The month of August celebrates 3 staff anniversaries!  Sue started working with BBBSO in 2002, Sameera joined our team in 2006, and Stephanie in 2008.  Each has had a great impact on the work that we do and in helping us serve 1000 children annually.

Most of our Bigs and Littles know Sue.  Not because she has been with the agency for 8 years, but because Sue plans all of the group activities that our matches attend.  From fishing, to skating, scrapbooking to cooking, not to mention our annual holiday party, Sue thinks of it all.  Over the years, she has also been responsible for the piloting and implementation of a number group programs such as Go Girls!, Big Bunch and most recently Game On! (our new boys group mentoring program).

When asked about what has kept her at BBBSO over the last 8 years, Sue said "I enjoy many aspects of my job. I believe in BBBSO's mission and vision and the value of having a mentor. I get to work in a great team environment. Lastly, I get lots of satisfaction through the work I do for the volunteers and children we serve."

Being the chameleon of the agency, Sue's responsibilities continue to shift year after year and this year will be her first working in the Mentoring InSchool Program in addition to planning group activities.  How to choose from so much to decide on her biggest accomplishment?  Sue doesn't, she says "I think my biggest accomplishment is not exactly tangible because for me, I feel the moments of accomplishment come when I am at a BBBSO group activity and see the awesome interactions between the Bigs and Littles; literally seeing the impact our agency and work we do has on both the Little and the Big. Also, there are some matches that have been around as long as I have and I must say it's pretty neat seeing the relationship between a Big and Little evolve into something pretty special."

Thanks Sue for 8 great years of service... and counting!

That friendly voice and welcoming smile you hear or see when you first contact or visit BBBSO is that of our administrative assistant, Sameera.  Celebrating 4 years with us, Sameera first started as our receptionist.  Because she likes to keep as busy as possible, she took on the distribution of tickets for matches, and registration for group activities.  Her responsibilities continued to increase as she also began making confirmation calls for appointments, responding to enrollment inquiries and doing more and more work in our database.  Last year Sameera was promoted to administrative assistant and she has started taking on some aspects of office operations.  When asked about what drew her to BBBSO she replied "It was an opportunity I decided to take due to work hours offered and I'm still here because I'm comfortable in terms of work and staff wise." She sees her role in the team as her biggest accomplishment within the agency and tells us that she's happy to work here and wishes to take on even more responsibility in the future.

4 years of details, details, details.  Thanks Sameera!

I was first introduced to Stephanie when as a student, she came to speak with me about Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa's role in the community.  She was open-minded, curious and very interested in the work of the agency.  It was no surprise when a few months later, she became a Mentoring Coordinator in our Match Program.  Since August of 2008, she has endeavoured to provide excellent service and support to all of her matches.

When asked, Stephanie said "I decided to work for BBBSO initially because I wanted to be a part of providing these valuable programs to the community.  I firmly believe in the benefit of BBBSO's programs for not only the youth of the community, but for the community at large.  I think that mentoring can take many forms and I have yet to meet anyone who would not benefit from a mentoring relationship."  This belief has kept Stephanie with us and she continues to support Bigs and Littles on outings, develop strong relationships and create lasting friendships. 

A strong staff culture is also responsible for keeping Stephanie with us.  She says, "I must also admit that the staff at BBBSO is another large factor of why I choose to continue with BBBSO.  The people who work here make the agency a very welcoming friendly, professional place."

That's two great years already Stephanie!  Thanks!