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Greetings from the Alumni Association Chair
Kristan Ash |
 | | Kristan Ash |
Dear Fellow Alumni,
Like me, I'm sure you have been busy planning holiday celebrations, attending office parties and, of course, shopping! In addition to spending quality time with my friends and family, one of my favourite parts of the Christmas season is the opportunity to give.
'Giving' is considered to be a universal act of kindness across cultures. For me, it means spending time, getting the perfect gift for the special people on my list and watching their faces as they unwrap their surprise, or serving a cause, as I get to chair the Kwantlen Alumni Association again for the coming year.
We can all agree: giving feels good. In fact, it is the driver behind the Holiday Spirit -- something we could surely benefit from all year round. So that got me thinking about EASY ways one could give throughout the year. Beyond presents or even charitable donations or time (although, those are great ways too!), the act of giving also means:
- Being kind, compassionate and loving
- Respecting others' ideas and life paths, even if they are contrary to yours
- Keeping your dignity and grace in every situation
- Answering your life's calling and doing it well
- Giving compliments and learning not to judge yourself or others
- Generously sharing your life/work experience in order to help others
To me, one of the most powerful ways to give is through random acts of kindness. This couldn't be better illustrated than in Catherine Ryan Hyde's moving novel Pay It Forward, which was later made into a movie starring Kevin Spacey and Haley Joel Osment. The concept? Do a good deed for three people and, in exchange, ask each of them to "pay it forward" to three more. The result? Three kind acts turn into nine, nine turn into 27, and so on.
Really, how much simpler could it be?
Best Wishes,
Kristan Ash
Chair, Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association
BBA, Class of 2003
P.S. Congratulations to our new and returning board members: Baltej Dhillon, Stuart Chase, Nicholas Pavlich, Sandra Hoffman, Sarb Lalli and Ayanthi Samarasinghe. For further election details see "News and Events" below. |
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Alumni Highlight of the Month
 | | Elizabeth Johnson |
Name: Elizabeth Johnson, Co-Founder, Grace Rwanda Society
Program: BBA Human Resources Management
Grad Year: 2008
Giving Hope, Receiving Peace
A survivor of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide, Kwantlen Human Resources Management Grad Elizabeth Johnson is the co-founder of Grace Rwanda Society, a B.C.-based non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and re-construction of schools in remote areas of Rwanda. Click here to read her inspiring Alumni Q&A and why she believes it's important for all of us to get involved "in making the world a better place." | |
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Tools for Success: Paying It Forward is Good for Your Health!
It has long been recognized that giving to and helping others is good for the soul, but did you know studies have shown that it can actually reduce stress, boost the immune system and improve your overall health?
"Helping contributes to the maintenance of good health and it can diminish the effect of diseases and disorders, both serious and minor, psychological and physical," said Allan Luks, co-author of The Healing Power of Doing Good.
His research, based on a study of more than 3000 volunteers, concluded that regular helpers are 10 times more likely to be in good health than people who do not volunteer. According to Lux, helping others -- through such things as volunteering and altruism -- reduces stress MORE>>>
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| Cool Last-Minute Gift Ideas
With just a few shopping days left, are you at a panicky loss trying to find the perfect gift for your mom, dad, partner or boss? Don't sweat it! The Gift Gurus at gifts.com have been hard at work finding the coolest gifts for Christmas 2011. From funky iPhone cases to personalized pyjamas, LEGO architect sets, to the world's largest gummy worm, they've got something for everyone on your list! Check it out here. | |
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Career Services: Hot JOBS!
Top 7 "Hot" new employment postings on Kwantlen Career Services Job Posting System:
- Financial Advisor and Service Rep. - CIBC
- Chemical Laboratory Technologist - Sialco Materials Ltd.
- Jr. Operations Manager - Pedre Contractors Ltd.
- Grower 2 - PRT Growing Services Ltd.
- Millwright - RAS Industries Ltd.
- Office Admin./Sales & IT Support - Duo Display
- Operations Centre Agent - Marquise Customer Service
Check out more jobs at Kwantlen Career Services!
What's New at Career Services? Career Services is currently accepting registration for Career Days 2012. We are looking for employers, student and alumni to connect on Thursday March 22, 2012. For more information please visit us at Career Days.
On Jan. 20, 2012, the XY Boom conference will bring three generations together to discuss youth unemployment and the baby boomer exit. This event is free for youth (19-30) and is an opportunity for the three generations to collaborate and discuss how to take action on youth unemployment. To learn more visit www.kwantlen.ca/careerday.
The latest edition of jobpostings magazine is now available! This issue focuses on women in trades, insurance and technology. Pick up your free issue at any Kwantlen campus today!
Need help with your job search?
Providing resume review, interview preparation and labour market research, Kwantlen Career Services coordinators are available at all four Kwantlen campuses to assist you with your job search. To request an appointment, visit Career Services or contact Shelley Vidal, Kwantlen Career Services Coordinator at 604.599.3401 or shelley.vidal@kwantlen.ca. | |
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Business Corner: The Gift of Financial Advice
By Marc Bains, BBA
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Marc Bains
Class of 2007 |
As young professionals in a tight economy, we can all appreciate the value of budget planning and watching our monthly expenses. But when it comes to looking at our bigger financial picture -- i.e. long-range growth, investment strategies, retirement planning, etc. -- how many of us have taken the time to seek out professional advice?
Everyone knows it is a proven fact that financial planning pays off down the road. However, when car payments, student loans and rent or mortgage payments are looming, our long-range financial house is not always top of mind. Not to mention, staying on top of the markets and researching the most advantageous steps MORE>>> | |
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News, Events, & Updates
News
KPUAA Welcomes New Board Members
Six board of director positions were filled following KPUAA's Annual General Meeting and board elections held last month at the Kwantlen Surrey Campus. New board members Ayanthi Samarasinghe and Sarb Lalli have replaced departing directors Andrew Liew and Dylan Watson. Returning KPUAA board directors include: Baltej Dhillon (past chair), Stuart Chase, Sandra Hoffman and Nicholas Pavlich. For a complete list of KPUAA's 2011-12 board of directors, including their biographies, please visit www.kwantlen.ca/alumni/about/board
Kwantlen Student First Canadian to Receive Prestigious Hospitality Scholarship
Kwantlen Polytechnic University Interior Design student, Santiago Arcila, (Burlington, ON) is the first Canadian to be honoured with the ICON of Industry scholarship since the award was founded in 2004. Incredibly, he is also the first male to ever win this scholarship. MORE
Events
Mark your Calendars! Kwantlen's 30th Anniversary celebration is just around the corner!
On Friday, March 2, 2012, please join us at River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond for Kwantlen's 30th Anniversary Gala hosted by KPUAA. The event will include the Distinguished Alumni Awards presentations, plus great food, wine, music and spectacular entertainment! For tickets or more information, please visit http://www.kwantlen.ca/alumni/news.html
To get the latest update on events, please check the KPUAA website closer to the events or get regular updates via twitter and facebook.
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Volunteer Opportunities | |
First Year Matters
Hello Alumni! As you look back on your own first year experience, we are certain many ideas come to mind that would have improved your experience for you. We need those ideas! A focus group of alumni will be formed to discuss the above question. Your voice in this process is critical.
If you are interested in participating in the focus group session, please send along your interest along with your full name and email address to foe@kwantlen.ca
Kwantlen Public Art Committee
The committee is responsible for making recommendations related to the acquisition, exhibition, maintenance, and storage of objects in accordance with the Public Art Policy for the university. If you have a background in the Arts and are interested in being an Alumni representative on the committee, please email alumni@kwantlen.ca . The committe will meet about 3 times a year.
If you are interested in becoming a general volunteer for any upcoming events, email us alumni@kwantlen.ca . |
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Tweets of the Month
@CrystalMoonable: My dog has been sitting outside in front of the snowman for an hour waiting for it to throw one of those twigs.
@ tracy_marq: A great way to ruin someones knock-knock joke is to say, "Come in!" instead of "Who's there?".
@yoyoha: Dogs and men always look guilty of something. This explains the friendship.
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KPUAA's mission is to bring together Kwantlen alumni and help them build lifelong relationships with the university and the community, increasing the institution's reputation and the impact that graduates have on Kwantlen and the world. | |
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Alumni Professional Directory
Did you know KPUAA offers a free professional listing to all alumni, whether they are business owners, consultants or company employees? In addition to providing great networking opportunities, the alumni professional directory is a way for Kwantlen alumni to support one another and, in some cases, offer fellow alumni discounts on products and services. For more information, please View/Search the Kwantlen Alumni Professional Directory. | |
Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association
12666 72nd Avenue,
Surrey, BC V3W 2M8
alumni@kwantlen.ca KPUAA welcomes story ideas and alumni written material. To submit a story or share your ideas, please email alumni@kwantlen.ca. |
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