For National Volunteer Week, we want to highlight the incredible volunteer work Financial Literacy Counsel (FLC) staff and advisors are doing outside of our organization.
One of our company values is to do good for others to build stronger families and communities. Thus, we are happy to proactively support our staff and advisors in their volunteering efforts. We applaud our workforce for investing their time, skills, and generosity as community volunteers.
Read their stories to learn more about how volunteering brings more positivity into their perspective.
Bobby | Million Dollar Round Table
Bobby is the Annual Meeting Focus Session Captain at Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)—a global, independent association of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals. He collaborates with staff to plan and develop content for the Annual Meeting by selecting topics and speakers that will benefit the global membership. He also assists speakers in the preparation of their content.
“Volunteering allows me to genuinely engage with the organization, appreciate the work done behind the scenes, and meet other like-minded people so I can give back and share.
I’ve benefitted by learning from the best financial advisors in the world who have equipped me to be at the forefront of what is to come in our industry such as the changing regulatory environment and evolving client needs. Having a global network means I can help clients connect with other great advisors.”
Bobby also donates his time to the finance committee and board of governors at his local school. Find out more about Bobby’s work with MDRT.
George | Church Events
George’s volunteer role changed when his church switched to online and hybrid services due to the global pandemic in 2020. People were still looking to connect, but the only way to do so en masse was through Zoom. George volunteers as a technology member by managing the website and social media content, answering social media inquiries, and helping set up audio-visual systems for both in-person and online experiences including managing Zoom meetings, Webinars, and AV at events.
“I volunteer because I like connecting people with one another and I love it when an event program all comes together: the music, the singers, the videos, the people, and the ambiance.
Volunteering helps me look at a problem or situation using a holistic approach and then break down the issue into bite-size problems that we can deal with. This experience has helped me build a solid base when tackling issues related to work, life, and relationships.”
Olivia | Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports
Olivia volunteers as a ski instructor for people with disabilities at the Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports (VASS) helping people with a range of disabilities get out into the local mountains and play in the snow.
“I love being in the mountains and skiing so much but for many people, they need some extra support. I really enjoy helping them gain confidence in a new skill, or—for those who are looking to get back into skiing—figure out what equipment will help them and learn to use it.
I spent this season teaching a boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and instability in his legs how to ski. It was so rewarding seeing him progress from never having skied and being scared of any kind of speed to watching him ski down sections of a run unaided. A stand-out moment was at the end of our final lesson him running over to his Dad shouting, “That was so much fun!” and asking when they could go skiing together.
VASS is amazing at seeing a situation and thinking creatively about how to make it work best for the student. If they don’t have the right equipment they’ll adapt something they already have or build something completely new. This ‘just say yes, we’ll figure it out’ attitude has changed my perspective and made me more aware of how to make spaces and situations accessible to everyone.”
Patrick | English Congregational Board
Patrick has volunteered as the Chairperson for the English Congregational Board (ECB) for Basel Hakka Lutheran Church.
Along with chairing ECB meetings, the Chairperson’s main duties include providing leadership to ECB, aiding the Pastoral Ministry in ensuring the well-being of the church, supporting the work of the various church Ministries, and upholding the Confession of Faith and the Constitution of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC).
A key part of Patrick’s role was presenting an annual Church ministry plan, and directing the preparation of a budget based on the work of the Ministries for consideration and approval of members at the AGM.
“I wanted to volunteer to gain experience and understand the church from an operational level; and to provide my background and knowledge to help the organization. Volunteering has helped me gain different views, perspectives, and learn how different organizations work.”
Sara | Stanley Park Ecology
Sara volunteers at Stanley Park Ecology.
Over the years, she has participated in a number of species monitoring projects (like eagles, seasonal bird counts, beavers, bats, and invertebrates) as well as invasive species removal—aka digging up the blackberries 😅—and some ecological restoration around Lost Lagoon.
“I initially started volunteering when I was unemployed and fairly new to Canada. I figured that I could kill two birds with one stone—no pun intended—with my desire to not be idle in a new country, while also learning about the ecosystems in the place I live.
My experience from my childhood in Kenya, plus various fieldwork projects as a student in the UK taught me the social and economic importance of supporting nature where you live. It’s also really great for relaxation!
Volunteering has taught me to listen better, to be curious, and observe.”
Stephanie | YWCA
Stephanie assists with a program that supports students in their transition to high school with a focus on social and emotional health.
“Having worked in youth leadership and afterschool programs in the past, I volunteer to continue to give back. I enjoy mentoring young people and sharing valuable life lessons so they’ll be less likely to have to learn hard way.
Young people inspire me and teach me so much! Their unjaded optimism serves as a reminder to continue to move towards my goals and resist becoming apathetic in the face of adversity. I also enjoy learning about what’s trending with kids these days to keep my perspective fresh.”