When Maureen McGuigan joined the volunteer management committee in January 2022, she never dreamed that helping to make the VolunteerConnect spreadsheet more user friendly would lead to her becoming an Editors Canada featured volunteer herself. “I feel overwhelmed at being nominated,” Maureen says, “but I think it’s important that potential volunteers see that you don’t have to give a huge amount of time or be involved for years and years to have an impact.”
Maureen joined Editors British Columbia in November 2020. A self-described “prairie girl on the West Coast,” Maureen holds a BA in economics and is completing Simon Fraser University’s Editing Certificate. She currently works as a project manager, document controller and editor for a professional services firm. Although her favourite projects involve complex reports or documents, she’s just as happy “when a colleague trusts me to proofread an email or help them make sure their English is proper because it’s not their first (or third) language.”
In addition to the volunteer management committee, Maureen volunteers with the website task force, archiving and porting content to prepare for the association’s new website. This volunteer position is a great fit for Maureen, who would like to freelance with local small businesses, making sure their websites, blogs and other marketing copy are as clean as possible.
A mom to two young sons and dog mom to a Maltese-Poodle cross, Maureen enjoys travel, music, knitting and jigsaw puzzling in addition to volunteering. “Everyone I’ve met at Editors Canada has been incredibly supportive and kind,” she says. “Someone described our volunteers and office staff as the least “political” group they had ever volunteered with. There are no egos, and everyone just wants to help. I wholeheartedly agree.”
The featured volunteer recognizes the contributions of our dedicated people who keep Editors Canada going. Volunteers are the backbone of the association, and we are grateful for the many members and affiliates who answer the call when help is needed.
Want to make a difference in your association? Find out more about volunteering for Editors Canada.
~S. Robin Larin