The rewards of helping out
Most people think volunteering means stuffing envelopes or planning the decorations for the annual appreciation party. But the Concordia community’s immediate response to the events at Dawson a few weeks ago underscored the possibilities and rewards of giving time, energy and resources to those who can most benefit.
Ann McLaughlin, responsible for the Student Success Centre at Counselling and Development, knows that volunteering has the potential to help students make contacts, gain experience and develop abilities far beyond the classroom.
She is organizing the third annual Volunteer and Leadership Fair at Loyola on October 5 as an opportunity for students to find out more about groups that could directly benefit from their skills.
“This is the first year we are holding the fair at Loyola, but many of the organizations specifically wanted students in psychology, exercise science or human relations,” said McLaughlin.
The groups range from Unicef to the Volunteer Bureau of Montreal, Canada World Youth and Women Aware. But McLaughlin suggests students think more creatively.
“Performing arts students might want to visit drop-in or rehabitilitation centres in order to do a run-through of a show they are working on,”
The Fair will be at the Richard J. Renaud Science Complex between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.