Sarah Iaquinta, M.A. shares her insight on serving as a current volunteer for her own organization and the impact past volunteers have had on her sorority experience. Thank you for the work you do, Sarah!
One of the mantras I live my life by is, “give back what has been graciously given to you” and that is exactly what I wanted to do when I became an alumna of Pi Beta Phi.
I signed up to be a volunteer shortly after graduating and to my surprise, I would begin serving as a member of the Alumnae Advisory Committee (AAC) for the WV Alpha chapter (WVU) in the late fall of 2016. After a year, I stepped down to focus on graduate school, however, that hiatus would not last long. After two years, I returned to AAC but this time at my initiated chapter PA Zeta at Washington & Jefferson College.
Serving as a chapter advisor has been one of the most rewarding (yet sometimes challenging!) experiences in my life. Pi Phi has six core values, one of which is lifelong commitment. As a member, I feel it’s my responsibility to uphold this core value and provide guidance and support to the newest generation of sisters. Joining Pi Phi changed my life and my hope is to give the same, if not better, experience and opportunity to the collegiate members I advise.
As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, let’s take a moment to think about all of those who have volunteered their time. Volunteers make the world a better place, especially in our darkest hours. Think about when natural disasters occur or those who help in shelters or food banks, for example. If it were not for those individuals providing their time, aid or expertise, who knows what the outcome would be or how much longer it would take to recover.
Volunteers are truly unsung heroes. When it comes to fraternity and sorority life, volunteers help sustain our organizations….and no I don’t mean the annual financial support. The members who make up your Boards, Grand Councils, Regional and Local teams help to ensure your organizations continue by providing guidance and help to recruit a new generation of members.
It was not until I became an alumna member did I realized the impact volunteers made on an organization. If it were not for them we would not be able to establish new chapters, financially sustain our organizations or, most importantly, keep our fraternity or sorority traditions alive. The alumnae volunteers who served (and the few who are still here) at my chapter, embodied lifelong commitment and encouraged me to get involved as they knew how much Pi Phi meant to me.
At some point throughout the week, reach out to your volunteers and express your gratitude for their service and support. It does not have to be within the fraternity and sorority life community. It can be at your church, shelter or anywhere else you may volunteer your time and expertise. Sometimes volunteers don’t feel appreciated, however, a simple thank you goes a long way.
Happy National Volunteer Week!!!
