Elaine Gordon, '91 BSc, '95 MSc

Elaine Gordon, '91 BSc, '95 MSc, a recently retired botanist, puts her botany background to good use volunteering at the U of A's Vascular Plant Herbarium. She has been an active volunteer throughout her life and says it's a great way to meet new people - from inspiring children to teaching seniors about Edmonton's river valley.

Tell us how you stay connected to campus through volunteerism.

I volunteer with the Vascular Plant Herbarium (U of A Museums) one day a week. I am presently working on a project identifying prairie grassland plants that were donated to the herbarium. These plants will be included in the permanent collection, but the first step in curating is to make a positive identification.

I also have taught a couple of sessions through U School (a program that introduces grades 4 to 9 students to the university), which I find very rewarding. Most people have some vague idea that plants are living beings, but they don't realize that plants have the same needs and requirements as humans and other animals.

Why do you think it's important for grads to volunteer their time?

Not all grads have the time to volunteer, but for young grads just starting out in their fields, it's a great opportunity to gain practical experience and meet other people in your field. It looks good on a curriculum vitae, too.

Do you volunteer for other organizations? Where?

I have always volunteered in some capacity. When my children were small, I was area chair for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Liver Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society. Later I was Block Parent chair, worked with the City of Edmonton and the school board to build a playground, acted as chair of our elementary school parents advisory committee, managed and helped coach girls softball teams, organized talent shows and worked in several other capacities for our community league.

I also volunteer from time to time with Nature Alberta. Presently, they are putting together a book on Alberta orchids, and I am helping with this project. Because I have worked with several youth groups on field trips in Edmonton's river valley, I have put together a simplified method of plant identification for the most common plants. While it's not published, I do give out handouts when needed. I've also given talks and sessions in some junior high and elementary schools. Most teachers don't have the time to really understand plants, and lesson preparation is terribly time consuming for them. I have made up several slide shows that I use to help out.

What impact has volunteering had on you? On others?

Volunteering is a win-win situation. I give of my time but feel that I probably get more from my time at the herbarium: getting out of the house, feeling that I can make a positive contribution, honing my plant ID skills, interacting with other "plant" people. As an undergrad, I spent many, many hours in the herbarium and I am so grateful that this facility was available.

What advice would you give to people looking to volunteer?

Just do it! Age is not a limiting factor. When my son and daughter were "tweens," I had them volunteer every summer. Even sending kids to camp occupies only a couple of weeks of their summer holidays. My daughter volunteered as an assistant at our local long-term care hospital, and my son helped with the City of Edmonton Green Shack program. They not only formed strong bonds with co-workers (and patients in my daughter's case), but when they were old enough to work for a salary, they had some experience they could include on their resumes that showed not only were they reliable workers, but they were also willing to give their time. And don't forget that those references are invaluable.

On average, how many hours a month do you volunteer?

About 24 hours. I get in to the university around 8:30 a.m. every Wednesday and work until 2:30 or 3 p.m. depending on when my husband comes to pick me up. It usually works out to be 6 to 6½ hours per week.

Share a story or a memory from your time volunteering.

I think my favourite memories are all related to the look of wonder children get when they see a plant embryo for the first time or understand the basics of photosynthesis. One Grade 4 boy was incredulous to learn that the oxygen in our atmosphere actually comes from water inside plants. As he said: "But we would drown in water and yet we need the oxygen to breathe … and that oxygen comes from water!" Our world is full of miracles like this, and that little boy worded it so perfectly.