I Remember When

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Picture of Merv Leach
Merv Leach
Lt-Colonel Merv retired in 2001 from his last appointment as Secretary for Personnel. He has always had a passion for music and is currently serving as Bandmaster at The Salvation Army in Cambridge. In his spare time he enjoys reading true crime books.

I’m in my 80th year and am a retired Salvation Army officer/pastor. My wife and I served for 31 years in corps/churches, divisional and territorial appointments, and loved every minute of it.

In moments of idleness, and there are many these days, I’ve been thinking of all the changes I have seen and experienced in society and in The Salvation Army.

I remember sharing my life with my mother alone while dad was overseas with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. He didn’t fly a plane. He flew a ‘Boosey and Hawkes’ as a member of the Central band.

IR-TVI remember our first TV when we placed coloured plastic over the screen to enjoy coloured TV.

I remember my first car, a 1936 Ford that my aunt gave me, which had sat on blocks in a garage for some years. When I went to a service station, I filled it with oil and had the gas checked.

I remember a part time job I had while in high school cleaning manure off the front of the wagons for the Canada Bread Company.

I remember... cleaning manure off the front of the wagons for the Canada Bread Company. Share on X

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I remember my first job in a Province of Ontario savings office earning $23 a week. I remember giving up a Saturday to paint the lunchroom in the basement, only to have it and the rest of the bank destroyed by fire a day later. The paint fumes obviously aided and abetted faulty wiring in the ceiling.

The paint fumes obviously aided and abetted faulty wiring in the ceiling. Share on X

I remember spotting a cute dark haired young lady in the church congregation one Sunday and going home to tell my mother I saw the girl I was going to marry one day. I did! We got married on a shoe string budget and she paid the $2 for the license.

We got married on a shoe string budget and she paid the $2 for the license. Share on X

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I remember when gasoline was 11 cents a gallon and stopping to buy some with only 50 cents in my pocket.

I remember when gasoline was 11 cents a gallon Share on X

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I remember that a loaf of bread cost 8 cents and bacon went for 40 cents a pound.

I remember our first born of three children being a girl and naming her Linda Lee who went on to be a trombone player.

The most significant memories I have are of asking Jesus into my heart at age seven after my mother sang to me ”Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.” Then as a teenager I made a full commitment of my life making the pledge “All there is of me Lord”.

The most significant memories I have are of asking Jesus into my heart Share on X

Those commitments have been strengthened and solidified over the years to the place where, At nearly 80 years of age, I can still sing with gusto, “Christ is all, yes all in all.” Share on X

What do you remember?

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Code of Conduct for all Mission Partners of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda

1. Purpose
To provide mission partners with guidelines regarding their expected behaviour while undertaking work on behalf of TSA. The code of conduct states TSA’s commitment to operating in an ethical and legal manner that aligns with TSA’s mission, vision, values and Orders and Regulations. The code of conduct serves as a foundational standard for other conduct-related operating policies.

2. Basic Principles
All mission partners are expected to behave in ways that are aligned with TSA’s mission and values.

2.1. Mission Statement:
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

2.2. Vision Statement
We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

2.3. Core Values:
Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

3. Conduct Expectations
The code of conduct provides guidelines for mission partner conduct. The code of conduct cannot cover every possible situation; mission partners are responsible for considering each issue in the context of TSA’s mission and values, recognizing that individual conduct may be understood as a reflection of TSA’s values, image, integrity and public trust. If a mission partner is unsure of a situation and needs guidance about their conduct or has concerns about the conduct of another person, they should speak with their supervisor or HR/officer personnel representative.

Mission partners will:
3.1. Comply with TSA policies and procedures.
3.2. Follow all applicable laws and at no time participate in, or assist others to participate in, any illegal, criminal or unethical activities.
3.3. Conduct themselves at all times with honesty, integrity and transparency.
3.4. Perform their defined duties to the best of their ability.
3.5. Treat others, including other mission partners, funders, clients and the public, with respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy.
3.6. Promote and support a work environment that is inclusive of all people and respects their unique abilities, strengths and differences.
3.7. Identify actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and disclose them to their supervisor to help minimize or eliminate the impact of such conflicts, which could influence or appear to influence their judgment and actions. Refer to GV 01.003 Conflict of Interest policy for additional direction and requirements.
3.8. Collect, use and disclose confidential information only in accordance with TSA policy and applicable privacy laws. Ensure all records, documents and communications are accurate and that privacy is maintained as required by GV
01.009 Privacy.
3.9. Conduct all business, service and ministry activities in a responsible manner, consistent with TSA’s values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship.
3.10. Always strive to create and maintain the highest health, safety, wellness and environmental standards in all facilities and work areas.
3.11. Take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of oneself and others and report accidents (however minor) and near-misses (accidents that almost happened), risky behaviours, and instances where equipment and/or building
deficiencies could compromise the safety of a workplace.
3.12. Use information technology, including internet and email, in a professional and appropriate manner, in accordance with TSA policy (IT 02.001 Computers and Information Technology Acceptable Use).
3.13. Ensure they are fit to work and able to perform assigned duties as required by their job description safely, satisfactorily and in compliance with HR 10.002 Substance Impairment in the Workplace.

TSA expects mission partners will not:
3.14. Act in a discriminatory, harassing or violent way toward others.
3.15. Use their position in order to gain an advantage over or exploit the vulnerability of others.
3.16. Destroy or take for personal use any items belonging to or safeguarded by TSA without prior written approval.
3.17. Solicit (money or goods) from clients, donors, vendors, contractors or any person in a position to benefit from their association with TSA. Mission partners will adhere to the requirements of HR 04.002 Gifts, Speaking Fees, and Testimonials policy.
3.18. Give the appearance that they are speaking on behalf of TSA when not authorized to do so or engage in any activity that would negatively impact TSA’s reputation, brand or public image, including the use of personal social media
accounts.
3.19. Initiate contact with the media or respond to their inquiries, and instead will refer all media inquiries to their supervisor, their public relations representative or TSA’s communications department.
3.20. Use, abuse or misuse paid time, TSA resources or the equipment assigned to them.
3.21. Misuse their authority, abuse power, act irresponsibly, retaliate against someone who reports misconduct or exclude others from workplace events.

4. Officers: Orders and Regulations
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the code of conduct and Orders and Regulations, the latter shall take precedence.

5. Violation of the Code
If a mission partner believes the law, the code of conduct or TSA’s policies may have been violated or are about to be violated, they should inform their supervisor or report their concern through the Whistleblower hotline (see GV 01.008 Whistleblower policy).

Violation of the code of conduct is a serious matter and could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.