ChristianWeek

CALGARY, AB—A passion for the poor has earned John Rook a new appointment heading a national council that examines issues of poverty. Rook, CEO of The Salvation Army Community Services Calgary, accepted leadership of the National Council of Welfare on June 6.

"[Rook] is a leader and a valued member of our community," says Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. "He will be a considerable asset to the National Council of Welfare."

The Council has examined issues of poverty since the 1960s. At present, it is finishing a report on aboriginal poverty and planning work on a national anti-poverty strategy.

Rook says he was "very surprised" at his appointment, even though he was approached in the spring and went through interviews with members of the Prime Minister's Office, Privy Council and Solberg.

"I have a passion for poverty and I'm delighted to serve the country in this way and to be an advocate and a voice to government," says Rook. "It's really quite an honour."

Rook, who will continue to work with The Salvation Army in Calgary, says he wants to become more familiar with the post before taking a strong hand.

"The first thing that I'd like to do is get my feet wet and take a look at what that national anti-poverty strategy might look like. The direction for it is, in a sense, set by the minister, so [my role is] to provide briefs" on what those dealing with poverty hands-on have to say.

"It's critical for faith-based organizations to partner with government," says Rook, adding that public funds have been a "major source" for his work in Calgary. There, he says, he never hears "Oh, we can't fund you because you're Christian."

Instead, the response is "'Oh, we know who you are; you're rock-solid. We want you on our team,'" says Rook. "I don't think that's right across the country, but that's certainly a factor here in Alberta. So I certainly think there's an opportunity to make some noise [nationally]."

Rook's peers are pleased with his appointment.

"He's the whole package," says Wayne Stewart, CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation. "He's brilliant. He's one of the most creative executive directors I know. He manages a very complex organization with grace and aplomb and very effectively."

"Last winter we had a crisis out here with not enough shelter space, with people still coming to the city and no place to live. John opened up additional beds in one of his facilities and...they managed to accommodate 50 or 60 people in the worst part of the winter."

Stewart knows Rook well through shared fundraising efforts and through mentoring Rook in a new program to coach the directors of charities. Stewart and Rook have also worked together on the Calgary Action Committee to end homelessness in Calgary within 10 years.

"When he sees a need he does what he has to to fill that need," says Stewart. "He walks his talk."

Rook replaces outgoing council head John Murphy and the acting interim chair Greg deGroot-Maggetti. Seven vacancies remain on the 16-member board for positions in Newfoundland-Labrador, the Prairie provinces and the North.