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July 9, 2004
Hillel gets high praise
Vancouver is the first accredited chapter in Canada.
KYLE BERGER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
The Vancouver Hillel Foundation has finally received the credit
for which executive director Eyal Lichtmann and the organization
have worked so hard. On June 7, the board of directors of Hillel:
The Foundation from Jewish Campus Life in Washington, D.C., granted
the Vancouver chapter accreditation, which recognizes their adherence
to international performance standards.
"By achieving accreditation, Vancouver Hillel has reached a
state of excellence in our programming and services to students,
and the level of our operating systems and administrative support,"
Lichtmann said. "It also means that we have organized a well-defined
operating lay leadership board for oversight and review of the organization."
Active at more than 500 universities and colleges around the world,
there are currently only 65 Hillel chapters accredited in North
America. More significantly, the Vancouver chapter has the distinction
of being the first Canadian Hillel to be offered accreditation.
The accreditation process, which was introduced 10 years ago, involved
three years of intense scrutiny over all aspects of the organization.
Representatives from the international office visited Vancouver
to review how the chapter was operating. This was followed by a
list of changes that needed to be made in order to satisfy the requirements
for accreditation.
"[Over] the past two years, Vancouver Hillel implemented an
enormous array of fundamental changes to our programming, operations
and systems to meet accreditation standards," Lichtmann said.
"The changes reflect our desire to properly implement procedures
and operations that allow us to responsibly report back to the community
and our donors. It is imperative that Vancouver Hillel, like any
nonprofit organization, be totally transparent."
While accreditation isn't directly linked to any specific financial
gains, Lichtmann explained that it certainly helps when the chapter
comes calling for grants or special assistance.
"I don't believe that only accredited Hillels receive funding
from Hillel International, but I do believe accredited Hillels receive
preferable consideration, since it is an indication that [we] will
most likely use the money wisely and be able to record and report
on the utilization of any grants received," he said.
Lichtmann added that, aside from the recognition accreditation brings,
the changes made to reach that goal will also go a long way.
"We can say with distinction that we are a well-run organization
and you can trust us to meet our commitments and your expectations
as a community supporter," he said. "It also tells the
university that we are a credible player on campus."
Barbara Bank, chair of the national committee for Jewish Campus
Life (NJCL) at UIA-Federations Canada, said that Vancouver Hillel
is a role model for other Canadian chapters.
"I can state with confidence that Vancouver is a true leader
in Canadian Jewish campus services system in terms of programming,
governance, fund-raising, external relations, professionalism, student
leadership and other areas as well," she said. "We at
NJCL are proud of our partnership with [Vancouver Hillel] and I
look forward to enriching and enhancing this relationship over the
next year."
In British Columbia, Hillel provides educational, social, cultural
and religious support for large numbers of the community's youth
ages 18-30 at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University,
Langara College and other regional institutions of higher learning.
Hillel has been active at UBC since 1947 and at SFU since the school's
inception in the 1960s. Vancouver Hillel estimates that there are
approximately 4,000 Jewish 18-to-30-year-olds in the Lower Mainland
who come under its auspices (approximately 16 per cent of the Jewish
community of Greater Vancouver).
For more information, visit www.hillel.org
or call the Vancouver chapter at 604-224-4748.
Kyle Berger is a freelance journalist and graphic designer
living in Richmond.
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