I heard about an interesting affliction that was spreading around Vancouver during the recent Olympic Winter Games.
FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out
I’ll admit it, I caught it. I was spending 30+hours per week volunteering with Opening and Closing Ceremonies, plus trying to work full time, and when I wasn’t working or volunteering I was trying to get some sleep. But I felt guilty that I wasn’t trying to get into every single pavillion and celebration site there was.
I tried to let it all go. I spent one afternoon biking around the city, taking pictures that gave evidence of love of country, sport, community, family. I saw my city through the eyes of a visitor, and it was beautiful. Stunning.
I think that I have been able to rid myself of FOMO, but I’ll admit I’m going to try my hardest to hit up the zip line between the Law Courts and the Vancouver Art Gallery tomorrow, and maybe the Mint to touch the medals.
I do have a bit of FOMO as I prepare for my trip through Central Asia that’s coming up in 5 weeks. Why would I leave this city at its brightest? Miss out on the entire summer? There are so many interesting tech and social media camps happening in Vancouver in May and June, and how could I miss ANSER after having such a great time last year? What if an amazing job opportunity comes up?
*sigh*
I’ll get over this FOMO soon enough. Travelling through Central Asia for over 5 months is an amazing opportunity, and I’m not going to miss out on adventure.
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Image/Gift Tag Credit: Sarah Parrott
Instead, will you donate to the Take a Hike Youth at Risk Foundation? I’ll match every dollar you donate to double your impact if you donate before Dec 25. Even $5 or $10 makes a difference.
Donate here.
I’m attending a fundraising moonlight snowshoe event for an at-risk youth high school program that combines academics with adventure-based learning, counselling, and community service. Due to the success of the program, the graduation rate of Take a Hike students is higher than the provincial average.
Find out about the event here.
Your donation will help fund a 4 day winter trek for 40 students. These trips prove to be very therapeutic learning experiences for the youth.
Read about the impacts of these trips on the youth here.
“While I was at Take a Hike, I made a decision to change, and to take life seriously; I strived to become a better person. Being given this gift – to be picked up off the ground when I was at a low point in my life –it seems fitting to now be in a role in society where I can help others.”
Andrew*
2004 Take a Hike graduate and
2009 scholarship recipient to become a paramedic
*name has been changed
Thanks for your support!
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Image Credit: Paul Caputo
New to the Vancouver nonprofit scene?
Young in age or young in career?
Here are some places for you to get yourself started.
- Careers
- Volunteering
- Networking
- Professional Development
- Learn More About the Sector
- Social Media
- Mentorship Programs
Got more ideas to add? Great – we’re just getting started! Comment and I’ll plug them into the post.
Careers
Volunteering
- GoVolunteer.ca -1000s of volunteer opportunities, searchable by location, activity, organization type, etc.
- VolWeb.ca – event volunteer opportunities – create an account and get notified of positions that match your interests
- CharityVillage.com – volunteer opportunities around Vancouver and across Canada
- Craigslist.org – user-posted volunteer opportunities
- Urbantastic – a focus on microvolunteering
- University sites (for current students/alumni):
Networking
- Net Tuesdays – a place to meet those interested in social media for social good and learn about current initiatives of local peeps
- Next Leaders Network – inspired by YNPN in the US, this network includes discounted workshops, newsletters, a private LinkedIn group and social events for the nonprofit sector’s next leaders
Professional Development
Learn More About the Sector (by browsing for free!)
Social Media
Mentorship Programs
Credit: This resource was inspired by Rosetta Thurman’s slideshare about nonprofit professionals in Washington, DC.
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