Improving your Professional Skillset with MPI Toronto – You can Benefit from Being Involved

As a 30+ year member of MPI Toronto, I have always believed you make your best connections by being involved with a Chapter committee. I have served on an MPI committee every year since 1990, except the year I was the Chapter President, and have developed a huge circle of professional friends. I also found MPI a safe environment to try new things and develop my skills. I usually volunteered with a committee where I could try things I did not get to do in my job and where I could learn from the other volunteers. Do other members think volunteering has helped their careers?

Brenda Perrin, the current Director of Communications, says, “I joined at the same time I started my new role at the Fredericton Convention Centre – roughly 3½ months before the world turned sideways. As a volunteer, I've been able to build new skills and flex underutilized ones, and I love feeling like I'm part of something bigger than just myself. I've been so grateful for the camaraderie, connections, and relationships built throughout my time as a member, and I've learned so much from so many.”

Pat Cluett, a longtime member, agrees “volunteering gives you the opportunity to work closely with industry peers and expand your network and experience.”

We all know our lives are busy and there is not enough time in the day. Volunteering will let you interact with other professionals one-on-one and build relationships that you don’t have an opportunity to do at a short event or PD session. It will allow you to develop new skills and improve existing skills in a safe and friendly environment. Talk to any volunteer and you should hear the same things. 

Interested? Click here for further details.

Les Selby | Author
Chair | MPI Toronto Communications Committee