General

Coordinator of Marketing & Promotion

July 20, 2021 Leave a Comment

Reporting to: Executive Director

Position Summary

SIRCH is a diverse charitable organization in Haliburton County that has spent over 30 years leveling the playing field. Currently the organization is involved in a variety of programs and social enterprises that seek to reduce poverty, increase food security and build resilience.

The goal of this position is to promote our programs and social enterprises. By doing so we will:

Encourage partnerships and other opportunities
Increase shoppers to maximize charitable sales
Increase public awareness and support
Expand our range of services to the community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

General:

Create, implement, update and measure the success of a comprehensive marketing and promotions plan that will enhance SIRCH’s image and position.
Create annual marketing plans for all programs and social enterprises, including any new programs and initiatives.
Develop, implement and monitor systems and procedures necessary to the smooth operation of the marketing/promotions function.

Public Relations & Social Media:

Manage social media profiles and presence, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc
Identify existing and emerging trends in social media and offer appropriate recommendations for how to capitalize on or respond to the trends.
Help design new websites or social media pages, and maintain and update existing ones.

Branding and Consistency

Ensure that the SIRCH brand is accurate, positive, cohesive and consistent, and that it meets the specific needs, literacy levels, and interests of various audiences
Provide effective interaction with outside constituents, consultants, clients, customers and vendors.
Review materials across the organization to ensure proper grammar, accuracy, and meeting of style guidelines; provide training and support to other staff as needed.

Design and Layout

Manage design and layout needs such as advertisements, presentations, logos, websites, reports, billboards, signs, logos, etc., ensuring the final product is branded, clean, professional and artful.
Design materials and images that engage with web audiences to generate buzz, build the Organization’s reputation and generate leads
Design billboards and highway signs, sandwich board signs and other
Ensure content is accurate, and design is eye-catching and compelling

Promotion

Develop and run social promotions and campaigns that create excitement among all target audiences
Create marketing content across all mediums to articulate the benefits of our programs, training and social enterprises, using stories, testimonials and outcome data.
Explore new ways to engage and identify new social networks to grow, engage and retain followers and champions
Help convert followers into donors, volunteers, customers, and/or active fans and promoters of our organization.

Marketing & Sales

Create strategies to sell products online (e.g. training manuals, kits, programs), determining the best audiences and ways to access those audiences.
Identify and test potential markets.
Set targets and determine the best medium for advertising.
Follow up with prospective leads in a timely manner.

Skills/Knowledge:

Degree or diploma in Marketing, Advertising or related field.
Minimum of 2 years marketing experience
Self-starter who can work independently or as part of a team.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
Unparalleled communication, writing, and editing skills.
Experience with content marketing (blogs, asking questions, answering questions, responding to tweets), social media marketing, and keyword strategy.
Knowledge of the principles of composition, and how specific fonts/images can influence a reader; keen eye for graphic design.
Advanced computer skills, including graphic design, layout and image editing software such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.
Understanding of analytics and market testing.
Excellent project and time management skills to balance many projects at once.
Understanding of the not-for-profit sector

This is a permanent, full time salaried position (part time hours may be negotiable). Typically hours are weekdays, however flexibility will be required. A valid driver’s license is required.

Meet the Baker: Judith Bamford

May 17, 2021 Leave a Comment

Judith Bamford is one of our talented bakers who is bringing her skills to the SIRCH Bistro bakery every Saturday. Her specialties include her artisan breads and everything she makes is made with care.

There are few hotels in Ontario and beyond that Judith Bamford hasn’t worked at. With a lifelong career in the hospitality industry that spans across the country and includes working in establishments such as the Four Seasons and Deerhurst Resort, Judith is no stranger to hard work and making people feel at home. She has spent decades working in various management, sales and marketing positions. She’s even been an executive housekeeper. “Boy can I make a bed,” she said.

She first became involved with SIRCH when she decided retirement wasn’t for her and she joined the organization as the Ready for Retail coordinator. She has held many positions with SIRCH and is currently the Kitchen Coordinator for the Bistro.

You can often find her planning menus, doing inventory and most importantly, baking delicious goods. She learned to bake from her mom, who taught her as a young girl. “We would get off the school bus to be welcomed by the wonderful aroma of home baked breads, pies, cookies and Chelsea buns. I can smell it now. As the oldest of 8, I was Mom’s right hand and from ever since I can remember I loved to bake. The feeling of the dough when kneading, the aroma of the bread baking, nothing beats this,” she said. Some of her specialties include rustic artisan loaves, which she loves to add flavour to with herbs, cheeses and infused oils.

Born and raised in the Harcourt area, Judith’s family roots in the Highlands go as far back as the 1800s. Her grandfather was even the postmaster in Highland Grove. She continues to be involved in the community, serving as the chair of the Harcourt Community Centre and active with the Harcourt Community Chapel.

When she’s not working or volunteering you can most likely find her spending time with her four dogs, Gertie Lou, Coco Grace, Bootsy Boy and Matilda Joy.

Online School’s Cool Application

March 25, 2021 Leave a Comment

Do you have a child starting Kindergarten this fall? SIRCH Community Services’ School’s Cool program may be just what your child needs to get ready for their new classroom learning adventures!

School’s Cool has been delivered in person at local schools with amazing results — children increase math, language, self help, social and psychological skills by a year of development in just 6 weeks. Now, due to the pandemic, we have developed an online program — and this is the pilot! This program will be done from your home, with the child and caregiver involved. There are only 12 spaces. The pilot runs April 12 – May 21 every weekday from 9:30 -11:00 a.m.

School’s Cool will be open to children in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton Country. To adhere to COVID protocol this program will held via Zoom, which means students will require a computer or tablet to participate. The $240 program fee will be waved for our online pilot and activity kits will be provided for a minimal cost.

Apply Now

Program Details:

April 12, 2021 – May 21, 2021

Monday to Friday: 9:30 am – 11:00 am

Phone: 705-457-1742

Email: info@sirch.on.ca

www.sirch.on.ca/programs/schools-cool

Your one stop shop for Christmas is the SIRCH Bistro & Marketplace

December 15, 2020 Leave a Comment

The SIRCH Bistro & Marketplace showcases handcrafted items made by local artisans.

The holidays are approaching faster than ever and the days to get your shopping done are dwindling! While online shopping is one option, there are plenty of opportunities to shop locally this year and surprise your loved ones with beautifully handcrafted, one of-a-kind items. And the best part is you don’t have to hope it arrives on time!

The SIRCH Bistro & Marketplace is a new initiative that serves a variety of purposes, including supporting local entrepreneurs who are trying to build their business. Take a visit to the Marketplace and you will be amazed by the creativity and affordability of home décor items, artwork, jewelry, Christmas decorations and so much more.

Or perhaps you’re looking for that perfect stocking stuffer for that hard to shop for person on your list. The Bistro & Marketplace also serves delicious, home cooked meals Monday to Fridays. The Bistro’s daily features include healthy breakfast sandwiches, fresh made muffins, hearty soups, pizza, hot lunch entrees and our popular Korean meals. For the holidays we are offering lunch tickets at a cost of $10 (with a $14 value) that include a yummy hot lunch, coffee or tea, and a freshly baked treat. Now that’s value!

Funds from the sale of the items in the Bistro & Marketplace support initiatives of SIRCH like Lunch is On Us and the Community Kitchen frozen prepared meal program. The Marketplace also supports local creators and entrepreneurs. As the old adage goes, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

The Bistro & Marketplace is located at 49 Maple Ave., Haliburton. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30-3. We hope to see you there.

Happy Holidays!

Recycled shopping the latest trend in fashion

December 11, 2020 1 Comment

Vintage is the new fashion forward trend and Thrift Warehouse is your new destination for unique and affordable clothing finds!

Thrift Warehouse in Haliburton has been pleased to receive wonderful clothing donations from the community since November.

A social enterprise of SIRCH Community Services, Thrift Warehouse has been offering a variety of items to the community for more than a decade and as of this fall is now offering clothing. This is not only a bonus to our shoppers and our community, but helps keep bags and bags of waste out of our landfills every year.

Thrift Warehouse co-lead Heather Wood says that since introducing clothing at the store this past November, shoppers have been flocking to the racks and are impressed with the selection.

“We’ve been getting so many donations,” said Wood. “I am so impressed with the quality of clothing donated.”

Wood says it has been primarily men who have been buying the clothing thus far.

The addition of clothing to the warehouse has brought in many male shoppers, such as Derwin Barry, who has been impressed with the selection of items and organization of the store.

Derwin Barry is a big fan of the Thrift Warehouse and has bought many items at the store, from couches to rugs, clothing, towels and more.

“It’s very organized,” he says about the layout of the store. “I like the addition of clothes. I have bought clothing here, found some great winter gear, socks, even utensils for my kitchen.” The frequent shopper likes that the profits go back into the community to help fund SIRCH programs and initiatives.

“I’m happy to support Thrift Warehouse,” he says.

One shopper came into the store and purchased two faux fur coats, which she said she plans to use to make blankets and pillows, said Wood. What a great example of upcycling! Sometimes is just takes a fresh pair of eyes and some new ideas to bring life back into something. It’s like the saying goes: One mans trash is another mans treasure!

It is estimated that one bag of clothing equates to 25 pounds. Thrift has already received hundreds of bags of donated clothing. Imagine all of the space that would take up at our local landfills alone! According to the Dysart et al Waste Management department, household waste can increase more than 25 per cent during the holiday season.

It’s great to see local shopping at a time when a lot of our local dollars leave the community and profit offshore companies. The prices of items at Thrift Warehouse. are kept very reasonable to offer the community an affordable place to find necessities. “The last thing I want is for someone to come in and not be able to afford stuff,” says Wood.

Keeping prices affordable is a top priority at the Thrift Warehouse.

As well other organizations can request free items for clients who are in need. Recently SIRCH helped a family who had been homeless for several months and finally found a place but had literally nothing to put in it. SIRCH was able to help with furniture, clothing, towels, household items and a $50 gift card.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Thrift Warehouse has seen an increase in donations, which has helped many members of the community, said store co-lead Kerri Marks. “We are seeing people struggling,” she said.

The partnership between TPS Haliburton Holdings and SIRCH (where SIRCH manages the Thrift Warehouse) SIRCH to fund some of its programs that have no base funding. In particular, the free food programs, School’s Cool, Lunch is On Us, the Repair Café, the Applesauce Project and more have benefited from Thrift Warehouse.

And in addition to getting great deals, shoppers at Thrift Warehouse can also go home with a smile knowing they it’s a win-win for them and for our community.

SIRCH helps community stay warm this winter

December 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

Share The Warmth coordinator Becca Anderson delivers a bag of donated winter gear to SIRCH Bistro & Marketplace on Nov. 13. The annual giveaway saw approximately $11,340 worth of winter gear distributed for free in Haliburton, Minden and Bancroft.

There were lineups, smiles and even happy dances when SIRCH Community Services hosted its annual Share The Warmth giveaway in Haliburton, Minden and Bancroft last month.

The winter coat drive gives away warm winter gear for free to anyone in the community. This year hundreds of coats, snow pants, mitts, hats, gloves, scarves and much more were donated to the initiative and organized by a group of dedicated volunteers and STW coordinator Becca Anderson.

“One lady made a point of coming to me the Tuesday following the event, just to thank us for keeping her warm this winter,” said Mary Ellen Coughlan, who helped organize the Bancroft giveaway. She added a young boy did a happy dance when they found him a coat, ski pants, mitts, hat and scarf for the winter. “His father’s work has been shut down since the beginning of Covid,” said Mary Ellen.

The Bancroft giveaway saw more than 80 people come out and pick up items. More than 140 coats were distributed, nearly 100 hats, almost 80 pairs of mitts and much more!

The Bancroft giveaway saw more than 140 coats distributed for free, along with hats, mitts, snow pants and more.

In Haliburton and Minden it was a similar story with Becca reporting more than 110 coats were distributed between the two locations. Other items that were given out included 56 hats, 83 pairs of mitts, 24 pairs of boots, and 21 sweaters. Many of the items distributed were for children.

Becca said those that picked up items were filled with gratitude and shared those feelings.

“I remember one mother of four saying thank you for your help,” said Becca. “[She said] I was hoping this program would happen again this year. I rely on it every year to keep my children warm.”

Another person remarked that the event saved their family hundreds of dollars that they didn’t have.

SIRCH estimates that the giveaway equates to approximately $11,340 worth of winter wear that was distributed for free to the community. This was done through the kindness of everyone who donated, a team of hardworking volunteers and a community that cares.

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