Volunteer Appreciation Event

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Written by Karen Madho, Government Relations, CNIB, IABC/Toronto member and volunteer

On Thursday, June 18, approximately 60 IABC/Toronto volunteers gathered on an overcast evening for the volunteer appreciation event. Though the weather was a bit iffy, the indoor/outdoor patio at the Madison Avenue pub heated up with great conversation, plenty of hors d’oeuvres, a sumptuous BBQ dinner, an engaging cartoon-themed networking game and many door prizes.

As a first-time volunteer with IABC/Toronto, I made my way around the patio and got a chance to chat with a number of individuals who were glad to share their stories and insights about their volunteer experiences.

I learned that for many of the professionals gathered that evening, volunteering is really about giving back to the profession, a way to gain valuable skills and an opportunity to network with other communicators.

“I was really surprised at the positive feedback from volunteering this year,” expressed Patricia Burton, a first-time volunteer who worked with the OVATION Awards portfolio. “The superlatives were never-ending.”

Vanda Wall, who volunteered her time on the IABC/Toronto board, pointed out that the IABC/Toronto volunteers are the ones that make the chapter events and activities happen. “We wouldn’t have the benefits or the programming if it weren’t for the volunteers.”

As I mingled with my fellow communicators, I realized that volunteering was something I had always wanted to do, but for some reason, put on the back burner. I believed that volunteering was something that only seasoned professionals participated in. However, as I continued to make my way around the patio, it became evident that there were volunteers present with a spectrum of experiences, from students and those new to the profession, to communicators with many years under their belt.

Janet Wile, ABC, APR, MC shared “I’ve been a volunteer with IABC for a long time. Volunteering is a great opportunity to network, meet new people and offers the chance to do many different things that you wouldn’t necessarily do in your day-to-day job. It expands your professional experience.”

In chatting with several other volunteers, I learned about the range of opportunities available. There really is something for everyone, whether you are interested in a short-term volunteer opportunity for a specific event, or something more long-term like director of a program, such as mentoring. Throughout it all, every experience is geared to facilitate learning, and gives people the chance to use their talents, or discover new ones, while having the support of their peers.

“Early on in the year, usually in September, we hold a volunteer recruitment night,” explains Shari Balga, VP, Volunteer Services. “The event is set up in such a way that everyone who is interested in volunteering with IABC/Toronto can meet with the various portfolio leads, find out what opportunities are available and sign up to volunteer. It’s a great way to meet new people and to expand beyond your comfort zone and try something new. There are opportunities available to all levels: from event planning and support, to awards judging, strategic planning and think-tanks.”

“Volunteers are the life blood of our organization,” expressed Leslie Hetherington, APR, President, IABC/Toronto at the volunteer appreciation event. “Every hour you give, contributes to the success of IABC/Toronto, the communications industry and ultimately, your own career. As with anything, you get out of it what you put into it.”

On behalf of the volunteers portfolio, we’d like to extend our sincerest thank you to the 165 individuals who volunteered their time and talents this year. We had a terrific year and look forward to seeing you at the volunteer recruitment event in September.

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