MatchBoard, a Capacity Canada partnership with Manulife, links Manulife colleagues with volunteer opportunities on the boards of charitable non-profits across Canada. Through the program, Manulife offers employees a chance to support the causes they care about most while giving back to the community through skills-based volunteering.
Kyle Leng, an intermediate Business Process Automation Engineer with Manulife, was fairly young when he decided to become a volunteer board member and was nervous about applying to different non-profit organizations. When Kyle heard about the MatchBoard program he knew it was what he needed to achieve his goal.
“I went through several interview processes, but the MatchBoard program prepared me for all of it in advance,” says Kyle, who was matched with the Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Center (BBNC). The BBNC works with diverse individuals and communities to overcome barriers and enhance quality of life through social inclusion and responsive programs and services. “I was interested in working with them as their mission resonated with me. It’s important to give resources to others to help them succeed in life. The youth employment program especially spoke to me since it’s a service many young people need,” says Kyle.
MatchBoard, a Capacity Canada partnership with Manulife, links Manulife colleagues with volunteer opportunities on the boards of charitable non-profits. Through the program, Manulife offers colleagues a chance to support the causes they care about most while giving back to the community through skills-based volunteering. “The MatchBoard program helped me connect to a local non-profit in my area. After a few interviews with the board and the chair independently, I was accepted as a volunteer before I became an official elected member later that year,” says Kyle, who joined the program in 2019. Comprehensive training and one-on-one sessions are critical to MatchBoard’s success. Once matched with their choice of a non-profit organization, participants are encouraged to be part of the governance training to prepare them for their role.
“MatchBoard helped me improve my skillset so I could become a director. It was also a great opportunity to develop strategic planning and management skills,” says Kyle adding that he would love to continue to connect with those offering the MatchBoard program so he could access support even after becoming a board director.
Crediting Manulife for the opportunity, Kyle says he strongly believes in giving back to the community and supporting young people to succeed in their future endeavours and become the best version of themselves. “I would encourage everyone to join the MatchBoard program, including those who are a bit hesitant to do so.”
Since 2012, Capacity Canada has placed over 300 Manulife colleagues on boards across Canada.
Interested in donating your time to impact meaningful change? Visit MatchBaord for more information and contact Andrew Wilding ([email protected]) directly to find your match today.
