Shirley Ewen: Resident Data Manager
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| Photo by Polly McColl |
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Chances are you have never met Shirley Ewen. Although not a familiar face among volunteers, she's an integral part of the life of the Friends of the Farm. Shirley is the resident data manager. On Tuesdays she can be found in the back office of Building 72, compiling, inputting and updating data on volunteers and memberships. She generously shares her computer skills honed over 20 years with the federal government to compile customized statistical reports on volunteer hours (for each garden team and special event) and memberships (new, renewal and lapsed) for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Friends Board of Directors and Director of Membership. Shirley also sends out membership renewal letters, runs off address labels for the newsletter, updates the events page on the Friends' website, and, most recently, took on the added task of preparing financial reports for membership, donation, and fundraiser revenue. In 2005, a year after retiring, Shirley spotted a Friends ad in the Ottawa Citizen seeking a volunteer with computer skills for the office. "I was interested in volunteer work where I could keep my computer skills up to date," she explains, "but not have to make a huge commitment." Nearly seven years later, "the work still suits me," offers Shirley. "I like what I do, and knowing that I am helping to support the Farm. I can bike to the Farm in the summer - that's a big benefit - the job offers a bit of routine in my life, but, at the same time, there's considerable flexibility. For me, it's the best of all worlds." Mary Ann Smythe |