by: Anne Sowden, AICI CIP

As business owners, executives, mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, partners, employers, employees and mentors, women do it all. And yet they still find time to volunteer in the community. While the organizations may vary, the reason for volunteering is the same - to give back to the community. A lot of CAWEE members volunteer and I spoke to some of them about what they do and why they do it.

Judi Hughes, Your Planning Partners, volunteers with The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario, a non-profit corporation founded in 1979 whose objectives are to provide family support and education, increase public awareness and advocate for improved services and raise money for research. Although Schizophrenia is the most prevalent of all psychiatric illnesses affecting over 100,000 people in Ontario (1 in every 100 Canadians), funding is almost non-existent. At present schizophrenia costs the province of Ontario almost $3 billion annually. This amount includes the costs related to hospitalization, outpatient treatment, community living, medication and disability pensions, as well as loss of productivity. Judi says she is inspired by "feelings of complete fulfillment in giving back to the community".

Susan Quinn, X Design, is on the board of the Nightwood Theatre. For twenty-five years this theatre, a not-for profit production company, has produced, developed and toured landmark, award-winning plays by and about outspoken Canadian women. It advocates for women, provides a training ground for emerging talent, promotes diversity and engages artists in play development and theatre production. Women are not supported in the theatre industry and finding a woman in a senior position within this community is next to impossible. Through their youth initiatives and mentorship programs they help young girls have an opportunity to gain confidence and self awareness in today's judgmental world. The organization's vision is to work towards a society free of discrimination and cultivate a Canadian theatre ecology that recognizes and celebrates the excellence of its female practitioners.

Susan believes that we are losing our arts and knows what a difference they made in her life as a girl. She volunteers for Nightwood and is on the board because she believes they are helping not only the people who put on the plays but also the people who watch them.

As a volunteer at the Royal Ontario Museum, Joan Hamilton of Virtual Office Solutions has the opportunity to sell reproductions of artifacts owned by the Museum to people from around the globe. She says it motivates and inspires her to see people's delight when purchasing items and feels the traditions of the ROM touches people of all cultures.

Zofia Hall, an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities, is also the new President of the Board of Directors for the Toronto Operetta Theatre (www.torontooperetta.com), Canada's only professional classical operetta company. Founded in 1985, Toronto Operetta Theatre's repertoire embraces great works rooted in the Viennese tradition, such as Die Fledermaus, La Vie Parisienne, The Mikado, May Fair Lady, Merry Widow, as well as daring and innovative repertoire, such as Candide, Gypsy Violins, Lady in the Dark. Zofia takes the reigns of the company on a volunteer basis, after several years in the service of the art form, theatre's wonderful artists and its admiring audience. Her considerable energy will be focused to ensure continued prosperity and a magnificent future for operetta in Canada.

Helga Teitsson, a real estate agent for Remax, has volunteered for years in many areas. One year she received The Volunteer Service Award from the Government of Ontario for her work with the Girl Guides of Canada. She is currently on the parent council of her children's high school and puts together a weekly bulletin for parents that keep them up to date on the many activities at the school. She feels that her latest contribution isn't too exciting or very newsworthy, but as we all know, our children are the very foundation of society so her efforts are much needed indeed.

Mary Ellen Tomlinson, Senior Care Options says that "volunteering is very important to her and personally satisfying." She volunteers with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, as well as with palliative care. She is motivated by a need to educate and increase awareness. While the Heart and Stroke Foundation has a long history of education and awareness, she believes their new focus on women is critical. With palliative care, she says that there are social networks available but once again, the awareness is lacking.

Michelle Wassenaar, Johnston Wassenaar LLP doesn't think she's much of a volunteer but this is what she does. She volunteers at her boys' school every other Monday afternoon in their classrooms. Until December 2006, she was President of the Canadian Netherlands Business and Professional Association, which provides a forum for business people and professionals with Dutch interests to interact on a regular basis, discuss common business interests and to promote the economic and social interests of its members. This was a three year term. She does aphoresis, which without getting technical is donating her platelets. And, she also does some pro bono trade-mark work for Big Sisters of Canada and Regent Park (Pathways to Education). And she doesn't think she's much of a volunteer!

My own volunteer work includes being on the board of AICI (Association of Image Consultants International) and working with Dress Your Best. DYB helps people gain employment by outfitting them with clothes for the workplace ranging in styles from business casual to business formal. Their mission is to help our clients look impressive and feel confident. Their goal is to help them gain employment. I get tremendous personal satisfaction from helping someone look good and feel confident. The smiles, the hugs and thank-yous mean so much.

When I asked Michelle Wassenaar why she volunteered she said, "I think it's the right thing to do and if everyone does a little bit of volunteering we're all better off". I think that sums up why we all volunteer.

Anne Sowden is a certified image professional and experienced marketer. Through her company Here's Looking at You, Anne provides individuals and companies with practical solutions to ensure professional success. Through image enhancement, she empowers clients to achieve increased confidence, effectiveness, credibility and trust. Areas of consulting include: body, colour and style analysis, wardrobe assessment, business etiquette, verbal and non-verbal communication and personal shopping. She can be reached at 416-429-8028 or by email at: info@hereslookingatyou.ca.