This is the fourth in a series of posts the BC Green Party will be producing to spotlight our wonderful volunteers who dedicate countless hours to the betterment of the party. If you’d like to nominate someone to feature, email [email protected] with the subject line “Volunteer Spotlight.”
Mary Cooper admits, she doesn’t like the limelight.
A volunteer with the BC Green Party for the last 15 months, as well as the financial coordinator for the Burnaby-Lougheed Riding Association, Cooper prefers doing behind-the-scenes work and the day-to-day activities that are necessary to help the party run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
For Cooper, volunteering with the BC Green Party is her chance to give back in a meaningful way and contribute to the fight against climate change.
“I don’t buy the argument that we have to wait until other countries come on board. I think there’s lots of room for leadership,” she said
“If [leadership] is in place, a lot can be accomplished. We have to work together and be on the same page to make progress.”
Giving back comes naturally
Volunteering isn’t new for Cooper, who retired 14 years ago. She also helps seniors with paperwork and visits seniors in care homes who do not have family in the area.
With the party, Cooper worked on text and phone campaigns, reaching out to supporters during the campaign on Proportional Representation.
While Cooper said there has been a bit of a learning curve, especially with her role as financial coordinator for the local riding association, being involved has helped her stay sharp.
“I’m doing something that I believe in. It’s not always stress free, and there is an awful lot to learn, but it’s very much a learning process,” she said. “It’s fun.
“Being involved with the Green Party has opened my eyes to younger generations and that’s interesting to see. Those people are at a different stage of life that I’m at.”
For more information on how you can get involved with the BC Green Party, visit bcgreens.ca/volunteer.
You can also meet other like-minded British Columbians at the party convention in New Westminster from June 7 to 9.