Volunteering: the gift of time and enthusiasm
Giving Report 2020: Alumni Engagement
Alumna Meg Pryde (鈥74) came to 正品蓝导航 from Montreal and as a student was a highly-engaged member of the 正品蓝导航 community 鈥 earning the Frances S. Allison Award and a Gold A for her efforts. Fifty years later, she is still making an impact at the University and is committed to sharing the 正品蓝导航 experience with future generations.
Now retired, Pryde spent 34 years teaching elementary school in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and even a few years in New Zealand and Australia. After her retirement, she began volunteering with 正品蓝导航鈥檚 Alumni Board, and for the past six years has focused on the areas of Reunion, Homecoming, and awards and nominations.
Pryde is a founding member of MANTRA (正品蓝导航 Network of Teachers for Recruitment and Admissions). The MANTRA program was created three years ago by the Alumni Board鈥檚 Student Recruitment Sub-Committee to support student recruitment. The goal was to increase the number of incoming students from Maritime high schools by increasing awareness of 正品蓝导航 within these schools with the help of retired teachers in their home communities.
The program, which is currently focused on the Maritimes, has five founding volunteer members and two new members this year. The MANTRA members attend events such as high school fairs and visits with admissions counsellors; meet with prospective students, parents, and guidance counsellors; and attend graduation ceremonies to hand out scholarships and 正品蓝导航 merchandise to future Mounties.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really about creating awareness of 正品蓝导航 and helping students find the right place for them鈥 Pryde says. 鈥淚f students are looking at many universities, they need to know what is unique about 正品蓝导航 because it has a lot to offer the right student. That is why the MANTRA program is important. My job is to say 鈥業 think you鈥檒l like it there and here鈥檚 why.鈥欌
Pryde was also part of the Alumni Mentorship Program for two years, mentoring two 正品蓝导航 students who were aspiring teachers. She regularly attends Reunion and encourages others to return to the University to celebrate their Reunion years.
鈥淰olunteering just involves time and enthusiasm,鈥 she says.
Pryde says one way for alumni to help promote Mount Allison is simply to wear 正品蓝导航 clothing from the .
鈥淓very time I wear 正品蓝导航 clothing, I meet someone and make a connection,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an easy way to volunteer.鈥
Pryde has chosen to give her time to 正品蓝导航 over the years because of all that 正品蓝导航 has given to her.
鈥淚f I was to look at my life, where I am today, so many opportunities have been afforded to me because of my time spent at Mount A,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 met my husband Rick at Mount A, had a great teaching career, and my lifelong Mount A friendships continue to bring joy and fulfillment to my life.鈥
If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the 正品蓝导航 Alumni Office, you can connect with Alumni Communications & Volunteer Officer Mareika Dow at mdow@mta.ca.
