San Francisco Advisory Group

Six energetic and passionate volunteers help keep the U of A presence alive in the San Francisco Bay Area, working with the Office of Alumni Relations to organize events to connect U of A grads. We caught up with five members of the San Francisco Advisory Group before one of their Alumni Mixer events in February: Sheetal Walsh, '94 BA; Donna Gamel, '78 BA; Ali Rizvi, '94 BSc, '98 BCom; Melynnie Rizvi, '95 BCom, '99 LLB; and Priya Saraswati, '97 BCom.

Why do you volunteer for the University of Alberta?

Sheetal: I volunteer for the U of A because it is a great institution that has given me a platform to make change in the world. It was only after I graduated and many years on that I realized how extremely important the university has been in my life, and for that I am very appreciative.

Donna: I grew up near the university, enjoyed the yearly open house and looked forward to being a student there someday. When I finally did attend, I thoroughly enjoyed the academic and social challenges. Now I feel it is my turn to encourage others to consider adding this positive growth experience to their lives.

Ali: I volunteer because I want to give back to a great institution that was a critical part of my development as a person and as a professional. It is easy to give back to a place that has provided me with so many fond memories.

Melynnie: It is a great way to stay connected to where I came from. I spent an important part of my life at the U of A and it is responsible for shaping me into the person I am, so volunteering is a great way to stay connected to this.

Priya: I volunteer for the U of A because it's a great way to keep up with what fellow alumni are doing, and the events are always interesting. Plus, I get to connect with U of A staff - many of whom I now call friends - from the Office of Alumni Relations and one of the deans!

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

Sheetal: It's important to give back and to keep in touch with developments in the community.

Donna: I think it makes you feel good to give back.

Ali: Volunteering is a form of activism. Activism is necessary to maintain and enhance the continued greatness of the university that has provided graduates with so many of the tools needed to be successful.

Melynnie: The U of A is such a great-quality school that produces quality grads in such a wide range of fields. Volunteering is not only a way to give back but also to build connections with grads from all different backgrounds.

Priya: I think it's important for grads to volunteer their time because U of A alumni are a vibrant and talented group spanning a diverse range of careers, so it's easy to stay connected within and outside of your industry.

What do you personally want to achieve by volunteering for the U of A?

Sheetal: I want to share my experiences that might assist others and I want to ensure we can bring together alumni in our various regions to promote the good work of our university.

Donna: I have no specific goals except to donate a little free time promoting the U of A when the opportunity arises.

Ali: The personal satisfaction of seeing the U of A be a world-renowned university. It needs to become an educational destination for more students, not just from Canada but abroad.

Melynnie: To maintain a connection with my Canadian colleagues, friends and alumni and to hear about all the great things the U of A is doing.

Priya: Personally, I want to extend the sense of community, as well as the reputation of our university, from Alberta to the San Francisco Bay Area.

What does volunteering mean to you?

Sheetal: It's an enjoyable way to give back.

Donna: I think sparing a little free time to volunteer for a cause or idea helps to make the world a better place.

Ali: It means doing something meaningful and giving back.

Melynnie: Volunteering is a way that I can show my appreciation to the U of A for the amazing opportunities it has allowed me to embrace.

Priya: To me, volunteering means carrying my U of A pride forward within and outside of the alumni community.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Sheetal: It's important that although we have graduated and moved on, we still participate in the community that helped shape us early in life.

Melynnie: I truly enjoyed my seven years at the U of A and very much appreciate all of its efforts to build its alumni community abroad. Thanks, U of A!