There are many ways we give back to our communities – and for one in five New Zealanders, that takes the form of volunteering.
For IAG’s Tania Morgan-Smith, there were many reasons to volunteer with Springboard Trust. A labour of love, a tangible way to give back, a way to put her strategic expertise to use for the good of others.
Also, a naturally curious parent, she was thrilled to get a look at how principals worked day-to-day.
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Coming together
Initially, Tania thought Springboard Trust was too good to be true.
“I was referred by a work colleague who’d been a Capacity Partner (CP) the year before, and thought I would love it.”
“But from some initial social research, I couldn’t find anyone who had heard of Springboard. Once I found one of our Auckland team volunteered as a facilitator and spoke to them, I understood – and I couldn’t wait to start.”
“I loved that it was separate to the Ministry, and everyone I ended up speaking to about the work said the relationship they built with their principal was amazing.”
With 10 years of leadership experience, a background in coaching and a high dose of natural inquisitiveness and optimism, Tania leapt at the opportunity to partner with a principal.
“At a lot of organisations you do a volunteer day each year – but with IAG happy to have me work with Springboard Trust, I felt like this was a much longer-lasting way to give back.”