The Volunteer Executive Committee (VEC) welcomed four new members this spring.   We’ll be profiling them over the next few weeks so you can get to know the people who are representing you.  We’ve asked them each a few questions about themselves.  This week we hear from Lesley North, Infoguide representative.

What or who brought you into AGO as a volunteer?
I volunteer at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a fellow volunteer with whom I chatted frequently was also a volunteer at AGO.  She recognized that we shared interests in the Arts and one day she asked me if I was interested in volunteering with the gallery.    I hadn’t thought of it at that time, but it was Fall of 2008 and the gallery was about to re-open.  So, I applied, got interviewed and the rest is history.  I started with AGO in November of 2008 and have been here ever since.

Where do you volunteer and for how long?
I am an Information Guide, and now Co Day Captain on Wednesdays.  I’ve been doing this since I started with the gallery.

What do you like best about being a volunteer?
Two things:  one is being on the front lines with our visitors and helping them navigate and ensuring that they see what they want to see, and that they enjoy their visit.  It’s so much fun and so gratifying when they tell us how much they have enjoyed the gallery and all it has to offer.  We have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, and have interesting conversations.  Info guides are also fortunate to be able to intersect with Gallery Guides, Protection Services and especially Membership Staff which helps all of us do a better job.  And, as far as we know, we are the only major gallery to have Info Guides, so hats off to us!

The second thing is: the friends I’ve made.  I work with a wonderful group of Info and Gallery guides on Wednesdays, and to think that if I were not doing this, I would never have met them.

Why did you want to join the VE?
To be perfectly frank, I had not even thought of it until I was asked if I would consider joining to represent the Info Guides.  After some thought, I realized that membership on VEC might give me some insights that I could pass on to other volunteers so I decided to throw my hat in.

Thanks Lesley!  Stay tuned for more profiles!