Between April 15 and 21, 2018, Canada celebrates National Volunteer Week. In recognition of our own remarkable volunteers, the Dalhousie Alumni Engagement team caught up with a few Dalhousians who are making a difference in our global alumni community. 

By raising their hands as volunteers, alumni raise Dalhousie pride and profile in cities around the globe. Dating back as early as 1871, with the creation of the Dalhousie Alumni Association, alumni have been mobilizing as groups and individuals through initiatives that build relationships, student supports, and stronger communities.

Alumni regularly host events in their home communities, including alumni pictured here at an event in Edmonton. (Pictured from left to right: Katelyn Andrews, Hilary Saunders, Thomas McGoey, and Tero Virtanen).

“I returned to Calgary following my graduation, and when I heard there was an alumni chapter in the city, I felt it was a great way to connect with other grads in my area, and an opportunity to stay involved with the incredible institution that I had enjoyed for four years,” says Jason Strandberg (BComm’15), Chair of the Calgary alumni chapter.

Over the years, alumni volunteer initiatives have grown to include a variety of boards and programs; through these initiatives, alumni and students benefit from the hard-work and dedication of our volunteers, and have enjoyed alumni-hosted events around the world, enhanced supports and resources, and a more cohesive Dalhousie community.

It starts with students

Jaime Nickerson (BScK’07) supports the Dalhousie community through her volunteer role on the Dalhousie Alumni Association board in a variety of ways, and says it was her experience as a student that inspired her to give back.

Join Jaime Nickerson and fellow alumni in Halifax and volunteer for the 2018 alumni water station at the Bluenose Marathon on May 20.

“It wasn’t until a few years after graduation from Dal that I really thought about how much Dal had given to me beyond my education,” Jaime explains. “I wanted to be a part of making sure that current and future students could also get more than their parchment out of their time at Dal.”

For many, volunteering within the Dalhousie community is a way to continue the philanthropic work they began as students. As one of this year’s Governors’ Award winners, soon-to-be graduate of Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture, Jeremy Stroud has been recognized for his remarkable contributions as a volunteer on his campus and in his field.

“Volunteering with Dal allowed me to work with others and meet individuals in the community with similar goals. It also gave me the opportunity to give back,” Jeremy says. “I recognize how fortunate we are as Canadians and I think that working towards the betterment of our community is an excellent way to express gratitude.”

With plans to return home to Toronto following convocation, Jeremy has already reached out to connect with the alumni chapter in his city: “I have always tried to dedicate time to volunteering initiatives, and I see [connecting with the alumni network] as a continuance of my work at Dal,” he notes.

An opportunity for everyone

According to Peter Chow (BSc’70, BScPh’72), a proud champion for Dal and Chair of the Hong Kong alumni chapter, alumni will naturally expand their networks through volunteering with Dalhousie, and for that reason it can be particularly beneficial for young alumni.

“I’ve met life-long friends, made career connections, experienced student gratitude, and genuinely have had a lot of fun volunteering as an alum. Your time and talent is valuable, and how you use it should be rewarding to you. With so many different ways in which to volunteer at Dal, there really is an opportunity for every interest.” – Jaime Nickerson (BScK’07)

Proud of our history and dedicated community of volunteers, we continue to support our traditional volunteer initiatives, while also branching into new opportunities. There are currently opportunities to join the Dalhousie Alumni Association, engage with your faculty, as well as identify your own interests and be connected with a volunteer coordinator who will work with you personally to find the right fit for you.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities, programs, or communities, please contact us at volunteer@dal.ca, or call Stacey de Molitor at 902.494.6857.