VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR SPOTLIGHT: CARMEN LAFLAMME

Wednesday, March 01, 2023

Carmen LaFlamme is a new and valuable member of our on site Volunteer Services Team. We recently sat down with Carmen to discuss a few of her favourite things and what she loves about the festival.

 

What did you do prior to joining the festival? 

I have worked in Community Service positions and Administrative positions.

 

What are you most excited about in your role?

I am excited to be able to meet members of my community. I want to give people a great experience volunteering and keep them coming back year after year.

 

What do you do for fun? I like to read, watch tv, and play video games. I am very low key and happy to just hang out with friends.

 

What might someone be surprised to know about you? I love water but am afraid of the ocean!

 

What’s your favourite summer pastime? Camping and Hiking!

 

What makes Canada the best Country in the world? The nature. I love being outdoors!

 

What book are you currently reading? A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (it is amazing!)

 

Have you ever participated in the greatest sport in the world, dragon boating? Yes! I was on the Junior National Team that competed in Prague in 2009 and I paddled competitively for 8 years from 2007-2014.

 

Your dragon boat springs a leak and strands you on a deserted island. What are your three must haves? Clean drinking water, a raft and a paddle to get outta there!

 

Planes, Trains or Automobiles, and why? Trains because I like to take the scenic route.

 

Cats or Dogs? Cats because they do their own thing.

 

What is your favourite:

• Sport? I love Dragon Boat and Running!

• Concert? I haven’t been to many concerts but I would love to see Stevie Nicks Live.

• Book? Fairy Tale by Stephen King

We have a great article on the website called  “THE VOLUNTEER PARADOX: IN GIVING, WE RECEIVE”, what thoughts might you like to add to it if you could? A couple points I might add are:

• The positive outcome of community togetherness.

• The exceptionally warm presence of the dragon boat community that makes it a great volunteering experience.

• The fact that even though volunteering at this event expends energy, it also creates it because it is so fun!

In closing, what would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering with the festival? If someone has not volunteered before, it is a perfect opportunity to get their toes wet (literally). There are so many sections of the event they can choose from where they will feel best suited; as well as meet members of their community and experience all the positive vibes that come with a high-energy & fun event like this. The staff are great, the participants are great and hopefully the weather will be great! .

 

If you’re thinking about volunteering you can find out about the available opportunities here and register below.