efficiency.

National Bank commited to environment
This distinction follows closely on the heels of Bloomberg Markets recognition of National Bank as one of the top 40 greenest banks in the world for a second consecutive year, and was earned as a result of the many partnerships National Bank has forged with organizations and businesses over numerous years to promote initiatives that further sustainable community development.

Numerous accolades already earned
In recent months, the Bank also earned many accolades for the quality of its products and services, human resources management practices and social engagement, including the:

- Best Employers in Quebec (Aon Hewitt);
- Best Employer for New Canadians (Mediacorp Canada);
- Canada’s Best Diversity Employers (Mediacorp Canada);
- Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures^TM (Waterstone Human Capital);
- 50 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt);
- Best Canadian Brands (Interbrand).

Chantal Thériault, from New Brunswick, received the André-Bérard Award, which recognized annually an exceptional volunteer. The prize also includes a donation of $5,000, which Ms. Thériault will be giving to the Fondation Saint-Louis-Maillet, the organization that she has been supporting for 10 years.

Among the finalists, retired employee Claude Allaire received an honourable mention from the jury and a donation of $2,000 for the Carrefour Dignité Saint-Jean, where he has volunteered for 23 years.

Our hearts are with you
“Our current and retired employees play a front-line role in their respective communities across Canada, and 10 years ago, we set up the Our hearts are with you program to recognize their dedication. On behalf of the management of National Bank, I would like to congratulate our 2012-2013 award winners, as well as all the other committed volunteers who put in so many hours for a good cause,” said Louis Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Bank, during the Annual Meeting of Employees.

2012-2013 winners:

André-Bérard Award – $5,000

Chantal Thériault, Branch Manager, Edmundston, New Brunswick
Recognized for her volunteering with various organizations, Ms. Thériault uses her expertise in administration and finance to benefit her community. An active member of the Fondation Saint-Louis-Maillet for 10 years, she was recently named Chair of its board of directors. The goal of the foundation is to contribute to the development of the Edmundston campus of the Université de Moncton by offering scholarships to area students and provide financing for strategic projects supported by the university. 

Honourable mention – $2,000

Claude Allaire, retired employee
Mr. Allaire has volunteered for 23 years with the Carrefour Dignité Saint-Jean, an organization that helps low-income residents in Quebec’s Haut-Richelieu region, and has made the most of his passion and knack for numbers by co-founding an income tax clinic. As his role with the organization is to ensure that the clinic runs smoothly, Mr. Allaire recruits, trains and oversees the volunteers involved in preparing income tax returns.

André-Bérard Award finalists – $1,000

Léo Godin, retiree, has been a volunteer with the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus, New Brunswick for 14 years;

Gérald Melanson, Branch Manager, Shédiac, New Brunswick, has been a volunteer with the Shédiac Rotary Club for 10 years.

What would you do with $25 000?  Here is the challenge that was launched today by National Bank to thousands of non-profit organizations (NPOs) from all over  Canada who want to achieve youth projects.

From May 1^st to June 14^th 2013, NPOs are invited to submit inspiring youth initiatives that gravitate over three pillars of the programme One for Youth, such as health, wellbeing, and education and involvement, in order to receive a financial support of up to $25 000. In 2013, $1 million will be donated to the youth.

Talent, vision and determination

National Bank will focus on 12 One for Youth committees responsible for discovering and supporting the talent, the audacity and the vision and determination from here.

“We are proud to be able to contribute, via targeted initiatives, to the development of the youth, which in return is what shapes the future and gives it colour, every day, by its enthusiasm, audacity and passion. Thanks to the One for Youth committees, National Bank reinforces and strengthens even more its bonds all over the community in order to support young people from birth to University” says Karen Leggett, Executive Vice-President – Marketing at National Bank.

From coast to coast

Made up of local executives from National Bank, key members of the community and one young person under 25, the One for Youth committees will be particularly active over the course of the next few weeks in order to gather inspiring applications.

Committees

• Montérégie
• Montreal
• Outaouais/Abitibi-Témiscamingue
• Laval/Laurentians/Lanaudière
• Saguenay/Lac St-Jean/North Shore
• Eastern Townships/Mauricie/Central Quebec
• Quebec City/ Chaudière-Appalaches
• Lower St. Lawrence/Gaspé/Iles-de-la-Madeleine
• Atlantic Canada
• Ontario
• Calgary
• Vancouver

These committees will have the mandate of choosing local and regional youth initiatives that could benefit from a financial support and this, in virtue of the orientations and selection criteria, and admissibility of the programme One for Youth.

One for Youth committee

“To all the NPOs that work with youth as well as with primary and elementary schools: are you full of ideas and dreams? Do you have a project for young people of your community? A youth initiative that can make a difference for your community? We want to get to know you and give life to your biggest aspirations” said France Croteau, Vice-President – Sales and Service for Québec City and Eastern Quebec and member of One for Youth committee.

“National Bank believes in you. National Bank is behind you. We take great pride in the idea that our financial support can serve as a springboard and allow you to launch your projects on solid grounds” says Diane Déry, Vice-President – Sales and Service, Commercial Banking for Québec City and Eastern Quebec at National Bank and member of One for Youth committee.

Non-profit organizations and primary or high schools must submit their youth initiatives to the One for Youth committees by completing the online form available here at http://www.youth.nationalbank.ca/programs/committees

This three-year partnership is part of National Bank’s desire to encourage business development by guiding businesses through the startup phase. The two organizations will provide entrepreneurs with their combined expert advice to optimize the success of businesses supported by members of Anges Québec.

Quebec companies on the forefront
François Gilbert, CEO of Anges Québec, said: “We’re very pleased that a large economic institution like National Bank is teaming up with our network. This is a vote of confidence in the system that we set up to support Quebec companies, and it’s also recognition of the importance of the work accomplished by our members, who invest time and money in the businesses that they believe in”.

To this end, Jacques Deforges, National Bank’s Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking and International, said: “In 154 years, National Bank has participated in the foundation and growth of thousands of businesses. It’s among the architects of Québec Inc. and remains a partner of choice for businesses of all sizes. In this regard, it’s natural for the Bank to team up with Anges Québec, since their networking model offers significant economic leverage for local businesses.”

Links:
Join Anges Québec on Linkedin (in French only)
Anges Québec website

Source: Anges Québec - François Gilbert, CEO - fgilbert@angesquebec.com