About START In March 2009, a group of like minded individuals came together with a common goal in mind: to get students more involved in campus life. The idea of a program was suddenly envisioned at the Board of Directors training session. START, was “started” with the same ideals our current volunteers uphold, Students Taking an Active Role Together. The Student Association strives to uphold the rights of each of its member by ensuring activities and needs. START adequately provides students with the opportunity to create their own movement.
|
Our HistoryThe first days of START brought us 15 or so volunteers who were committed in building the program and getting it off our feet, because of those key volunteers and their devotion to START; we are now close to 200 active volunteers and over 4000 volunteer hours logged. START is very proud of our history, and so focused and driven on our future, we cannot wait to see what we have waiting for us over the horizon, but as they say “you can’t know where you’re going unless you know where you've been.”.
|
Testimonials
Eloise Liu
Eloise Liu was our most valued volunteer in 2013. She has banked over 130 hours of volunteer work. Eloise is an international student and has been volunteering since December. Food events are her favourite to volunteer for, but who can blame her? Eloise’s main reason for joining the team was to master English and meet new people. She explained, “I am quite active and outgoing and especially like to participate various activities. It is great to communicate with different people.” |
Timothy Hong
Becoming a volunteer for START Program has been one of the most valuable experiences in my school life at Kwantlen. I can still remember those lovely people who were helping new students during welcome week of my first semester at Kwantlen. They were wearing a green t-shirt; they have a meaningful name as well - START Volunteers. It was hard to forget. I put on the green t-shirt and joined this amazing and enthusiastic group of people after a cold winter. We had tons of fun volunteering with our passionate volunteers and staffs supporting different events, and taking part in a PSA for Other Half Chinese Stem Cell Initiative. We volunteer become friends, or even more like a big family. We have not only gained lots of friends from START, but also lots of valuable experience and skills for our future career. I want to say I am proud of being a part of START; I wish I can give back more to our START Program if I have more time at school.
|
Nikka Bagasbas
Volunteering with START (Students Taking an Active Role Together) over the past year has been such a great opportunity and experience.
I like making people happy and volunteering with START has given me that opportunity. I realized the power of a smile, good cheer, and enthusiasm. I am proud to be a part of something that enriches the university experience. I realize that what I do does make a difference, and at the end of the day my effort matters. There's also room for being you, having fun, and being creative. There's always something new and the people around you welcome ideas. |
Monica Mah
Monica Mah backpacked Europe with her sister and shortly after she decided to join Kwantlen for the Sociology program. Monica wanted to “meet new people, help out in the community, and also get more involved with school.” Monica's goal is to become a social worker, so naturally her favourite event has been the food drive, because of its “obvious benefits to people in need.” Monica balances a part-time job at Save-On-Foods. She works as a florist and tries to volunteer as much as she can between this and school. Monica has been a volunteer with START for a year now and has proven to be very valuable member to the program! |