Inside Track

  •  
Stay up to date with all Pancreatic Cancer Action Network news.

Message From The Volunteer Advisory Council

We all are aware that COVID affected so much in our worlds – including the PanCAN volunteer base. So many of our volunteers are new to their role and many of our affiliates are rebuilding. And after all the trainings and meetings we are still asking ourselves so many questions. So, what do I do now? Who should I bring my questions or concerns to? Will I be successful here? I remember the overwhelming feelings I had when I first started volunteering with PanCAN. I watched as other affiliates were doing these grand things and I was just trying to keep up. It was hard and a bit deflating to be honest. So, I’d like to share with you a few things I’ve learned along the way as we head into November Awareness.
 
  1. Make sure you attend the trainings. And if you aren’t able to make them, a recording is usually available to you through Volunteer Central or your CRM.
  2. Communication, communication, communication!  Start having conversations with your team. Ask how you can contribute to November Awareness activities. Ask them about the history of your affiliate and what activities they may have had in the past.  What has worked and what didn’t work. There is something that everyone can do.
  3. Try something new.  New volunteers equal new ideas! Every affiliate can use your fresh mind and energy! Don’t be afraid to throw out those curve balls to get everyone thinking of something new. Sometimes is takes the new person to put a little wind in the sails!
  4. Don’t try to boil the ocean!! I know…. you might have already heard this one before. But it's worth repeating. Sometimes it's the small things that really make a difference.
  5. USE YOUR RESOURCES!  You can call on your CRMs, your VAC members and even VAC alumni can be available to you if you need some support. Anything from help with a PanCAN template, guidance for a desk-side meeting with a new sponsor, or you just want to bounce ideas off of veteran volunteer or hear from another volunteer in another affiliate.  We’re anxiously awaiting to hear from you and share all we’ve learned.

Finally, remember not to lose focus on what we are doing.  We each stepped up as volunteers for different reasons. But our mission remains the same – we are demanding better for everyone affected by this disease. And even if we get more ‘nos’ in our efforts, no rejection can take our hope and our passion to see us through to the end of pancreatic cancer.

“While it may seem small, the ripple effects of small things is extraordinary.” – Matt Bevin


                                                                                                                          – Written by Angeli Bateman, VAC Member

 
Posted by Paula Mukherjee on Nov 10, 2022 6:00 AM CST