Desperately missing Susan
Eighteen years of service is a long time in these days of uncertainty, and Susan’s years of service have had an impact on more than 1,500 volunteers.
Susan Ferguson started her journey with the Canadian Diabetes Association as a receptionist in April 1991. “I was married and working to put my husband through school at the age of 19. I had previously been working as a receptionist for a law firm. On my first day at the Canadian Diabetes Association, I knew that this was exactly the right place for me,” she remembers. “I loved that I was working for ‘a cause’ rather than putting money in someone’s pocket. It gave me an incredible sense of satisfaction. I had never experienced volunteerism before. I quickly came to see the value and potential of volunteers and to appreciate what they accomplish.”
Through the years, Susan devoted her talents to the development of volunteer resources: recruiting, training, supporting and celebrating those who give their time and efforts so freely. “Many of the national volunteer resources were developed through Susan’s involvement, including the National Volunteer Management Training Programs, which are used throughout the Association,” says Donna Van Walleghem, Regional Director for Vancouver Coastal. In 2002, Susan took on the role of Leader, Community and Volunteer Services, a move that reflected the changing environment and requirements of the Association.
Soon to be a resident of the town of Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast (home of the Association’s children’s summer camp, Camp Kakhamela), Susan reflects on how the Association has changed through the years. “The Canadian Diabetes Association has become much more of a business model. I appreciate the trust and the support the Association has given me through my training in volunteer management.
“It has been a wonderful journey of 18 years,” she adds. “I will cherish the times we had fun and enjoyed the company of our colleagues and volunteers who have had such an impact on people affected by diabetes. Many of our volunteers have become health professionals, often saying, in hindsight, that their volunteer work at the Canadian Diabetes Association was instrumental in their career decisions. I feel proud to have been a part of that process.”
The Association and many volunteers will pay tribute to Susan Ferguson’s many contributions at the Regional Annual Meeting. After all, her community contributions and impact on more than 1,500 volunteers is worth celebrating. We wish her a happy retirement. She will be missed.
Contact your regional office of the Canadian Diabetes Association to find out how you can help improve the lives of people living with diabetes.