Ringo Starr got by with a little help from his friends, but sometimes it takes the concerted effort of many
people to achieve great things.
At Lethbridge College, a volunteer program launched in September 2007 generates support from many individuals providing the institution with a little help from a lot of friends. In fact, in the first six months of the Totally Lethbridge College(TLC) program, campus volunteers registered more than 1,500 hours of service.
That’s real commitment.
Helping to lead the way is one of the college’s strongest public ambassadors, Rose Marie Litwin. Almost everyone who has taken a campus tour or participated in the Student for a Day program has met Litwin. In her role as advising and recruitment assistant, she is often the first person visitors associate with Lethbridge College.
Litwin was recognized this spring as the first recipient of the President’s Award for Volunteer Excellence during a special breakfast honouring campus volunteers for milestones they have reached. She reported 122 volunteer hours in the first six months of the program.
Lethbridge College President Tracy Edwards says Litwin is a person who can be counted on to pitch in for causes both big and small. That’s a trait she has exhibited throughout her 18 years at the college.
“Rose Marie has an extreme passion for Lethbridge College and every staff member, student and prospective student who steps on campus,” Edwards says. “As an institution we believe in the importance of putting our values into practice. Rose Marie’s commitment to the campus and the community is an admirable example of someone who not only lives the values, but encourages others to do the same through her exuberance and excitement for the task at hand.”
For her part, Litwin says she’s thrilled to receive the recognition, but it was never something she expected.
“Volunteering is just something I believe in doing,” she says. “Receiving the award is wonderful, but I don’t think it can be the motivation to help out.”
Litwin says her motivation comes from a desire to ensure people have a positive experience whenever they are on campus.
“We need to put our best foot forward every day. The college is an important part of the community and I think this importance can show in every interaction we have with both guests and colleagues.”
The TLC breakfast acknowledged 12 people in addition to Litwin. Individuals were honoured for achieving volunteer hour milestones of 25, 50 and 100 hours.
Six other people were recognized for coming close to the first milestone, which they should pass for the next awards presentation.
Having that many people show such a level of commitment to the college is amazing, says Steven Dyck, executive director of Advancement.
“College leadership really believes in a commitment to community, our people and our values,” Dyck says. “For a volunteer program to have that number of people being recognized after only six months shows that commitment is supported and embraced throughout different levels of the campus.”
Dyck notes the success of the program can also be attributed to Kelly Burke, who initiated the project as part of her yearlong Meloche Monnex Fellowship in the college’s Advancement Office and Alumni Relations.
“Kelly’s efforts in researching the TLC program, getting it launched and managing it have been outstanding,” he says. “Volunteers have made everything possible this past year as the college celebrates its 50th anniversary.”
Volunteers will continue to play a major role at Lethbridge College as the institution moves ahead into its next 50 years.
