A view from Tammy's world
February 7, 2005
By Cam Tait
VANCOUVER, BC // Success is something Tammy Lawrence sees daily. She views it in many different shapes and forms in the Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland office.
"We have successes everyday," Tammy writes in an e-mail. "When a new volunteer sends in her application to be a Big Sister or when a new donor sends an unsolicited cheque, we consider it a success. We hear fabulous stories from Big Sisters, and parents of Little Sisters, about the impact this program has had and we know that our service is essential for the girls who need it. Our success comes when girls grow up into healthy, confident women and enter a new phase of their life armed with life skills, personal skills, and confidence."
Tammy strongly believes all girls with less opportunities deserve an equal playing field and she wants to do anything she can to help further that cause. She started right out of university when she went to work for a nonprofit organization involving females and sport. "I have always felt compelled to work for nonprofit because I feel it is important to give back and to make a difference," she says.
Tammy wanted to be a Big Sister for years, but personal situations dictated
otherwise. Then, when a position became available she "jumped" at it.
Now, as the organization's manager of resource development, she raises
funds in many ways. "I am responsible for organizing the three annual
events - a spring lunch, a golf tournament, and a gala auction and dinner,"
Tammy says. "I also prepare grant applications, corporate sponsorship
proposals, fundraising campaigns, direct mail, chair the fund development
committee, and anything else that will raise money for the organization.
I have a personal commitment to healthy living and coordinate the Healthy
Living Initiative that was formed to promote self-esteem by educating,
encouraging, and empowering girls to make healthy lifestyle choices."
Still, there's a need for more: more supporters and donors. "Our difficulty
comes from the fact that the donors and sponsors we seek are not beneficiaries
of our service. The families who access the Big Sisters program are
not the sponsors and donors who financially support our organization.
So we have to do more work to communicate the benefit and the impact
of our service to potential supporters. Because our program is based
on prevention, it is sometimes difficult to track the long-term benefits,
especially quantitatively. We have many compelling stories that we share,
but sometimes people want to see numbers."
Through her job, Tammy has met some fabulous people and has seen, firsthand, the 'art of giving'. "Our success comes when we get a personal connection with someone. It is important to focus on your immediate circle first and then branch out to attract new donors. The people that are more likely to support you are the ones who have already had contact with you. One thing I have learned is you can never say thank-you too much!"
She sees a bright future for Big Sisters with more volunteers, more donors, and of course, more matches between Big and Little Sisters. "One day our waiting list will be minimal and the waiting time for a Big Sister will only be the time it takes to process the match," says Tammy. "Anything I can do to help kids enjoy life, get healthy, and grow up to be the absolute best they can be motivates me to get up and get at it everyday."
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.
