🌟 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! 🌟
Allow us to introduce you to our incredible Board President, Emily van Straten! Emily’s leadership, dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm make her a valuable member of our Board of Directors.
We asked Emily if she could answer a few questions for us:
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗦𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿?
I got involved as a board member with Big Brothers Big Sisters back in 2020, when I wanted to get more involved with the community. As a recent graduate from University, I was feeling a little lost, and was looking for a community to be a part of, that made a difference, not just a place where everyone toots their own horn. We all have a desire to help others in some way, this was an easy choice for me. After seeing the need for board members with Big Brothers Big Sisters on social media, I threw my name into the mix as someone who can bring HR expertise, knowledge of the local community, and some fun energy I like to think.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀, 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗕𝗕𝗦?
My time on the board has been nothing short of amazing. From volunteering at events, calling donors to thank them, celebrating grant applications and Smile Cookie recipients, it has made a huge difference for the youth in our community. Highlights of my time with BBBS, include Big Night Out – our biggest event of the year. We have so many great community members come out, amazing sponsors, and everyone has a fantastic spooky night out. The other highlights come from mentor and mentee updates that we read through staff updates (or have at our Annual General Meeting). Hearing or reading the testimonies from youth about their experience, how they’ve grown, new things they’ve learned, or just having someone there for them – is why I do this. If this organization didn’t exist, I can’t imagine how our youth would navigate their lives.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗕𝗕𝗦, 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱/𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿?
At the end of life, no one makes it through without someone else’s help (at some point). It’s at the core of being human, helping. In one way or another. Reach out to our staff, our board members, ask them about their experiences. Everyone has had that eye opening moment of – this is why I volunteer; this is why I do what I do. We have a variety of opportunities to volunteer, with a variety of time commitments. We can work with what works for you.
Thank you Emily for your leadership and dedication to our agency. We are beyond grateful to have you as part of our team!
