Two minutes with Sue Tersmette
August 30, 2004
By Cam Tait
Title: Volunteer Manager, Share the Magic Coordinator, Calgary
Learning Centre
Favourite colour: Green
Favourite television show: ER and all things CSI, and Law and Order, and...do you
detect a theme here?
Favourite movie: Secondhand Lions
Favourite book: Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons
Favourite food: Most shellfish (though raw oysters I can do without!)
Favourite web site: Well, of course I should say Charity Village, which truly is one
of the best volunteer sites, but believe it or not, I don't really have a favourite,
though I love checking out travel sites when we have upcoming vacations to plan.
Favourite music: I'm kind of a classic rock sort of gal, but I probably have one of
the most eclectic tastes in music, enjoying all kinds of different stuff (you should
see my CD collection), but I like rap the LEAST.
Favourite destination spot: Oregon Coast
Childhood idol: I was a teenager in the 70s, so of course Tiger Beat magazine
purchases were especially important when Donny Osmond graced the cover.
Your hero: Oh, now you're requiring me to dig deep. I am not
really into hero worship. I think three of my heroes are my three sons.
They are growing into responsible, mature young adults, who fortunately,
have managed to make smart, independent choices away from the "dark
side" of some of the issues pressuring kids today.
Why you decided to work in the nonprofit sector: I have been the consummate
volunteer myself for almost 30 years. After leaving the nursing profession
behind, I managed to find positions in organizations where volunteers played a huge
role in the successful day-to-day operations. I was fortunate enough to be able to
supervise groups of volunteers, which led me to complete my Introduction to
Volunteer Management certificate with Volunteer Calgary. I can honestly say I
didn't seek out positions in the nonprofit sector, but the types of positions
available in these organizations were what interested me. How can you not love
those folks who so readily give their time and talent to an organization's cause?
Person who has had the most influence on you: My Dad. He helped me when I needed it,
but allowed me the independence and responsibility to choose my own path,
encouraging and supporting me along the way.
In three words, describe charity: Giving, caring, helping.
Favourite charities you support, excluding your own: Canadian Cancer Society,
Calgary Children's Foundation
What two things would you like to see changed in the sector in the
next five years?: 1. I would like to see volunteer management raised in status beyond a glorified
"clerical" position. 2. I would like to see more organizations (including
nonprofits) encouraging volunteerism among their staff, and lending support and time
to make that happen.
Favourite saying: Suck it up buttercup! (Great one for kids who
whine - yes, including those heroes of mine.)
Favourite hobby: Scrapbooking
If you could spend 30 minutes with anyone, who would it be?:
My Dad, who passed away
14 years ago.
Fantasy fundraising event: I think it could be great fun for some venue (like
Spruce Meadows) to donate their space and have guests at the event participate in
some fun Olympic-like events. For example, within our staff alone, we have several
women who spent years on a horse when they were growing up. It could be fun to have
horseback riding events (not tough stuff like jumping, but easy stuff like steering
a horse around a bunch of pylons), brain sports like completing puzzles, and other
kinds of races. I'm not big into the fancy-schmancy, chi chi gala affairs. I prefer events that engage folks and are lots of fun (e.g. United Way Corporate
Challenge events are a hoot!).
Which movie star would you pick as your group's honorary chair?:
For our organization, someone with a learning difficulty, for example
Einstein, but he's dead. So Tom Cruise would probably fit the bill,
as I believe he had learning difficulties in school, and he's pretty
sexy too so he would be a great draw!
Favourite joke you can share with children and adults: You're assuming I can
remember jokes, which I never can. But a good political joke is always worth a
laugh.
-Knock knock
-Who's there?
-Toby
-Toby who?
-Toby or not Toby? That is the question.
Do you know someone who deserves to be in the Charity Village Spotlight? Send us their name, telephone number and details about their community involvement to cam@charityvillage.com.
