Unique ways to give back

Giving back to the community can be immensely rewarding, not only for the person or organization receiving the service, but also for the person providing it. 

As an accountant at Paul Teoh Chartered Professional Accountants, a seven-person, Calgary-based accounting firm, Patrick Teoh CPA, CA is most proud of what his organization has accomplished for their Indigenous clients throughout the Northwest Territories. “We go to these places and immerse ourselves in their history and culture,” says Patrick. “By being there, especially in cultures where presence and oral understanding are so important, we develop an understanding of our clients. Then we adapt our financial reporting frameworks to meet their needs and advocate for them on a standards-setting level.”

Aside from supporting communities on a professional level, Patrick volunteers locally in various capacities. “There are so many holes in society that volunteers fill,” says Patrick.

The Volly App helps fill many of these holes. Volly is a non-profit platform that connects individuals looking for opportunities with organizations looking for volunteers. Patrick, who serves as Treasurer of the organization behind the app, describes it as a match-making service that facilitates micro-volunteering, allowing individuals to complete quick projects with a limited time commitment. “People want to help, but they don’t know how to connect. We want to make it as easy as possible to find opportunities,” says Patrick.

Volly also supports unrelated ventures, such as the Good Neighbour Community Market, a mutual aid non-profit store where businesses, professionals, and individuals—including CPAs, students, property owners and managers, and donors—can contribute their efforts and resources to support people in need. The idea of the Good Neighbour Community Market is simple: take what you need and donate what you can afford. Proceeds from the market partially fund the Calgary Community Fridge, a 24/7 outdoor pantry that provides free food to anyone who needs it.

Volly offers opportunities to give back, connect with others, and build strong relationships. “As a student, sometimes your friends are people you went to school with. But when you are able to bond over a shared cause, it’s different…. People have started their careers as volunteers. It builds character. You learn how to work in a team and be responsible. Volunteering fills the forgotten holes in society, and that’s why it will always be needed,” says Patrick.  

For most of her career in Canada, Cynthia Chick CPA, CGA has worked with not-for-profit organizations. “At first, it was because I needed a job,” Cynthia admits.

Then she started working at the Salvation Army and realized their values aligned with hers. Those values included treating people with dignity and respect.

The Salvation Army supports those affected by a lack of affordable housing, such as people experiencing homelessness and those who can’t afford rent in the short term. Although the organization receives funding from the government, it also raises funds through donations, including their Christmas Kettle Campaign. Employees are not obligated to participate in the campaign, but Cynthia saw this as an opportunity to give back. “I believe by standing at the kettle stand, I helped someone,” says Cynthia. “It doesn’t matter how small your contribution is. As an individual, you can make a difference.”

When Cynthia left the Salvation Army, she intentionally sought out other organizations that would allow her to connect directly with the community. Working at Immigrant Services Calgary exposes her to many of these opportunities. Last year, she hosted a family of five from abroad for two weeks and taught them how to use appliances, look for accommodation, apply for a driver’s license, and catch the bus.

Shortly after, Cynthia hosted another person for a month. “She was single, so I could accommodate her longer,” says Cynthia. “I am an immigrant, so I understand how things that seem simple to us can be overwhelming to someone who is new to the country. You don’t know how those people will impact others here in Canada. You can change a whole community just by impacting one soul.”

From a professional perspective, Cynthia has also helped people file their taxes. Working at an immigrant agency, she regularly encounters internationally educated and trained individuals who are unaware of the CPA designation and its benefits. She believes, as a collective, CPAs and prospective CPAs with knowledge of the designation can tell others about it in formal and informal settings.

Reflecting on the joy Cynthia gets from giving back, she says, “Seeing the appreciation on the people’s faces gives me a sense of peace and happiness. I truly believe there is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”