January 2016
James Skidmore (Skid) is the type of person who welcomes any opportunity to get involved, give back, and make a tangible difference in all that he does.
These values were instilled in him early on. Encouraged by his parents, James was taught that volunteering and actively participating in the community was the norm — it was just what you did. His term as Faculty Co-Chair for the Keystone Campaign was no different. Skid embraced the role from day one, working closely with other campaign members to explore the culture of giving on campus (among faculty), and raise awareness of the value of contributing.
“It’s important for faculty to support the campus outside of an academic setting,” says Skidmore. “One worthwhile way of doing so is by donating to the Keystone Campaign.” Such contributions help the University achieve its aims and goals, and provide a way for donors to “stand up for the University, helping to ensure it’s as good as it can be.”
When Skid took on the role of Faculty Co-Chair three years ago, he didn’t expect many to notice. But his colleagues did, and when they mentioned that they saw his name on this communication or that event poster, it gave him the opportunity to open a dialogue and encourage them to “think less about what the University can do for you, and more about what you can do for the University.”
Challenging common thought and skepticism around giving is just that — a challenge. But perhaps what any of us not yet supporting the University’s Keystone Campaign can do is challenge ourselves to get involved. Skid advises starting small and “making it a habit. Even $10 a month. Donating provides a way for us to connect with the institution, or a faculty or unit. It’s the first step towards a lifetime of involvement with the institution.”
To Skid, the Keystone Campaign is about more than just asking for money: it’s about providing fun activities and events and celebrating being here together, as employees of the University. When asked for his fondest memory as Faculty Co-Chair, he cited working with the staff in the Office of Advancement and getting to know more about “advancement” in general. But what impressed him the most, not having realized it before actively getting involved with Keystone, was the number of volunteers and the significant role they play behind the scenes.
“Volunteers keep Keystone present for us,” says Skidmore. “Events take effort, so it’s good to lend a hand and support these worthy causes.” Skid will be doing just that with the upcoming Treat-a-Gram event, for which he uses a spreadsheet to track and organize the goodies he anonymously sends out across campus. His favourite treat to send (and receive)? Cake pops.
Having passed the baton to his Faculty Co-Chair successor, Sheila Ager, whom he describes as smart, dedicated, and knowledgeable of the campus and its community, Skid would like to extend “big thanks to the staff of Keystone, who have always been extremely supportive and willing to listen to my crazy ideas, as well as the other co-chairs, whom I appreciate and enjoyed working with.”