Volunteering
Volunteers are vital to the success of our organization, and we are grateful for the hundreds of hours our volunteers dedicate to the work of the Canadian Pride Historical Society. This volunteer spotlight is for Maria-Lise Dobri, one of our Sr. Research Coordinators based out of Whitby, Ontario, read more below.
What advice do you have for prospective volunteers for the CPHS?
The advice that I have for prospective volunteers is to go for it! Since the research is being done online, there’s a great deal of flexibility in how and when you complete your work.
What are 3 words to describe the CPHS?
My 3 words would be: preservation, access, and memory.
What do you like the most about the CPHS?
What I like most about volunteering at the CPHS is the variety of work that I’ve been able to do. As a Research Coordinator, I was searching for information about the history of Pride in Edmonton, and it always felt great to find what I was looking for. In my role as a Senior Research Coordinator, I’m able to work with others and provide support for them. Being able to serve in different roles means that I’m always learning something new.
What drew you to the CPHS originally? How has the CPHS changed since you’ve joined?
I was first drawn to the CPHS by the mission. As someone with a background in history, I’m all too aware of how easy it is for information to get lost. Preservation must be an active process and it’s one that I’m interested in participating in. I joined the CPHS less than a year ago and soon it will start launching the parts of the project designed for users, like the Pride Profiles, so there’s been a change to focus on those aspects — how to present information rather than gathering it.
