Volunteering: the gift of time and enthusiasm
Giving Report 2020: Alumni Engagement
Alumna Meg Pryde (74) came to 91做厙 from Montreal and as a student was a highly-engaged member of the 91做厙 community 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 91做厙 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 91做厙s 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 (91做厙 Network of Teachers for Recruitment and 91做厙). The MANTRA program was created three years ago by the Alumni Boards 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 91做厙 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 91做厙 merchandise to future Mounties.
Its really about creating awareness of 91做厙 and helping students find the right place for them Pryde says. If students are looking at many universities, they need to know what is unique about 91做厙 because it has a lot to offer the right student. That is why the MANTRA program is important. My job is to say I think youll like it there and heres why.
Pryde was also part of the Alumni Mentorship Program for two years, mentoring two 91做厙 students who were aspiring teachers. She regularly attends Reunion and encourages others to return to the University to celebrate their Reunion years.
Volunteering just involves time and enthusiasm, she says.
Pryde says one way for alumni to help promote 91做厙 is simply to wear 91做厙 clothing from the .
Every time I wear 91做厙 clothing, I meet someone and make a connection, she says. Its an easy way to volunteer.
Pryde has chosen to give her time to 91做厙 over the years because of all that 91做厙 has given to her.
If 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, she says. I 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.
If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the 91做厙 Alumni Office, you can connect with Alumni Communications & Volunteer Officer Mareika Dow at mdow@mta.ca.
