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Tanya's Staff reflection
1. What is/was your role and what do/did your responsibilities entail?
I served as a remote Volunteer Manager at YRES during the spring and summer of 2024, having been offered this part-time position after completing my winter 2024 co-op term here as a Volunteer Coordinator. I continued overseeing YRES’s in-person and virtual volunteer network while onboarding and training new university co-op students to take on volunteer coordinating tasks for the term.
One of my biggest projects during spring/summer was to manage our pool of over 150 summer camp volunteers across five locations in Richmond Hill and Markham. My responsibilities included reviewing volunteer applications, providing safety training before camp, sending out shift reminder emails, and signing off on community hour forms after volunteers completed their shifts.. I worked closely with the Camp Directors and company executives to ensure that volunteers are well prepared for their assigned shifts, utilizing training sessions, self-learning materials, and mandatory quizzes. I created spreadsheets for each campsite to help site leaders coordinate the volunteers of their site with tracking attendance, taking note of any issues, and collecting weekly feedback.
I also assisted a fellow Project Coordinator in organizing and managing the Volunteer Appreciation Event on the day. I helped review the event timeline, MC scripts, and the presentation slides prior to the event, as well as helped to address last-minute changes in the hours leading up to it. During the event, I served as a backstage coordinator, managing volunteers and ensuring they were bringing out the correct prizes and awards at the appropriate times.
2. How has working at YRES contributed to your professional growth and development?
Taking on a managerial role in the fast-paced work environment of YRES, my leadership and organizational skills were greatly refined. As the primary email correspondent with our volunteers for various summer programs and events, as well as the person responsible for scheduling shifts and assigning them to different campsites, I have learned to manage multiple priorities while ensuring clear and timely communication. I had to be detail-oriented as I coordinated logistics and addressed any last-minute changes from both our team and the volunteers.
Taking on consulting projects with other universities and planning events in collaboration with other community partners has significantly strengthened my stakeholder management skills. I have learned to navigate different interests and facilitate discussions to build consensus among various groups. Additionally, there were instances where I had to resolve disciplinary matters with our volunteers, which underscored the importance of empathy in leadership. These experiences have enhanced my ability to approach conflicts with a solutions-oriented mindset and the value of ensuring all parties feel heard and respected.
3. What do you appreciate most about the company culture?
I appreciate how our company emphasizes celebrating employee achievements. Whether it is recognizing individual contributions in team messaging channels or highlighting successes through company-wide announcements and on public platforms like social media (e.g., our employee of the month posts), this practice fosters a sense of belonging and motivation. It boosts morale and also encourages employees to strive for betterment and to contribute their best, knowing that their works are acknowledged and valued.