CVC-TC Member Spotlight: Samantha Sleeman

CVC-TC Member Spotlight is a quarterly member profile highlighting an individual in the field of corporate volunteerism with a compelling or interesting career story to share.

Samantha Sleeman

Samantha is currently the Volunteer Coordinator at RESOURCE, RESOURCE provides employment, training, chemical health, and mental health services to empower people to achieve greater personal, social, and economic success. She has been in her current role since 2007, but her passion for volunteerism and the desire to work with volunteers stems back to her years as a service-learner in college. Samantha attended Western Michigan University majoring in Human Resource Management, in her freshman year she attended a community fair, and was recruited to volunteer with children in an after schools program organized by one of the student organizations. She became part of the leadership and planning team to organize volunteers, plan activities, and even lead service trips to Chicago and New York City. She stayed active throughout her four years of college adding a Nonprofit Management minor and a Nonprofit Leadership Certificate to her docket – this led to an internship with a small nonprofit organizing volunteer activities and volunteers. She learned that her human resource major would fit perfectly with what she wanted to do: Organize volunteers to help meet community needs. After graduating in 2005, she relocated to Minneapolis for an Americorps*VISTA position as a Volunteer Coordinator for Employment Action Center, a division of RESOURCE. After Samantha had completed her term as a VISTA the agency’s president contacted her to inform her that the larger organization would be developing a centralized volunteer program and hiring a volunteer coordinator that she would have to train. She responded, “How about I just apply for the position?” And the rest is history.

Today, Samantha organizes individual and group volunteer opportunities at RESOURCE’s multiple locations throughout the metro. In addition to this she has also taken the initiative to start many large events to benefit the individuals and families that RESOURCE serves, such as the Back to School Drive, Winter Coat Drive, and Adopt a Family Project. Samantha also serves as the United Way Ambassador and leads RESOURCE’s United Way Employee Giving Campaign each fall.

• How have mentors played a role in your success?
  My mentors have touched my life in so many ways – they have helped me realize what I wanted to do with my life and where I wanted to go. I was touched most by the women who staffed the student organization I belonged to in college, they both happened to be Presbyterian Ministers but their idea of religion was different than the idea I had grown up with. They gave me opportunities to develop leadership skills. One of them even eventually officiated my wedding.
  
  
• Lessons learned or advise for others in the field?
  Persistence is key. And if you don’t ask, the answer is always no. I have learned that if you want something you need to be willing to ask and ask again.
  
  
• Favorite quote related to the field?
  “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
  
  
• Favorite website for inspiration?
  Pinterest – I also use Hands On and VolunteerMatch a lot to check out way other organizations are utilizing volunteers.