Stepping out of your comfort zone and into the community

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10 December 2014

Asha Sharda and Ashley Ho, two of United Way’s team of awesome Campaign Associates.

When Asha and Ashley heard that their respective employers, the City of Vancouver and CIBC, were looking to loan someone to United Way to help with workplace campaign fundraising, they jumped at the opportunity. For Asha, an active volunteer in her community and activist in her union, it was the excitement of something new that piqued her interest: “It sounded like it would take me out of my comfort zone and give me the chance to develop some new skills, as well as help me connect with the community.” Ashley, already a longtime United Way donor through CIBC’s workplace campaign, approached the Campaign Associate position with a mission: “I wanted to take a more in-depth look at what United Way does. I looked at it as a great opportunity to find out about the impact my contributions make.” While both were interested in the Campaign Associate program for different reasons, they both faced the same comfort zone-busting challenges from day one at United Way. Some were scary, others were fun—but all were invaluable growth experiences. “Doing public speaking engagements was really challenging for me,” admitted Asha. “Sometimes, you had to speak on the spot! I didn’t love it at first, but I knew it was really important for the workplaces to hear from someone at United Way. So I just had to learn to let go and to be more flexible.” For her, practice made perfect. It’s now a new skill she can add to her resume. Ashley had the special challenge of making many appearances as Care-y, United Way’s mascot. Surviving potential heat exhaustion, oversized platform shoes and aching muscles from dancing and posing for photos, she is the first to say that Care-y has impact. “He added a burst of energy. Offices lit up when they saw the mascot!” she said. But not all their tasks were on centre stage. Asha and Ashley both said their days include a lot of behind-the-scenes work like following up with accounts, coordinating details for kick-off events, booking speaking engagements and driving all over the Lower Mainland. The pace is fast, but neither Asha nor Ashley would have it any other way. In addition to specific skills like project management, public speaking and time management, both women say they will return to their respective organizations with a new attitude of flexibility, creative thinking and problem solving that will only enhance their jobs. Both are looking forward to bringing their refreshed perspectives to their organizations. Thanks to Asha, Ashley and the 36 other 2014 Campaign Associates and to the organizations who sponsored them, United Way continues to make incredible things happen in our community! If you’re considering becoming a Campaign Associate, Ashley offers these words of wisdom, “It will not be what you expect, but it will be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life. Take the opportunity to really make a difference.” Want to get involved in 2015?

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