What I learned from Community service and Blogging

Part 1: Community service learning

I didn’t have to search for a long time to know with which organization I’d like to work with. I’ve had a colleague whose help and advice were of particular value to me when I just moved into Granby from Montreal. He used to tell me about the role played by SERY in facilitating immigrants’ integration in the town. Since then, the name of the organization has always been somewhere in my heart. So, when my teacher told us about volunteering, I didn’t hesitate to contact them. I finally got an appointment with the volunteer coordinator, and after having answered a couple of questions, I was part of the team. Hopefully, they’re not far from my school.

Regional Ethnic Solidarity opposite Maxi

They’re situated at 369, rue St Jacques in Granby. SERY is an organization whose main reason for being is the immigrant. Respect for difference is one their core values. They have as motto; Seek to understand rather than judge. SERY aims at ensuring that immigrants make informed choices by themselves and sensitize them on the fact that they are responsible for their commitments. Furthermore, one of their main goals is to help the immigrants develop their autonomy in Quebec society. For this to be a reality, SERY helps them acquire the tools they need so they can make the most of the resources at their disposition to understand and function in this complex society. As I was going through the guide they gave me, I discovered they have valued practical tasks and services they offer to immigrants. Some of them include; Francisation (French lessons), Help for assignments, Sociocultural activities, Interpretation and medical transport support within the town or outside. Most often, they organise sociocultural events so that people can learn via intercultural interactions and cultural presentations.

SERY Community at Daniel Johnson Parc (Lac Boivin)

ORIGINES FESTIVAL at Granby Palace

During my interview with the volunteer coordinator, she took note of my profile and desires. We finally agreed that the best for me was to offer services in relation to my profile and field of study. Hopefully, there are a couple of migrants who have some difficulties with tech tools. As an IT technician, that was great greener pastures for me. Few days later, the coordinator got me in touch with a lady who had some difficulties in accessing her email account and some other challenges with computers and operating systems in general. Henceforth, our first class was scheduled in which I had to teach her some sort of an initiation to Computer Science and/or information technology. In the nutshell, I can say that was a pretty cool and satisfactory experience. It’s unfortunate that we live in a society where most people take things for granted. As such, many fail to be grateful for the knowledge, skills, tools, resources and opportunities at their disposal. Teaching the basics of IT to a person who didn’t know how to perform a double click taught me several lessons about life. What seems to be as easy as ABC for us can be as hard as cracking a rock for others. And when we’re called to help such people, it demands a certain level of patience and humility. You can’t imagine how glad I am when I see the smile on the face of my student after he/she has learnt something new from me. It’s such a gratifying experience to transmit knowledge and make people happy. I mean, you even forget the fact that you aren’t paid for doing what you do. But the satisfaction of your trainees/students keeps you motivated.

SERY community ensures you're welcomed in a heartwarming fashion

Part 2: Blogging

Obviously, I was among those who were blogging for their first time. I mean, there is no shame to that, right? There is a popular proverb I my home town that says: “Never underestimate the small beginnings!” The proverb helped me to successfully complete my first blog, as it was running in my subconscious mind. The experience was a great one, and I really loved it. It puts some sort of a cool pressure on us to share our experiences in a more structured and formal way. By so doing, more people get to know about us, our dreams and passions in life. And who knows? A professional partnership can be initiated via such platforms. As far as WIX is concerned, I got to know about it via their countless advertisements that run in my YouTube videos daily. I really didn’t doubt the efficiency of the platform because of the testimonials of the huge number of individuals using it. As I shared in my first blog, I’ve been using shopify platform for my E-Commerce store, but that wasn’t the best choice now because the platform is not free.

Part 3: Video

We are an organization that produces cinema festivals in Eastern Township. Our main goal is to make known and value local youth talents in our community. During these events, we also aim at drawing the attention of considerably large numbers of people in our localities and the world in general. The more smiles we can put on faces, the more grateful and satisfied we are. After viewing the video about the Impractical jokers’ project proposal to the Mount Pleasant community planning board, my confidence about pitching our project idea has been duplicated. I’m left with the feeling and assurance that the mayor will not only be amazed by our project, but he will equally approve it. This may sound paradoxical, given that applicant’s project was rejected in the video. In my opinion, a convincing pitch should answer the five fundamental questions that make up the core of any project or business. I.e. What? Why? Where? How? And When? The “What?” question refers to the product or service you want to offer. In this case, the applicant had a product, but the reaction of the board shows it wasn’t a good one at all. While, the “Why?” question refers to the reason you want to offer the service or product. Is there a real need for it? Once more, the board’s reaction, mostly constituted of seniors shows there is no real need for such a service. The “Where” question refers to the location of the product/service in relation to its market. “Beef Gristle Mill” is no specific location at all, and no one in the board knows about such a place simply because it’s fake. The “How?” question refers to the way in which your product/service will be implemented and/or manufactured. How are you going to reach your target market (customers)? The applicant’s presentation gives no idea about this. Finally, the “When?” question refers to the stage in which you are in the project. Have you started offering your services, selling your products? If yes, since when? If no, then when? The applicant says he’s only at the level of presentation. This shows that no prior steps were taken towards the fulfilment of the project. This is really a sad situation because how can his first step be to seek for approval? Aside from the funny side of the video, I’m optimistic because hopefully, I learnt from his mistakes and our project answers those core questions.