Reconfirming Philanthropy; Adele Wang

Adele Wang wants to change the world. She gets excited at opportunities that are innovative and helpful to our society. She has always had a passion for travelling, meeting new people and learning anything and everything at once. She is a social butterfly who demands presence when she enters a room; which is hard to do when one is so short. Adele gains respect from her peers and colleagues through her intelligent analysis and ability to listen.

Here are some questions I asked Adele.

What are some of your passion when is comes to fundraising and philanthropy?

“I’ve always loved learning about people. There’s that curiosity about where someone’s from, what they do, what shapes what they believe in without fail and what drives the changes in opinions over the difference courses of their lives. I was lucky as a kid, I had a mentor who really instilled this in me.

As I got older, I became interested in issues beyond Canadian borders. This led me to my studies in Political Science with an emphasis on international relations, and drove me to take a life-changing volunteer trip to a small rural community in Guatemala before my fourth year. That was my first taste of meeting people from different places in Canada, and really the entire world. I got to observe different ways of life firsthand. From there I never really looked back – I knew that I wanted to do SOMETHING to connect with other people and help them.”

Do you feel like philanthropy gives meaning to other areas in your life?

“Working alongside and seeking people who see a different picture and potential of what could be, and wholeheartedly believe in their own personal power to change what they envision and see differently is important to me. The sense of community I have found at Evergreen Brickworks and among my friends from the Humber Fundraising and Volunteer Management program can really amplify the moments of empowerment in my daily life.

Anyone who knows me might complain that I go into too much detail about my love for travelling. I think it’s because I consider some of those trips as my most defining experiences to date. I spent two years travelling on and off, trying to figure out what direction I was moving in. I had a strong feeling I wanted to work in the non-profit sector but I wasn’t sure what my game plan was. Watching people connect from different parts of the world; it fascinated me and moves me. I really do think this is where I realized my love of local community development. I brought home the realization that I wanted to invest in my own city and community. Funny enough, it all came full circle. I fell in love with a lot of places where seeing that close sense of community, getting my food at a local market where I got to see and speak with others. This drew me to my internship at Evergreen Brickworks. Evergreen transformed an abandoned brick factory into a beautiful green space for the community to share with while still integrating it’s history.

Also, I have a deep passion for the arts and culture sector in Toronto. Personally, I equate it with quality family time. Growing up, my sister and I would get swept to museums, art shows and the symphony on weekends. Investing in a city that I live in, that’s special and it’s become a passion in my life.”

I think that some people have multiple passions, others have one. I have a few, and with fundraising and philanthropy I can explore them all.

Why do you feel like philanthropy is the right career path for you?

“Right now, I truly believe everyone has a dream, even if it’s not obvious to them, I think people feel strong emotions when something triggers it and they know that what they believe is that something should be different; that something should be changed. Something can be changed and it takes action and guts to do that. People want to be moved and if you can provide them with the moment where they feel it, it makes you feel amazing. I’m at such an early stage in my career that I’m not sure I have been able to do that yet, but I have been lucky enough to be around people who do, see and hear the stories of those affected, and where I have experiences a “wow, I want to be part of that” moment. I want to connect people to organizations that they either don’t know about or have always been connected with.

The thing that attracts me most to philanthropy is being in a position to be a part of helping others be more philanthropic. I want to be an enabler and connect people to opportunities.

Meeting my friends at Humber, experiencing the open culture of fundraising and philanthropy professionals in the non-profit community and the people I have met thus far in my internship have all reconfirmed why I feel as though this is the right place for me to be right now. We have to spend so much time at work that to have a moment of inspiration makes a difference in your productivity and day-to-day life. There is something to be said about finding and connecting with people who get just as passioned as you do about a cause. Imagine what it must be like to mobilize them and then you can’t wait to see what happens!”

Robyne’s “Gift of Gab”

I have known Robyne Balanuik for many years over and she always lights up a room with her energy. Robyne has the unique quality of making every experience an opportunity to learn, grow and enjoy. She has a deep respect for philanthropy and fundraising. When I asked Robyne if she would speak to me about philanthropy and her career she was enthused. She told me she wanted to sit down and make sure that every single word was thoughtfully written. I think you will agree with me when reading that Robyne means every word, and that every word is more powerful than the next.

What drove you to choose a career in philanthropy?

“Hands down, making a difference in my world, my community, in my lifetime.

I still remember the day that I knew philanthropy was for me. Walking through the halls of Brock University, a few months prior to graduating, all the colleges had booths in the main hallway. I was interested in pursuing a career in public relations, until I met Ken Wyman, Volunteer and Fundraising Management (VRFM) Program Coordinator. I noticed he was from Humber College (the college I was interested in studying PR at) and asked him where the rep from PR was located. Ken kindly answered my question, but asked why I was interested in PR – and I said ‘to make a difference’.

I’m sure Ken and I spent at least 20 minutes chatting about the VRFM program and all that it had to offer. I was sold on the program almost instantaneously. I knew this was the program for me and I’ve never regretted my decision.”

Was there some sort of injustice you wanted to help with, or was it that you just love to help people?

“I have often found myself in situations where, instinctively, I want to help. No matter the task at hand.

My father always told me I had the gift of the gab. I was able to remember the smallest details of conversations with people I had just met. And should our paths cross again, I was able to make the connection. He said I always knew how to make people feel heard and special. I have found this trait has gone a long way in my career.

My career in philanthropy has allowed me every opportunity to help someone, almost daily. It is not just helping the donor fulfill their dreams of helping an organization reach their goals, but how their time, talent or treasure has made an impact on the organization they are supporting. I have the opportunity and privilege of fulfilling a donors wish to help our organization and I witness, firsthand, hat their contributions do. If that doesn’t bring a smile to your face on a daily basis, I’m not sure what will.”

Why is your work important? How does it fulfill you?

“My work isn’t just work, it’s my career, my passion and my joy. Whatever the task is that day, be it writing a proposal for a donor, or stuffing envelopes I take ultimate price in my work. It is important for everyone, in any career to understand they aren’t just the person that distributes the mail, or answers the phone, or asks for donations, or writes and designs the monthly newsletter. No one is the ‘low man on the totem pole’. Every person, on every team is vital to the success of the organization.

My work is important because no matter what I’m doing that day, it’s helping and supporting a worthy organization save lives, provide better standards of living to our clients and creating a better community for everyone to live in and enjoy. Our donors are loyal to our organization, and our clients are loyal to our organization, just as I am.”

What else would you be doing to make you happy?

“I have been lucky enough to grow up spending time at the family farm with all our horses. Being able to pack your car and drive to the country and spend a weekend with your family (and your four legged ones too) is indescribable. It allows me the opportunity to get back to the core of who I am. I can take off my heels and the suit and change into my jeans and boot and just be me. No deadlines to meet, no meetings, no phone calls. My weekend at the farm provide the recharge I need to go back and be the best Donor Relations Officer I can be every day!”

Robyne is quite a story teller. She eloquently shares her story, and now we all want to be Donor Relations Officers?! Take away that Robyne is in a #mevolution state of mind; doing good, on all levels, in all areas of your life is important.

Thanks Robyne!

Food for Thought; Noah Kravitz

Speaking with for the first time Noah you realize he is on of the most animated speakers you will ever meet, using gestures and genuine excitement in his facial expressions you can feel the energy radiating off of him. This is what pushes you to feel and believe in Noah’s passions; making the world a better place. After spending a year with Noah while completing our post-graduate certifications in Fundraising and Volunteer Management from Humber College I learned that Noah really wants to make a difference in this world. He fearlessly experiences new adventures from new foods, travelling to volunteering at a new organization.

I asked Noah a few questions about what he does; these were some of his answers:

What drove you to choose a career in philanthropy?

“I always knew that I wanted to enter a profession that worked to assist those who are less fortunate. Both my parents are social workers and have worked their entire careers in social services. Being exposed to the nonprofit landscape at a young age, I pursued employment and volunteer opportunities facilitating child/youth programs and assisting in community development initiatives. Ultimately, it was my experience on the programming side that drove me to pursue a career in philanthropy. I strongly believe in the value of social service programs serving disadvantaged populations, and the lack of available funding coupled with continuous cuts, motivates me to do all that I can to ensure that they remain sustainable.”

Why is your work important?

“I have had the opportunity to see first-hand the impact that the programs my colleagues and I raise funds for have on its participants. Whether it be seniors from different cultural backgrounds coming together over a game of bingo or men and women experiencing homelessness socializing over a meal, it gives me great sense of accomplishment knowing that the work I embark on is making a difference in other people’s lives.”

How does your work fulfill you?

“It fulfills me to know that I am in a profession that works towards helping others and part of an overall community of like minded individuals. Getting involved in various community building projects, sharing stories with my peers and advocating for social change is what fulfills me on a day to day basis.”

What else makes you really happy?

“Besides my work I love exploring Toronto’s thriving food scene. My friend and I are currently on a mission to expose Torontonians to the best quality meals for $10 or less (before taxes). Currently we are working on a twitter movement #Food4ten, to start a community network for those in search of the best spots to dine on a budget throughout the city.”

Noah’s varying interests have led him to this career. Through his experiences and genuine passion he will surely help change the world. Follow Noah on Twitter!!