We are thrilled to welcome Sonja to our team as Volunteer Manager. She has a message to share with all of our volunteer tutors:
Hi everyone!
Like you, I am also a ONE TO ONE Tutor. Each Tuesday, I take the #2 bus to Kerrisdale Elementary, where I meet with students in Grades 3 and 4 to assist them along in their reading journeys. And like you, I enjoy these sessions immensely: from giggling with them over a silly story, to listening to them successfully sound out a difficult word, to watching their eyes grow wide with the realization that the plural form of goose is not gooses, but geese!
And for all of you returning volunteers, like you, I was saddened to read in last June’s Tutor News that Liz was stepping down as Volunteer Manager to begin an exciting new position with Indigenous Services Canada. I really enjoyed working with Liz, finding her efficient, friendly and always helpful when answering my questions. With only fond memories of Liz, I know I have some big shoes to fill!
You may be wondering about how I made my way to ONE TO ONE. With a B.A. in Anthropology and Gender Studies and a PhD in psychology, I worked for many years in postsecondary education as an administrator and psychology instructor. Although this work was very rewarding, I decided to shift gears and move into the nonprofit sector. With a love of reading and as a strong advocate of literacy for all, I began volunteering at ONE TO ONE. This position dovetailed nicely with my regular volunteer work at the annual Vancouver International Writers Festival, as well as holiday staff positions at Kidsbooks and Book Warehouse. I also volunteer every July at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival because sometimes, you just gotta dance!
I look forward to working with all of you this year, to getting to know each of you, and to sharing in your joy of helping our students to read. If you have any questions at any time, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Even if you don’t have a question, you’re still welcome to write me! Until then, I thank you for the time and energy you give to serving as a ONE TO ONE volunteer. We are a proud organization, and we owe our success to you.
— Sonja