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Karen Caggiano, PurpleStride Chair, Phoenix Affiliate
What is your best piece of advice for new volunteers in leadership roles?
What one thing is your affiliate working on that is exciting you or that you would like to share with your fellow volunteer leaders in other affiliates?
We are bringing back our in-person connection to survivors, as well as with volunteers and those just interested in learning more about how they can help PanCAN advance our goals. On June 5th we’ll be having a breakfast for National Cancer Survivors Day and we’ve started scheduling our Affiliate meetings in-person at the Cancer Support Community Center. PurpleStride was a great way to kick off in-person events and made us realize how much we valued time together!
How would you describe your PanCAN volunteer community?
To be honest, I’d say we are in transition. We have some long-time volunteers who have recently moved/are moving out of the area, new folks that are moving in (such is the case with Arizona!) and more folks that are just learning about PanCAN through events like PurpleStride and our social media presence. Part of my role as a leader is to help every volunteer feel that they can contribute in a way that works for them. I remember the first Affiliate meeting I went to after several years of volunteering at PurpleStride and realized there were so many different ways to get involved. It was great to be welcomed into the team of folks who share a common passion for the cause and I want to keep passing that along!
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
Growing up I was a pre-professional ballerina and toured with a youth ballet company in Taiwan one summer. That also inspired my love for food, travel and culture! I’m looking forward to getting back to world travel!
I’d say two things: first, find the best ways to make your team members, who are also volunteering, feel included and valued for their contributions. Simply reserving a spot on a planning meeting agenda for each person is an easy way to show they are important to the project’s success. Or perhaps meeting with them 1:1 to brainstorm ideas or work through details of the project plan if they can’t make it to team meetings. That leads to the second piece of taking advantage of our past two years’ technology developments that make collaboration easier. In Phoenix, we are pretty geographically dispersed and saving 30-45 minutes of drive time by having a zoom meeting for planning makes it easier for some to participate, even if for part of the planning meeting. Also, keeping all files and notes on google drives lets others work on details, like the PanCAN PurpleStride Opening Ceremony Script, on their own time but see changes others have suggested. The technology can be a bit daunting, so be patient and perhaps offer training for your key committee members!
What one thing is your affiliate working on that is exciting you or that you would like to share with your fellow volunteer leaders in other affiliates?
We are bringing back our in-person connection to survivors, as well as with volunteers and those just interested in learning more about how they can help PanCAN advance our goals. On June 5th we’ll be having a breakfast for National Cancer Survivors Day and we’ve started scheduling our Affiliate meetings in-person at the Cancer Support Community Center. PurpleStride was a great way to kick off in-person events and made us realize how much we valued time together!
How would you describe your PanCAN volunteer community?
To be honest, I’d say we are in transition. We have some long-time volunteers who have recently moved/are moving out of the area, new folks that are moving in (such is the case with Arizona!) and more folks that are just learning about PanCAN through events like PurpleStride and our social media presence. Part of my role as a leader is to help every volunteer feel that they can contribute in a way that works for them. I remember the first Affiliate meeting I went to after several years of volunteering at PurpleStride and realized there were so many different ways to get involved. It was great to be welcomed into the team of folks who share a common passion for the cause and I want to keep passing that along!
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
Growing up I was a pre-professional ballerina and toured with a youth ballet company in Taiwan one summer. That also inspired my love for food, travel and culture! I’m looking forward to getting back to world travel!
