Vancouver Advisory Group

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The Vancouver Advisory Group is made up of eight dedicated U of A grads who, after completing their degrees, all found themselves west of the Rockies for work. We caught up with five of them: Jonathan Sharun, '04 BCom; Priscilla Sharun, '03 BCom; Jeremy Shragge, '00 BSc, '06 MSc; Greg Stevens, '04 BA; and Margarita Orlov, '09 BCom. The advisory group works with the Office of Alumni Relations to organized events for grads in the Vancouver area. Whether it's organizing a fun casino night or the annual holiday brunch, it's the team behind the fun. We asked them why they stay involved and what it means to them to represent the U of A in Vancouver.

Why do you volunteer for the University of Alberta?

Priscilla: I find a lot of value in volunteering because it gives me much deeper connection to the organization and the people involved. Moving to Vancouver can be an intimidating experience, and I always look forward to the U of A alumni events where I can see familiar smiling faces from Edmonton, discuss how the Oilers are on the rebound and pat ourselves on the back for making the move to escape the snowy winters.

Jon: Giving back to the community has always been a major component of my life. The U of A presented me with so many life connections and opportunities. Volunteering through Vancouver continues to keep me connected and allows me to give back to this great institution.

Margarita: When I first moved to Vancouver, I started to attend the events put on by the U of A alumni group to meet new people in the city, and I ended up enjoying them so much I decided to start helping out the team. I really enjoy connecting with my fellow alumni. There are many wonderful things about Edmonton that you don't appreciate until you leave, and these volunteer opportunities make it so easy to reminisce about Alberta.

Greg: I volunteer because I like getting involved, making new friends and business connections, learning from other alumni and having fun with like-minded people.

Jeremy: I volunteer to stay connected with my alma mater and to maintain connections with other people who have shared similar experiences.

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

Priscilla: Volunteering is a way of giving back to causes or organizations you believe in. It also offers you an opportunity to maintain and build your network, as well as to learn new skills and gain experience as you develop in your career.

Jon: Networking is but one key element to volunteering. In the U of A advisory group, new grads can have the opportunity to learn new skills from other volunteers in a very safe environment.

Margarita: Volunteering never feels like work. It's just like hanging out with friends but with the added benefit of enriching someone's life by planning events and providing opportunities for others to connect. I think volunteering with the U of A is important because it allows you to continue to keep part of your Edmonton connection alive. It facilitates interactions that otherwise wouldn't happen in your everyday life. I noticed for me, volunteering is an energizing experience and I would much rather contribute my time in this way than consume something like TV or Internet, which drains me instead.

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

Greg: I hope that I can continue to grow as a community leader and utilize my skills to help others do the same.

Jeremy: I just like being involved and doing fun things.

What does volunteering mean to you?

Priscilla: To me, volunteering provides a balance. There are times in life where you are on the receiving end and your life is enriched because of the work volunteers have done. There are other times where you have skills or time to contribute back and enrich the lives of others. It is a give and take that all balances out to create more meaningful experiences and quality of life for all.

Jon: Volunteering means giving back. Enriching others' lives and hearing thanks makes everything worthwhile. I have met some amazing people that are now friends for life.

Margarita: Volunteering for me is all about creating meaningful relationships. Since in my work life I sit behind a computer, I look to volunteering to expand my social network, and to give back while I'm at it. I volunteer for an organization called Dress for Success as well as the U of A alumni group, and I always have so much fun at the volunteering sessions no matter what I'm doing. I get to learn about people that I wouldn't usually come across and hearing these life stories truly fascinates me.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Margarita: I encourage everyone to volunteer when they can, even if it's just a few hours a month or year. Take the time to find an association that speaks to you, whether it's about hobbies, professional organizations or helping out in your community - a little bit of help here and there goes a long way. And one of the most surprising aspects of volunteering is how easy it is to meet like-minded people that end up becoming your closest friends. Sometimes when you graduate it's tough to meet new people besides your work, but volunteering is a great facilitator of creating new relationships, with the added benefit of helping out in some way. Just give it a try!