Finding Joy in Giving from Offline to Online Volunteering | Terence Mak, Swire Trust Go-Givers of 2023
Together with Time Auction, the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program encourages skilled volunteers for Swire Trust NGO partners in education, marine conservation, and arts. From now to 2025. 10 outstanding volunteers will be selected annually as the “Swire Trust Go-Givers of the Year” with special rewards & recognition. Meet our 10 Go-Givers of 2023!
Meet Terence
When Terence was younger, he often visited his neighborhood YMCA after school to attend extracurricular programs. These classes were either free or very affordable, and even after all these years, he remembers all the volunteers who helped him with schoolwork and supported his growth.
Now, more than a decade later and a working professional in the finance & accounting sector, Terence considers himself to be in the privileged position to “pass it on” and give back to the community.
Education has always been very important to him, and it’s also the cause he is most passionate about. Read how Terence became an integral member of the CantoGather team and continues the positive ripple effect through skill-based volunteering.
Offline to Online
Terence’s first experiences with volunteering were with traditional, on-site volunteering. Not too sure how to get started, he went back to his old stomping grounds and began teaching classes at the YMCA.
In 2021, he discovered the Time Auction platform and was introduced to CantoGather.
Terence really clicked with Cantogather’s mission to provide accessible Chinese language courses for students of non-Chinese backgrounds, as well as inclusive, multicultural education programs for community members.
“I started as a volunteer tutor, However, as my career demands increased, I could no longer commit to in person tutoring. That’s when I transitioned to a remote role instead, and became the volunteer Financial Data Administrator for CantoGather”
Despite less face-to-face contact with the team, Terece’s contributions weren’t diminished and remained very crucial. In fact, he was (and still is!) an integral part of the Cantogather team.
At the time, Cantogather was growing rapidly, and they desperately needed some accounting and administrative support. “When I started, all of the recruited volunteers were tutors! All of the finance and admin tasks fell onto the shoulders of Florence, the founder, until I stepped in. After that, I was the only volunteer who managed the bookkeeping and financial records for a long time.”
Now, Terence continues to dedicate 3 - 4 hours a week to CantoGather. He may even devote up to 10-12 hours to compiling and generating monthly reports when the month-end closes. His remote role’s flexibility allows him to continue contributing to a cause he’s passionate about, without compromising his professional or personal commitments.
“Just Have Some Fun With It!”
Through various life and career changes, Terence has consistently volunteered, adapting and finding new ways to fit it into his increasingly busy life, and striving for positive impact.
“Some of my friends prefer to donate money, and question why I choose to volunteer my free time. While both are great ways to contribute, I personally believe hands-on involvement holds more meaningful. Based on my experience, NGOs often lack time and manpower, so offering your skills and expertise directly impacts the cause and supports the team.”
For those considering skill-based volunteering, Terence’s advice is to just have some fun and enjoy it! While it's natural to worry about balancing your time and lifestyle, remember that volunteering should not be a burden, but a joyful, fun, and rewarding experience.
If you’re a fun-loving person who likes kids, why not start by volunteering at a charity fun fair? If you’re a budding photographer, use your talents and volunteer at a sports event. Remember, volunteering should be fun, don’t stress too much about it. Explore the diverse projects available on the Time Auction platform and find your perfect match!
Thank you Terence for contributing 60 volunteer hours, with CantoGather!
To see details of the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program and support their NGO partners, head over to Time Auction website.
Written by Ching Lam Ip, Volunteer Copywriter
