Alright, at the risk of sounding like I’m humble-bragging, I had to write this post. I’m just too fired up not to.

See, last night I had the privilege of attending the St John Ambulance Annual General Meeting, where I was introduced as the newest member of the board of directors. It’s an unbelievably humbling and exciting opportunity for me to make a real difference in a community I care deeply about, with an organization whose values couldn’t be a better fit with my own. I was brought onto the team for my marketing and content expertise, and we have some incredibly complex and exciting work to begin doing in the near future.

That isn’t why I wanted to write today’s post, though. No, I was inspired to write because of the individuals who were recognized at last night’s Annual General Meeting.

Our Volunteer Awards

Out of all of the organizations I’ve volunteered with over the years so far, St. John Ambulance is one of the ones that puts the most thought into volunteer recognition. There are awards for many different categories, each of which is dedicated to recognizing volunteers who made a different kind of impact.

First, we had service awards, where I witnessed volunteers being recognized for their years of service to the organization, as well as for the hours they put in each year. It was jaw-dropping to learn that some members had volunteered over 1,000 hours of their own time in 2018 alone. That’s 20 hours a week!!

Next there was recognition for those who volunteer in the Therapy Dog Program, which is a fantastic service offered by St John Ambulance that sees therapy dogs and their owners spending quality time with seniors, children and other members of the community. As a proud dog owner and husband of a dog and wife who participate in the program, I can speak firsthand to the emotional and health benefits of spending quality time with a wonderful dog.

Then there was the recognition that came for instructors who teach our first aid training courses. As the individuals presenting the awards so eloquently put it, it can be tough being an instructor sometimes. It’s a role that offers little in the way of day-to-day feedback about the impact you’re having. Until this evening, that is, when our instructors were recognized for providing training to individuals who used it to save a life.

One of the most esteemed recognition categories of the evening was the life-saving award section, where volunteers were recognized for actually applying their training to save a life. Thanks to these two groups of people, there are people alive today who would not otherwise be here with us.

Take a second a let that sink in.

How many organizations can claim they provide training that saves lives? And what must it do to the individual who actually saves a life? I’m willing to bet you become a changed person as a result. I’m willing to bet you stand up a little straighter, hold yourself up just a little higher; and you have every right to.

Hearing all of these amazing stories, how can anyone not get pumped about joining the organization and gearing up to make an impact?

Wrapping it Up

I’m excited about what the future holds. Volunteering has always been a big part of my recipe for happiness, and it’s been lacking a little in my life lately, while my focus has been on other things. I can’t wait to get back to it though, especially in the capacity of a board member, where I’ll be able to use my skills to make a real and significant impact to the organization.

And I can’t think of a better organization to make that impact with than St. John Ambulance. We have an amazing team and an incredible group of volunteers who make a real difference in the community, and I’m honoured that I get to be a part of that going forward.