VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR SPOTLIGHT: OLIVIA EARL

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Olivia brings her tradmark bubbly demenor and positive attitude to the Volunteer Services Team. We recently sat down with Olivia to learn more about her.

What are you most looking forward to about the summer festival? I am most looking forward to being able to take a moment and just watch the event happen. People have been working so hard to provide an amazing experience, and I’m so excited to get the opportunity to watch as the dragon boat community gets to celebrate after two long years!

What do you do for fun when not working? When I’m not working, I’m likely exploring the city for new local spots to buy food from, painting, or working out!

What would you describe as a perfect day? A perfect day would be a warm sunny Sunday, where I go with my friends to the TD Place farmers market. We walk around and buy produce from local vendors, and sit and eat some of our goodies at the park. Then we come home and make a meal together with what we bought! Finish it with some time spent outside after dinner at a park, and it would be a perfect day.

What book are you reading? All Our Relations: Finding the Path Forward by Tanya Talaga

We’re going to play a game:

Cold Brew or Iced Coffee? - Neither, I don’t drink coffee! I like tea.
Justin Bieber or Justin Timberlake? - I have to go Justin Timberlake simply for the fact that he was in NSYNC.
Spartacat or Big Joe? - Big Joe
Hamburger or Hotdog?- vegetarian hot dog (very specifically the one from Ikea. It's one dollar, and you just can’t beat that).
Yellowstone or Ozark?- If we’re talking about geographical locations in the states, then I pick Yellowstone. If we’re talking about the shows- I couldn’t tell you what either one is about unfortunately.

It’s time for some word association:

Community = Queer. Ottawa has a wonderful 2SLGBTQ+ community!
Peaches = Peach Pie Perogies (from a local vendor at a farmers market where I’m from)
The Beach = Cobourg, ON- it was the closest town with a beach where I grew up!
Jaws = The Movie!
Volunteerism = Opportunity

What might someone be surprised to know about you? I was born in the kitchen of my parents' home! My parents lived (and still do) in a rural area, and when my mom went into labor, they couldn’t get to the hospital as she was too far along in the process. Firefighters were the first to respond, and then finally the paramedics showed up and delivered me!

In closing, what would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering with the festival? I would tell someone that this is an opportunity to really engage with their community, make friends, and have some fun! You never know when you’re going to meet some amazing new people, and Dragon Boat could be your opportunity to do just that.

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