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BVU's GIVE Program Testimonials

As Chair of the External Volunteer Committee at Travelers Insurance in Hunt Valley, MD, I have gained a great appreciation for the nonprofit organizations in our community - especially those supporting arts and education. After being fortunate enough to join BVU’s GIVE Class of 2010 I was given countless opportunities not only to learn more about issues facing my community, but to discover my personal passion and to find myself through volunteerism. Being introduced to organizations where I could participate in their mission in a very “hands-on” way, e.g. Great Kids Farm and Civic Works, has been an invaluable experience! I especially love volunteering in group projects which provide a direct and positive impact on my community. While the impact of the projects is tangible and quantifiable, the rewarding feeling of contributing to my community is not something that cannot be measured.

Thomasina Poirot

Having grown up in Baltimore and attended the University of Maryland I was always aware of the social concerns plaguing our community. I knew I wanted to give back but I never knew where to begin until I learned about BVU's GIVE Program. After joining the GIVE Advisory Board upon the recommendation of a colleague of mine, I found it truly refreshing to connect with a group of devoted and like-minded young professionals who share my passion for making a positive difference in Baltimore. Learning and volunteering with such a talented and driven team of future civic leaders constantly inspires me to grow both personally and professionally. A great example of the team spirit and positive energy that makes the GIVE Program so unique is our participation as Team Leaders for BVU's Elf Night at the Salvation Army. The energy in the room as we sorted and boxed thousands of toys for underprivileged children was palpable and infectious. I feel strongly that just like the energy in the air during Elf Night, once people see how great everyone in the GIVE Program and at BVU are they will automatically be drawn to it.

Jamie Daue

Many thanks for the wonderful panel and networking session in May. It was my first GIVE event and well worth the early morning treck up to Hunt Valley. The insights shared by the panelists and thoughtful moderation will be most useful- professionally and personally. Kudos to you all and sincere thanks for your work for our community.

Kim Snipes

I had an awesome time yesterday as well as am really happy to be granted opportunities such as these to give back. I was sharing with a couple of folks during yesterday’s event, serving as a GIVE class member has definitely helped me to establish greater connections in Baltimore as well as really start making the impact I’d like to make as a volunteer…I really see myself making the impact that I set out to achieve – on both ends of the volunteer spectrum (actual volunteering and supporting well deserving non-profit organizations). So many thanks to you and your colleagues for developing such an opportunity!.

Shreeta Quantano

What a great turn out last night and what a great event! I met so many new people and reconnected with some old ones… including people I would not expect to see there. Thank you Rachel and Lisa for all of your hard work and everyone else from BVU and the closest supporters for putting your best foot forward to making this program a success.

Nina Bankova

Early on I understood the importance of giving back to my community, but only now am I at a point in my life where I can fully appreciate the experiences. One of the ways I give back is through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As a wish-granter for the organization, I am given the opportunity to play a small role in bringing joy to a child who has had a difficult childhood. Having recently taken a position at Feats, Inc., an event and experience marketing agency based in Baltimore, I have been exposed to other ways to get involved in my community, most notably, with BVU’s GIVE Class of 2010. The GIVE Program affords me exposure to a variety of outlets for community engagement while connecting me with like-minded young professionals who are also balancing the challenges of developing their careers. This group has the potential to be Baltimore’s next civic leaders and it’s something I want to be a part of it. As a new mother, I am constantly inspired to be a good role model for my beautiful little girl. Knowing that someday she will understand who I am, what I do, my values, integrity and morals, forces me to be the best role model that I can be.

Tamara Chumley

I was motivated to get involved with BVU’s volunteer events and programming by my strong desire to meet like-minded people who share my values and vision for bettering our community. I have always found it difficult to find people willing to listen to new ideas and keep an open mind about my unique worldview. Now that I have joined the GIVE Class of 2010 I am so excited to have met other open-minded civic leaders who really want to change our community and, eventually, our world. Volunteering is the perfect way to learn more about what our community wants and needs. Volunteering as a part of the GIVE classmates group is especially inspirational. I strongly believe that once you are part of a group working towards a common goal our weaknesses are negated. A true team capitalizes on its members’ strengths, making their weaknesses irrelevant (I am very inspired by Dr. Stephen Covey’s views on the powers of effective leadership!) With the many unique perspectives and individual strengths of the GIVE Class of 2010 classmates, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.

Matt Karlin

Volunteering has always played an important role in my life and through the years, I have enjoyed giving my time and talent to assist organizations fighting for worthy causes. However, it wasn't until I was introduced to BVU and BVU's Volunteer Central that I discovered how my engagement in the community can become more focused and meaningful. As a direct result of my engagement with BVU, I am now part of my employer's volunteer committee: M&T Bank's Community Council. M&T's Community Council was developed to increase the level of employee volunteerism and provide support for employees to engage in projects that meet the M&T's commitment to invest in the communities we serve. Participating in the employee volunteer committee is a natural extension of what I do on a daily basis at work. As a Relationship Manager for M&T Bank's Business Banking Group, I have gained extensive knowledge of the community while working with business owners to meet their companies' financial needs and goals. Serving in M&T's Community Council is truly an honor because it has allowed me to play an important role in shaping the community engagement initiatives of my employer and the volunteer engagement of my co-workers. Thanks to BVU, I have become a more active volunteer and this has made me appreciate even further the personal and professional benefits of volunteerism.

Bradley Hecht

GIVE. This is a word that I have come to incorporate into my every day life. My friends, family and colleagues have grown to know me as GIVE. In the past, I’ve volunteered for the National Foundation for Teaching Education (NFTE), Towson University and the Priceless Gown Project (PGP), but it wasn’t until GIVE (Getting Involved in Volunteer Experiences), that I truly understood the meaning of a volunteer. In the summer of 2008, I was asked to sit in on a focus group that would help identify obstacles young professionals are faced with when finding volunteer opportunities and board placement. This was the beginning of an amazing journey. From that point forward, I’ve been actively serving as Chair of GIVE, a first year project under Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU). We assist young professionals in finding non-profit opportunities through days of service, networking events and learning seminars. The purpose of GIVE is to place talented civic leaders in a non-profit they can give to for years to come, whether it’s through building houses, helping children or serving on a non-profit Board of Directors. I am extremely fortunate to have been presented with this opportunity as it has allowed me to meet with so many talented individuals and work closely with the brilliant staff at BVU.

Lisa Michocki

BVU's GIVE is a completely different program than other young professional organizations I've been involved with.  Just one example is the quality of the networking opportunities and contacts.  Those who attend the events are looking to better their communities and themselves, and you are able to form relationships with true leaders of Baltimore.  The networking events do not lead to a simple exchange of business cards, but an exchange of ideas, passion, and commitment.

Christine Tachovsky
Yaffe & Company

I have been a long time admirer of Business Volunteers Unlimited and the high caliber of educational training they provided to me, my peers and our non-profit clients. It was with great joy, that after years of planning, the GIVE Program was launched. This fulfills a needed gap between the lack of knowledge about volunteerism young professionals have versus their desire to give back. GIVE utilizes the talents of some of the smartest, innate leaders in the Baltimore region. It is widely know that if you assemble a team of sharp, confident people, great things will happen. This is clearly demonstrated by GIVE.

Andrew Rose
Director of Marketing and Business Development
Naden/Lean, LLC