Volunteerism -- best platform for personal and professional development: Tuan Nguyen at TEDxUOttawa

Summary

The speaker shares his journey of becoming an 'accidental philanthropist' driven by volunteerism, inspired by his immigrant parents' values of community and gratitude. He highlights the impact of small acts of kindness and how volunteerism shaped his life, leading to the creation of the Commerce and Administration Student Charity Organization (CASCO). Through personal stories, he illustrates how giving back can lead to personal and professional growth. He encourages individuals and corporations to integrate volunteerism into their lives and development, emphasizing its role in building a compassionate and successful society.

Takeaways

• 😀 Volunteering is a form of kindness, involving personal time and resources to help others.
• 👍 The speaker's friends recognized his deep connection to volunteerism and community work, which inspired them to want to take action as well.
• 💪 The speaker describes himself as an 'accidental philanthropist,' having dedicated his life to volunteerism, raising millions for charity and building a global network.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker's desire to give back to the community stems from his immigrant family background and the support his family received during difficult times.
• 💖 Gratitude, instilled by his mother, and community involvement, inspired by his father, are key motivations for his lifelong volunteerism.
• 🎉 Volunteer efforts started in his youth, organizing fundraisers with friends and combining social events with charitable goals.
• 🏆 He co-founded a student charity organization (CASCO), which has raised over $1 million, providing students with opportunities to leverage business skills while giving back to the community.
• 🌟 Volunteering builds valuable professional skills such as leadership, confidence, efficiency, and creativity, making individuals stronger professionals.
• 🚴‍♂️ A personal story about a friend who organized mountain biking events to honor his late wife illustrates how small volunteer efforts can grow into something impactful.
• 💼 The speaker encourages companies to make volunteerism part of professional development, as it benefits both the community and the personal growth of professionals.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the presentation?

The presentation focuses on volunteerism and how it contributes to both personal growth and community development. The speaker shares his journey as an 'accidental philanthropist' and highlights how volunteering has shaped his life.

Why does the speaker refer to himself as an 'accidental philanthropist'?

The speaker calls himself an 'accidental philanthropist' because his lifelong dedication to volunteerism, which started informally, led him to raise millions for charity and build a global network, almost unintentionally.

What personal background does the speaker share about his early life?

The speaker shares that he was born in Vietnam and moved to Canada as an infant. His family struggled financially, relying on social aid, but his parents always expressed gratitude for the community's support, which instilled in him a desire to give back.

How did the speaker's parents influence his approach to community and volunteerism?

The speaker's father taught him the importance of community by recounting a story where strangers helped them when they were in need. His mother, on the other hand, instilled a sense of gratitude and positive energy, encouraging him to always appreciate the small things in life.

What was the speaker's first experience with volunteerism?

The speaker's first experience with volunteerism was when he was 14 years old. He and his friends raised $100 by playing music in the subway to support a friend's father who was battling cancer.

What is Casco, and why did the speaker start it?

Casco, the Commerce and Administration Student Charity Organization, was founded by the speaker and a friend to inspire future business leaders to be responsible by using their business skills to contribute to the community. It has since raised over $1 million through events.

How has volunteerism impacted the speaker’s professional development?

Volunteerism has allowed the speaker to connect with influential business leaders, build his network, and gain mentorship. It also helped him start his own businesses and become an advisor to companies on leadership and community engagement.

What lesson did the speaker learn from the story of his friend, Shawn?

The speaker learned that even small volunteer efforts, like Shawn's mountain biking event in honor of his late wife, can grow into something significant. In Shawn's case, the event raised $38,000 and helped him secure a job, reinforcing the idea that volunteering can have unexpected personal and professional benefits.

What is the speaker’s message to corporations regarding volunteerism?

The speaker encourages corporations not only to support volunteerism but to make it part of professional development. He believes that volunteering helps employees grow personally and professionally, making them more successful and positive contributors to the workplace.

What are some benefits of volunteerism mentioned by the speaker?

According to the speaker, volunteerism builds gratitude, creativity, confidence, leadership skills, and efficiency. It also increases positivity and courage, which can lead to both personal growth and professional success.