National Volunteer Week: We’re celebrating our employee volunteers

National Volunteer Week runs from April 24-30 in Canada. This week, we’re celebrating our hard-working volunteers across the company who generously give their time to the causes that matter most to them.

Generosity — helping others, protecting the environment and making our communities more resilient — is one of the values that guides our work. Volunteering is one of the ways we bring our Generosity value to life and help the communities we live and work in.

We asked some of our colleagues who are passionate about volunteering in their local communities to share their experience and advice. Here’s what they had to say...

Belise Ntenkap

Senior Software Developer, Montreal, Quebec

Where do you volunteer? Les Petits Frères

How do you feel about your experience? Very rewarding to share with elders and very encouraging to see the positive impact that I bring in their daily life, and to receive recognition from them.

What would you say to someone who’s thinking about volunteering? You will grow so much from it! It’s a very beautiful experience.

What does it mean to you to know Intact donates $20 for every hour you volunteer? I am very proud to be a part of this great organization, where shining light in society in a concrete way is a fundamental value.

Allan Miller

CIP, Field Claims Representative III Property , Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador

Where do you volunteer? Exploits Search and Rescue since 1999.

Why do you volunteer? Being able to give back to the community. Being part of this team has been very rewarding over the years. Seeing the faces when you bring a loved one home makes it all worthwhile.

What would you say to someone who’s thinking about volunteering? DO IT, you will not regret the time spent giving to others. It’s about helping others and building your community. It can be as simple as taking an interest in your own neighbourhood and picking up some trash to clean the area.

What does it mean to you to know Intact donates $20 for every hour you volunteer? When I joined Intact and found out that Intact donates $20 for every hour of service, I was over the moon. To be able to give those funds to the team I have been a part of and help grow it further was such a great way for Intact to show their appreciation and support. It shows we are about helping and building community.

Grant Clarke

VP, National Personal Lines (BrokerLink), Edmonton, Alberta

Where do you volunteer? Lions Village. The goal of the Society is to provide affordable housing for low and middle-income seniors. The Lions were looking for young business-minded people to join the board and continue the mission of the Society. When approached to consider joining the board of directors it was a natural, “yes”.

What has volunteering taught you? I’ve gained perspective. The board looks after budgeting, financials, audit, real estate, and issues such as elder abuse and aging in place. It’s been very personally rewarding to be involved in helping provide seniors with comfortable safe accommodations where they are part of genuine communities.

Julie Dagenais

Director - Digital Engagement & Consumer Insights, Toronto, Ontario

Where do you volunteer? Pathways to Education. A few years ago, I participated in skills-based volunteering through Intact for Pathways and I’ve been involved in our Generosity in Action campaign for the past two years. Recently I joined a volunteering pilot with Pathways, where I am a mentor for a university student. Pathways to Education’s work is extremely important – and literally changes the life path and outcomes of the young people involved in their program and activities. This mentoring pilot was an opportunity to go further and create a direct connection with someone – and hopefully help!

What has volunteering taught you? In this case – listening and understanding is paramount. To be able to help in a meaningful way, you need to be able to understand where the person comes from and what challenges they are facing.

What would you say to someone who’s thinking about volunteering? Do it! You’ll find the time, and don’t underestimate the impact you’ll make just by showing up – you can make a difference!