Tides is currently seeking a full-time Administrative Assistant to work with and provide administrative assistance to the client services team and be the initial point of contact for office administration and reception. The ideal candidate will be flexible, have the ability to multi-task with minimal supervision and work well in a team environment. This position requires a person with a positive attitude, sound judgement and great sense of humour, with a commitment to professionalism and excellence.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing administrative support to the client services team, including data entry and receipt generation;
• Assisting and responding to clients as required;
• Managing the reception area by answering calls, greeting visitors and responding to general enquiries in a friendly and professional manner;
• Having primary responsibility for the aesthetics and efficient operation of the office and kitchen, including maintenance of equipment and ordering of supplies and recycling program;
• Coordinating boardroom bookings;
• Administering subscriptions and memberships;
• Coordinating incoming/outgoing mail and courier services;
• Administering petty cash;
• Assists with special projects and events as requested;
• Assists with organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, and
• Other related duties as required.

Job Requirements

• Minimum of one year experience in an administrative support and reception capacity;
• Exceptional client services and interpersonal skills;
• Passion for excellence and attention to detail;
• Strong computer skills with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, familiarity with CRM programs (Navision) an asset;
• Strong oral and written communications skills, demonstrating accuracy and professionalism
• Strong organizational skills, ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and independently
• Demonstrated flexibility, initiative and the ability to maintain confidentiality
• Fluency in French considered an asset

Salary Range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Apply To: Please e-mail Resume and Cover Letter with salary expectations to Maria Malmgren at resumes@tidescanada.org. Only those applicants invited for an interview will be contacted.

For more information about our company, visit www.tidescanada.org. Thank you for your interest!

For Immediate Release

September 10, 2008, Toronto - Today, citizens across the country as well as some of the country’s largest and most influential organizations including Canada’s Association for the 45Plus (CARP), Canadian Jewish Congress, the Steelworkers Union of Canada and the Canadian Federation of Students, among others, are uniting as part of a new citizens movement calling for stronger action on climate change. The official launch today of PowerUP Canada comes one day after many of the country’s most influential leaders, including former prime ministers, released recommendations for new stronger climate laws and policies in Canada.

“Canadians are concerned and trying to do their part but we have some of the weakest laws in the industrialized world and that’s why global warming pollution in Canada is projected to keep growing,” said Tzeporah Berman, Executive Director of PowerUP Canada. "We’re going to make sure Canadians have a place to voice their concerns and get the information they need to clarify the difference between real climate leadership and spin.”

PowerUP Canada will provide Canadians with a positive new vision for Canada, provide non-partisan information about global warming and a common campaign to amplify citizens’ voices, clarify federal parties’ and candidates’ climate positions, host public events and build an online networking community.

"PowerUP Canada is a cause that resonates with all generations in Canada and CARP is proud to support it. We will be reaching out to our members and encouraging them to engage in this important initiative,” said Ross Mayot, Vice President of Community Development at CARP. CARP is presenting a new vision of aging for Canada and has 350,000 members throughout the country.

“Global warming is one of the most serious problems that our society needs to take action on. Canadians are taking personal responsibility for making changes in their own lives to turn the tide, but that will be meaningless unless our governments take decisive action to enact stronger laws to fight climate change,” said Kashmir Dhaliwal President, Khalsa Diwan Society, North America’s largest Sikh association.

"We are committed to being part of this bold plan to take action to develop and use climate-safe technologies to reduce harmful emissions. Steelworkers know that investing in clean energy will provide the kind of permanent jobs that Canada needs right now," said Ken Neuman National Director for United Steelworkers Canada.

“As someone who still had lingering doubts about the climate change only five years ago, I am now a firm believer that we are facing a critical moment that the time for saving the planet is now. Individual effort is important, and Canadians are indeed doing their part, but it is not sufficient without strong government actions and laws,” said Dr. Joseph Wong, Founding National President, Chinese Canadian National Council

PowerUP Canada also released a new national poll today that clearly shows the majority of Canadians believe stronger laws will improve our economy.

“The findings show climate change is a central issue for Canadians. Most people are convinced that making progress in this area will strengthen the economy for the long term, a lot fewer see it as an effort that will cause huge economic trauma,” said Bruce Anderson, CEO of Harris Decima. “High energy prices have combined with several other key influences to make people feel that moving from a carbon heavy economy is prudent, and not doing so carries economic risk.”

“Well designed environmental measures will not undermine Canada’s competitiveness. Our industry has reduced greenhouse gases by 44 percent without waiting for government regulation. But this is not enough. Governments need to create a business climate that will accelerate the integration of Canada’s economic and environmental agendas,” said Avrim Lazar, President and CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada.

Dr. Mark Jaccard, one of Canada’s leading climate policy experts, recently added his voice to the PowerUP chorus: “We didn’t get lead out of gasoline by having people boycott driving, and we can’t get cars and power plants off carbon emissions that way either. Problems like climate change have to be solved by government action and so far no federal government has lived up to the trust of Canadians.”

"Canadians are trying to do their part against global warming,” said actor and author Ann-Marie MacDonald, “but this isn’t a problem individuals can solve. I am supporting PowerUp because it’s good to change our lightbulbs but it’s much more important to change the laws.”

A high profile green carpet event tonight at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto marks the official launch of PowerUP Canada. Prominent supporters of PowerUP Canada include Canadian Olympian, Adam Kreek - Gold Medalist at the Beijing Olympics, Canadian actors Rachel McAdams, Kiefer Sutherland, Neve Campbell, Charles Martin Smith, Prof. Thomas Homer-Dixon, Clayton Ruby, Michael Ondaatje, Margaret Atwood, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Designer Evan Biddell, Moses Znaimer and many more.

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For more information see www.powerupcanada.ca or please contact:
Tzeporah Berman, Executive Director of PowerUP Canada (604) 313-4713
Tim Gray, Steering Committee PowerUP, (416) 986-2408
Press inquiries related to the Green Carpet Gala contact Dawna Shulman (818) 632-3296
Video and still photos available

"This is a very hard decision, as I have the founder’s love for the organization," said Draimin. "But the time is right, since I have achieved the goals I set when I first took on start-up nearly a decade ago."

Broadbent praised Draimin for his leadership and years of service to the organizations. "Tim was ahead of the curve in his recognition of the ways to advance traditional charitable giving in order to enhance long term impact. He has a great ability to locate and engage donors who want to create positive change, and to build dynamic networks," said Broadbent.

"One of Tim’s parting contributions was to put a solid succession plan in place," Broadbent added. "In 2007, Tim and the board identified Ross McMillan as the person who could take Tides to the next level. Tim has decided it is time to complete the transition to Ross’ leadership. Tim is one of a kind, and we are very pleased that he will stay involved with the organizations in an emeritus role as Tides’ first Senior Fellow," said Broadbent.

The transition, effective July 1, 2008, will shepherd Tides into its second decade of active support for innovative social justice and environmental philanthropy in Canada.

McMillan will continue his work with Tides to identify new opportunities to bring philanthropy, civil society, business and government together in pursuit of positive social change. "Under Ross’ leadership, Tides will expand its reach in a number of priority areas, including climate change, urban issues, conservation, support for indigenous peoples, and innovation in the philanthropic and social sectors," Broadbent said.

Tides Canada Foundation is a national public foundation that provides strategic counsel and customized services to donors and to social and environmental charities and projects. Founded in Vancouver in 2000, Tides now has growing offices in Vancouver and Toronto. Tides and Sage Centre are known for philanthropic innovation, pioneering new ways to support strategic giving and providing infrastructure for emerging charitable projects.

Click here to read Tides Canada Milestones

Social Justice Fund
Tides’ Social Justice Fund brings donors together to support organizations that are addressing Canada’s deeply-rooted social justice issues. Working with Canadian Women’s Foundation, the fund supported innovative violence prevention programs in British Columbia. The fund also supported valuable research on affordable housing and homelessness issues, as well as capacity and movement building for the social justice sector.

Collaborative Giving
As well, Tides promoted donor giving circles partnering with London’s The Funding Initiative (TFN) in its first affiliate in North America, TFN-Toronto, and experimenting with Canada’s first “social investors’ circle.” Social Investors Forum, implemented with the United Way of Greater Toronto, exposed 100 charitable investors to 10 enterprising non-profits. Tides currently supports 55 collective giving funds, including Social Venture Partners – Toronto.

Sage Centre
Today, Sage Centre provides governance and shared administrative services for dozens of Canadian charitable initiatives. This spring, Tides partnered with the Centre for Social Innovation to host Canada’s first educational conference focused on how non-profits can share services and spaces for social change.

200 Charitable Giving Funds
Tides now hosts nearly 200 Charitable Giving funds. Since start-up, Tides has stewarded over $100 million of charitable resources. In 2005, Tides was recognized by Bruce Mau’s MASSIVE CHANGE as one of 9 leading Canadian innovators for its work in helping individuals activate wealth for social change.