Passion Isn’t a Budget Line: Calgary’s History of Volunteerism with Josh Traptow

Debunk myths. Debate opinions. Eat hot dogs. What actually built Calgary? Was it oil and gas, or the city’s commitment to volunteering? This June, director of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation Josh Traptow takes a look at how volunteerism became one of Calgary’s defining characteristics, and why the model that built the city may be cracking under its own weight. At this edition of Hot Dogs & Hot Takes on History, Josh Traptow takes a look at Calgary’s long history of volunteerism and why the model that helped build the city may be starting to crack under its own weight. Calgary spent decades relying on passionate people to step up and fill the gaps — and for a long time, they did. But what happens when the same people are doing more with less support, less time, and less capacity to keep going? Part history lesson, part civic reality check, this conversation explores how volunteerism became one of Calgary’s defining characteristics and whether we’ve started treating community spirit as an unlimited resource. Burnout isn’t just a nonprofit issue anymore. It’s becoming a city issue. Come for the hot dogs, stay for the realization that half of Calgary is being held together by committee meetings and someone’s very overworked calendar.