Volunteer Profile: Peter Deines

It may have started out as a work commitment, but for Peter Deines, the connection to Threads of Life quickly transcended work and became “part of the fabric of my life”. Peter has been involved with Threads of Life as a volunteer since 2011, a board member since 2014, and was elected chair of the board this summer.

Being involved with Threads of Life is “an opportunity to contribute to an important organization,” Peter says. “There is always value in contributing to organizations that better society.”

Peter first came to Threads of Life through the Steps for Life walk. The company he worked with was focused on helping employers avoid workplace tragedies, so entering a team in Steps for Life seemed a natural fit. Within a year, he recommended the company adopt Threads of Life as its charity of choice and become a national sponsor for the walk. A few years later, he was invited to join the board of directors. Peter did his due diligence, speaking to other directors and reviewing the financial statements, and it was “kind of a slam dunk”. He has been active on the audit and risk committees and has served as vice-chair for several years.

While Peter is not a family member of Threads of Life, the combination of his work in health and safety, and his empathy make Threads of Life’s mission “very, very compelling” for him. Early in his involvement with Threads of Life, executive director Shirley Hickman came and shared her story at a conference his company hosted. Ever since, it’s been those personal experiences that stay in his heart and motivate him. “It’s the people,” he says. “It’s the people and stories.”

Often, flying home to Edmonton after a board meeting or family forum, he needs time to reflect and process the stories he’s heard, but they always reinforce how important the work of Threads of Life is in the lives of people who’ve experienced tragedy. Peter has introduced his wife, son and daughter to Steps for Life, and for the whole family the walk has become part of a long-standing commitment to volunteerism.

Peter’s intention is to remain as board chair only until there is a family member ready to step into that role – he believes someone with personal experience of tragedy is best placed to lead the board of directors and “safeguard the soul of the organization”. In the meantime, he is happy to invest his energy and skills somewhere he feels he can make a difference.

“I’d like to say thanks to all the people who have built the organization up over the years,” Peter adds. “I hope together we can set the stage for even more to contribute and be involved in the future.”