Douglas MacAdams a Community Builder..

MacAdams a bridge builder
By KEN HERAR
Jun 06 2006
He stands above the crowd in the community, and you might recognize him by his mannerisms or by his Scottish kilt from time to time.
He served as moderator for all three Abbotsford political all-candidates meetings last year and he describes himself as a “bridge builder between groups in the courtroom or in the community.
In 1998 he oversaw the election process for internal Abbotsford Sikh Temple dispute.
Lawyer Douglas MacAdams moved to Abbotsford with his wife and family in 1989 from Greater Vancouver. He has had a huge impact in the community in a short time.
He is a cultured person who has always made an effort to reach out to the different members of our community.
Once you get to know him, you'll discover he is passionate about local issues and wants to move Abbotsford up to the next level.
He brings plenty of experience from various parts of the country. He worked as an political assistant in the offices of Opposition leader Robert Stanfield in 1968/69.
He ran former Prime Minister Joe Clark’s campaign in British Columbia in 1980. His political background taught him at a early age how important it is to be involved in the community discussing issues.
MacAdams, who served as president of the Chamber of Commerce in 2000, is secretary of the University College of the Fraser Valley Foundation.
The most important immediate issue for Abbotsford is to persuade the provincial government to give full university status to UCFV, said MacAdams.
“In my view this is as important as was the SE2 issue. I think getting university status should have community support similar to community support around the SE2 issue.
“This immediate issue ties in with a longer term issue for Abbotsford which is to ensure not only that all groups in the community have an opportunity to contribute fully and but to ensure that they do in fact contribute fully.
MacAdams, who recently moderated the Second World Religions Conference in Abbotsford, recognizes diversity in our community is one of its strengths.
“In Abbotsford the largest and most significant minority group is the Indo-Canadian community. Having this community contribute fully locally fits in with getting university status, he said.
A competitive advantage UCFV has is in the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies. This centre sets UCFV apart and gives Abbotsford a competitive advantage in trade with India, which as we all know is emerging as an economic giant in the world. But we can only take advantage of this fully if UCFV gets full university status. For example: with full university status we can have fuller and more productive partnerships with Indian universities.
MacAdams who would like to see this same enthusiasm displayed by the different ethnic community groups.
There are hundreds if not thousands of volunteer community groups in Abbotsford and in the Fraser Valley generally. In my view the place of the Indo Canadian community in those volunteer groups doesn't reflect the size and the capacity of the Indo-Canadian community. I am looking forward to participation at that community level to parallel the contribution in provincial and federal political life from the Indo-Canadian community.
MacAdams is open about his faith has been a life-long member of the Anglican Church of Canada. He was recently appointed chancellor of the Anglican Provincial Synod of British Columbia and the Yukon.
Religious beliefs are far more important than is generally understood and recognized in the media and in public discussion. An increased recognition of the importance of religious beliefs would improve our shared community life. And improved understanding of religions will also give us an advantage internationally in a world where religious factors are becoming more important all around the world, he said.
We need more people like MacAdams involved in community. And yes, one person can make a difference.
KenHerar@yahoo.ca
© Copyright 2006 Abbotsford News