One year at United Way
There was a short period last year when I didn't know what I was going to do with my life. It only lasted a couple of days, but it was rather unsettling. Then I got the formal offer to come and work at the United Way. One year ago today, I walked into The Redpoll Centre for the first time in my new role as Director of Communications and Community Impact.
"It was the best professional decision of my life," I said to the folks gathered in the Keyano Recital Theatre for the Community Building Awards. It really was.
If life was a series of acts, it feels like I'm well into my second. So much has changed. So much has been unexpected.
In the 1980s, I went on an unplanned visit to a broadcasting school. It led to a 10-year career in radio.
An opportunity presented itself out of the blue to apply for a publicist job at Keyano Theatre. At the time, it meant a $6,000 cut in salary, but it proved to be a great decision and resulted in a rewarding 15-year career at Keyano.
Just over one year ago, I painted a mural of Elsie Yanik on an exterior wall of my shop (now studio) facing the grassy right-of-way between our street and the next. It began my evolution to "artist"; it has been the biggest shock and delight of my life. Each day, I get requests to do portraits or participate as a visual artist in fundraising endeavours.
The United Way has been a tremendous catalyst for me, as have the people I get to work with on a day-to-day basis. The volunteers who work on our board and workplace campaigns, and the good people who work with agencies, all have been important influences on this incredible journey. I am grateful to them all.
"It was the best professional decision of my life," I said to the folks gathered in the Keyano Recital Theatre for the Community Building Awards. It really was.
If life was a series of acts, it feels like I'm well into my second. So much has changed. So much has been unexpected.
In the 1980s, I went on an unplanned visit to a broadcasting school. It led to a 10-year career in radio.
An opportunity presented itself out of the blue to apply for a publicist job at Keyano Theatre. At the time, it meant a $6,000 cut in salary, but it proved to be a great decision and resulted in a rewarding 15-year career at Keyano.
Just over one year ago, I painted a mural of Elsie Yanik on an exterior wall of my shop (now studio) facing the grassy right-of-way between our street and the next. It began my evolution to "artist"; it has been the biggest shock and delight of my life. Each day, I get requests to do portraits or participate as a visual artist in fundraising endeavours.
The United Way has been a tremendous catalyst for me, as have the people I get to work with on a day-to-day basis. The volunteers who work on our board and workplace campaigns, and the good people who work with agencies, all have been important influences on this incredible journey. I am grateful to them all.
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