Community Outreach.
Whether listening to local small non-profits hearing their greatest financial needs to best serve their base, or building up a supporters group for Winnipeg's new professional soccer team, taking an active role within the local community provides tremendous opportunities for personal development, learning, and meeting new people from diverse backgrounds.
Since 2014, I have had the tremendous opportunity to participate in the United Way's Agency Liaison Volunteer (ALV) program. My role as an ALV is to review local non profit organizations, who are seeking United Way funds in order to meet the needs, while ensuring that funding they receive provides maximum impact. I have been fortunate to play a role in helping organizations including Wolseley Family Place, Innercity Renovations, Canadian Muslim Women's Institute, and SEED Winnipeg reviewing their needs, providing funding recommendations, while ensuring they are making a positive impact within Winnipeg.
In July, 2015, I went to Toronto, Ontario, to participate in Al Gore's Climate Reality Project leadership training. Over two days, leaders learned key strategies in communicating climate change policies to the public, social media marketing, while networking with other passionate environmentalists. Over the past two years, I have done a presentation at a local united church, wrote several articles for print and online publications. I have been able to sharpen my public speaking skills, developing a public relations strategy, and connecting with people on a key public policy issue. I was acknowledged by Climate Reality Project President and CEO Ken Berlin for my first 10 Acts of Leadership. Moving forward in my sustainability career, this experience has given the confidence to speak in front of a public audience in a clear and engaging manner.
One of my greatest interest is supporting "The Beautiful Game": Soccer. This year, I, and a few Winnipeg soccer fans started a supporters group for Winnipeg's Canadian Premier League Team called Valour FC, which begins in April 2019. We have met monthly to plan out strategies for our group, marketing, and merchandising. I have helped maintained the group's social media platform, utilizing Twitter, Facebook to engage local fans, and also compiled a website to write articles leading up to the new league. We have also been featured twice in the Winnipeg Metro, Vice Sports, and on the Valour FC website. I have also done radio appearances on CKUW's 11@10 to drum of further support of the Red River Rising Brand. In the future, I would like us to be involved, supporting community initiatives, and helping make Winnipeg a better place for everyone, while growing the game of soccer.
This summer, I volunteered for the media crew during the 2017 Canada Summer Games at the Duckworth Centre, which hosted the basketball tournament. I was involved in many different activities pertaining to media. I helped set up and take down the media mix zone, where media could interview athletes, and coaches after a game. I also help managed the info desk, where fans would ask questions about the games, and I also assisted in the media room, where journalists would sign in, and check out. My experience at the 2017 Canada Summer games was excellent. I learned new skills setting up and taking down for media events, sports management, and helped provide fans a positive and happy Canada Summer Games experience.