Leading the Junior League of Winnipeg
May
10, 2004
By Cam Tait
WINNIPEG, MB // Shanna Harpo could have very easily declined the informal request to lead the Junior League of Winnipeg into their next generation. She could have very politely said "No thank-you" and refused to carry the torch. But that's not Shanna.
"I've been volunteering for most of my life. I didn't recognize it as
such back then, but it was junior high when I really started to get
involved in things at school such as student council, peer support groups,
drama, and other clubs or events," Shanna says. "Once you get involved,
it's hard not to be. Volunteering becomes a part of your everyday life,
becomes something you just do. It's safe to say that volunteering is
now permanently in my blood."
Shanna was front and centre last week when the Junior League of Winnipeg lit the candles on their 75th birthday cake. She is a new member - and also the group's youngest recruit.
"[The celebration] events were really something special to be a part
of," she says. "The camaraderie, the friendship, the support, the memories,
the laughs - those ladies treasured every moment they spent together
whether in service or in friendship. The women's Junior League of Winnipeg
was something special to them and it showed."
It all began when a member of the Junior League asked Shanna to get involved. After attending an information session, the spirit of the group captured her, and wouldn't let go. And, it was a perfect fit: after sharing her time on the university campus, Shanna was looking for a new volunteer challenge. Her work with the Junior League quickly built an impressive resume - selling cookies to raise funds for the Festival of Trees, and getting involved with the Raise-A-Reader campaign.
When Shanna is asked to share a few volunteer memories, she says that
"in general it's the friends, the laughter." Besides making wonderful
friends, her volunteering has allowed her time to polish up on public
speaking, organizational skills, time management, patience, leadership,
compassion and understanding. "The skills received in volunteering are
numerous, varied and highly valuable."
Introducing young people to volunteering is increasingly important,
she says. But she stresses that it may be easier said than done. "Finding
fresh volunteers of any age is a challenge for most organizations. As
in many work places, sustainability is an issue. Dedicated volunteers
have gotten older but there's no one to take their place. Regeneration
has, for some, taken over what used to be the maintenance of these projects
and volunteer groups."
Shanna says the "inability to say no" has kept her volunteering. It
has become a way of life for her. And, so she will carry the Junior
League of Winnipeg torch. "I can only hope to be as spry and have such
wonderful friends when I'm well seasoned. [The 75th anniversary] gave
all of us new members something to look forward to in this legacy we
hope to continue and become a part of."
Do you know of someone who deserves to be in Charity Village's Spotlight?
Send us their name, telephone number and details about their community involvement
to cam@charityvillage.com.
