Let me tell you a little about the newest role added to the Alumni Relations team. My new role, Alumni Officer, Volunteer Engagement was created in the last year as our volunteer programs have continued to grow. We felt the need to have someone on the Alumni Relation’s team dedicated to implementing a volunteer engagement strategy to keep up with the amazing pace we were experiencing. The purpose of my role is to support our alumni volunteers and any others who work with alumni volunteers across campus to ensure a mutually beneficial experience for Alumni Relations and our volunteers.
In my opinion I have one of the best jobs at the University as I am able to work with volunteers all over the world who engage with other alumni, and share their pride and enthusiasm for the place they once called home. Our volunteers are always coming up with ways to connect with alumni in their respective regions, building upon those communities just a few or a thousand miles from Waterloo campus. I am constantly inspired by the creativity, accomplishments and dedication they bring to the table.
Our volunteers are creating opportunities for others, by sitting on our councils and boards helping to make large decisions that affect UWaterloo programs or projects to hosting networking events and socials for alumni in different cities, giving others a chance to reconnect with the University. It is a network of people who are in the same club….the UWaterloo alumni club! And we look to our volunteers to be our ambassadors and representatives where we (as University staff) cannot always be, they are crucial members of our team.
This week is National Volunteer Week! So I’m excited to have an opportunity to recognize our volunteers and the invaluable impact they have on the University every day. We would not be where we are today without the talent and time our alumni volunteers give. Please check out our National Volunteer Week video thanking all types of alumni who are involved and help pave the way for current and future students to have the remarkable experience our alumni are so proud to say they had.
Please help me in thanking them for all that they give and do.