In Praise of Volunteers
This weekend wraps up National Volunteer Week. We owe much gratitude to all those who volunteer for making our lives and communities better for it. Whether volunteers assist business organizations like the CMA, sort food at the food bank or raise funds to fight cancer – giving of oneself needs to be appreciated by all of us.
Yesterday, at an event held by the Canadian Society of Association Executives Trillium Chapter, we heard from a young woman who in 2005 was the recipient of the YWCA ‘Woman of Distinction’ award. At 24, she really understands the power of volunteerism and is using her own experience as a volunteer to role model others. She founded an organization called the Medina Collective to help women of colour participate in the urban arts community, where they might be inspired to affect change in their lives and communities. Medina Magazine was launched to provide a medium for dialogue with these young women. Here is a woman who has lived through adversity, is telling her story, and working at finding solutions. She understands the youth of today, and how to reach them. At Ryerson, she is studying marketing, and there is no doubt she will involve social media in a big way to help young women get ahead. The audience was totally captivated by her presentation; her poise, drive, and passion.
She would like to connect with entrepreneurial women in the areas of media, publishing and fundraising who are willing to mentor her. Sounds like a great volunteer opportunity to put marketing know-how to good use. Expressions of interest welcome.
