National Volunteer Week 17-23 May 2021: Our Volunteers 2

Photo (L -R, Top): Erin, Sophie Hood, Brenda Pullen (L-R,Mid) Leah Pritchard, (L-R Bottom) Carmen Cordova Rodriguez, Brooke Lloyd, Samantha Whillas, not pictured Shefali

Connecting Up would like to introduce and thank our wonderful volunteers who work to provide information and services to communities, organisations and councils across the state.

Erin
Erin has background in Business Administration at TAFE SA and bookkeeping, and has been a volunteer with Connecting Up between her studies since November 2017. During this time she has worked on updating the SAcommunity directory, collated data, developed an instructional video for services to create an account and has been working on collating an update to the SAcommunity volunteer video, to accommodate new volunteer stories. In the future, Erin hopes to gain employment working in accounts and administration. See Erin's story here.

Editors note: We are pleased to announce that Erin transitioned into a full-time role in a government administration role in February 2022. Congratulations Erin!

Sophie Hood
Sophie is a long-term volunteer who has been a part of Connecting Up for over four years since January 2017 whilst studying Mechatronic Engineering. She has worked on updating listings in the SAcommunity database, created SAcommunity training processes in visio and infographics in Canva, an instructional video in Camtasia and volunteer modules in Better Impact. Recently she has begun utilising Power BI as part of the council data analysis group with volunteers Stathis and Hang. Sophie can initiate or pick up any tech tools or project and run with it and starts her time at SAcommunity with 'what can I do now that is most valuable for the program', which is inspired.  

Sophie has enjoyed being a part of the team over the years during her university studies, taking part in events such as an innovative co-design workshop with community services with our former innovation coordinator, meeting up with mentor Tina Vuong, Capability Building Coordinator. Having recently completed her studies for graduation, she aims to gain employment in project management. See Sophie's story here. 

Editors Note: We are glad to report that Sophie transitioned part-time into an engineering firm in August 2021 to a role that became a full time position in February 2022. It was a joy to provide a reference for her and to have her visit Connecting Up Inc. and let us know how her new role is progressing - We always enjoy hearing from our former volunteers. Well done Sophie.

Brenda Pullen
Brenda has recently joined the team here at Connecting Up in March 2021, and comes from a business administration background, having studied a Certificate III in Business Administration at TAFE SA. 
 

Brenda is enjoying being a part of the volunteer team and the friendly and welcoming environment at the office. Having recently completed her training, Brenda has been working on answering emails, researching and confirming information, and updating listings in the SAcommunity database, her attention to detail an asset. 

After receving training in telephone techniques, Brenda started phone calls this week and has embraced the challenge. She looks forward to continuing to develop her skills as part of the team before seeking employment, ideally within the public service sector in an administration role. 

Editors Note: We are pleased to note that in August 2021 Brenda found full-time work in customer service and administration in a technology company. Responding to her exit interview Brenda told us "I'm super excited and working hard learning my new job. Thank you for all your time and effort in helping me and for making me feel welcome and appreciated. I will do my very best and hope that you continue doing well..." Thank you so much for letting me gain experience with you and Connecting Up." Congratulations Brenda! 

Carmen Cordova Rodriguez
Carmen is new here at Connecting Up, joining on 14 April 2021 having just completed a Certificate III in Health Administration at TAFE SA. She comes from a background in volunteering, having previously volunteered with the Salvation Army in their stores, taught swimming with Surf Lifesaving SA/NT, and in the aged care sector in administration. Carmen has also recently begun volunteering at the Lyell McEwin hospital to gain further experience in a hospital environment with the aim of working in health administration.

Carmen is looking forward exploring her interests further at Connecting Up, developing her research skills, and gaining practical experience while developing confidence in customer service. She has felt welcomed by the friendly and open environment of the office and is enjoying being a part of the team. Carmen is currently working on health sector related listings to improve her knowlege of services in this field to familiarise herself in the area. 

Editors Note: We are pleased to note that in August 2021 Carmen transitioned to full-time work in hospital administration and retired with us on 1 September 2021. All the best with your future role Carmen.
 

Brooke Lloyd
Brooke began volunteering with Connecting Up in 2019 after finishing a double degree in Media and Arts at the University of Adelaide. We were glad to say that Brooke moved into full-time employment in the community/disability services sector a few months afterwards, however she has remained on board remotely at Connecting Up since, kindly volunteering with us on the weekends.

Brooke has written several articles for the SAcommunity blog, including a Christmas Pageant Guide feature which received 3,091 views and has recently collated data for Justice of the Peace services across South Australia, which you can find here. 
 

Samantha Whillas
Sam is a student at Flinders University studying a Bachelor of Arts High Achievers majoring in Screen and Media, and a Bachelor of Letters in Creative Writing. She began volunteering for Connecting Up in March 2020. During this time, Samantha has continued to update the SAcommunity directory, and published stories as part of SAcommunities media. See Sam's story here.

Editors Note: We are glad to announce that Samantha began working with us at Connecting Up Inc. in the Customer Experience Team in December 2021, congratulations Samantha!