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Katrina Oxford – Volunteering with DUC – It’s all about the Team Spirit
Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., April 12, 2010 — Katrina Oxford of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador is passionate about the outdoors – a passion that is not only making an important difference to wetlands and wildlife but also to her community. Since joining the local Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) committee last year, Katrina is quickly becoming one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most inspiring and innovative volunteers. During National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, DUC salutes Katrina for her enthusiasm and for donating her valuable time and energy to wetland conservation.
A mother of 12-year-old twins who enjoys camping and fishing, Katrina thrives on having a purposeful and active life. She is an advocate of the team approach in everything she does. When Katrina joined the local DUC committee, it had lost a bit of its original appeal within the community. Katrina remembered the way it once was and set out with her team to bring back that enthusiasm from the past and that is exactly what they did. In addition, Katrina also led a community raffle for a framed Guy Lafleur hockey jersey - $3,000 was raised thanks to Katrina and team.
“The credit for any of my success is all about group effort,” says Katrina. “As chair for the Happy Valley committee, I just help to bring everyone together to get a feel for what people are comfortable taking on. We work as a team to make sure that we are on track and heading in the right direction. Everyone on the committee makes it work as a collective; it is never just one individual.”
One of the things that Katrina enjoys about volunteering with DUC is that she never stops learning and is continually improving herself and her skill sets. For Katrina, being part of DUC also reinforces that surrounding yourself with great people is important in all aspects of life. The way Katrina sees it, there is definitely strength in numbers.
“Katrina had been attending our local event for years and she knew its potential and went for it,” says Kelly Sandoval DUC’s fundraising manager in Newfoundland and Labrador. “Because she is so passionate about DUC and she has such a ‘can do’ attitude, other volunteers wanted to be part of her energy and enthusiasm. With her business-minded approach to organizing and her strong team-building skills, Katrina is a fabulous asset to the province.”
“National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, is our opportunity to celebrate DUC’s team of 7,400 dedicated volunteers like Katrina,” says Loraine Nyokong, DUC director of event and retail fundraising. “DUC volunteers are continually giving freely of themselves to organize fundraising events across Canada for the benefit of wetland conservation. They are the driving force behind our success.”
“I like the idea of always improving,” says Katrina. “I want to challenge myself and the amazing team around me to be the best we can be and I can’t wait for next year to prove that we can make our annual dinner even better!”
Funds raised by volunteers like Katrina directly support DUC’s Wetlands for Tomorrow campaign – the largest conservation fundraising campaign in the history of North America. It spans three countries as DUC works alongside Ducks Unlimited, Inc. in the United States and Ducks Unlimited Mexico to conserve wetlands for waterfowl, other wildlife and people.
For more information, contact:
Ashley Lewis, a_lewis@ducks.ca
Communications Coordinator, Fundraising
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: 204-467-3252
