May 11th

Why Volunteer for MCA?  Why Not?

Four years ago, I received an unexpected phone call from Doreen Neufeld of the MCA Nominating Committee asking if I would be interested in volunteering on the MCA - Program and Festival Committee (PF). The Program and Festival committee? Why me? I was told someone nominated me thinking I may be interested, so now I was curious to know more about it. What does the committee do? How often do they meet? What would my role be? Doreen explained that the committee is responsible for planning the Annual Delegate Session and possible other events, and I would be one of three committee members along with a member from the Executive.  It sounded like something I could handle. I’ve been on the Congregational Life Committee at First Mennonite Church in Calgary for a few years and have some experience doing planning, so I thought, why not try this new MCA role?  What’s one more meeting every couple of months…and I get to meet new people and find out more about our conference. 
At my first meeting in Bergthal, I met several members from the MCA staff, executive and the various committees. I knew I’d never remember all their names, but that would come with time, and it did. As we all sat around the tables, I listened very intently as each person introduced themselves and what their involvement was on their committees, all the while wondering what I’m going to say when it came my turn. I had very little experience or knowledge of anything MCA. Was that going to matter? Well, I don’t recall how I introduced myself, but what I do recall is that I felt welcomed by everyone there (very similar to the feeling I had when I first walked into First Mennonite Church in Calgary many years ago). I learned that I didn’t need the MCA experience or knowledge, I just needed the willingness to get involved in whatever way God had set out for me. 
I’ve now served two terms with MCA and during this time, our committee planned four Annual Delegate Sessions, two Fall Gatherings, a Heritage Retreat and we also merged our PF Committee with Community Building which added new committee members and more interesting responsibilities. I don’t have time in a “Menno Minute” to share it all but suffice it to say the work is fulfilling, I’ve learned a lot and I look forward to learning more during my next term. 
The best part of being on an MCA Committee, for me, is the people.  I’ve worked alongside wonderful committee members and have formed friendships that will last a lifetime. I’m very grateful for that phone call from Doreen Neufeld back in 2018. If you receive a call from one of our Nominating Committee members asking you to consider an MCA volunteer role, ask yourself “why not?” By the way, our Community Building and Program Committee is looking for another member 😉.