Barbara Smith, Executive assistant, Corporate Legal Administration
Years on the Blue Crew Advisory Board: 4
If there’s one reason Barbara loves volunteering, it’s meeting new people. She’s been meeting new people as a Blue Crew volunteer for 13 years. Her coworker Laurie Colborn nominated her for a position on the Blue Crew Advisory Board, and her membership was approved by fellow advisory board member, Tony Taliaferro.
Barbara is excited to continue encouraging her coworkers to become Blue Crew volunteers, particularly for the event she calls her pet project, the Philadelphia UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball.
Volunteer project(s) she leads:
UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball
I was the Blue Crew’s first volunteer project lead for the United Negro College Fund Mayor’s Masked Ball in Philadelphia, and it’s now my fourth year leading it. It’s an annual black-tie gala that raises money for scholarships to help deserving students attend and graduate from college. Our president and CEO Dan Hilferty is one of the honorees at the 2017 gala on March 18.
As event volunteers, we need to be flexible and ready to do any job that’s required — staffing the registration table, greeting and seating the guests, managing the silent auction, and even helping assist security.
Supporting the gala is a lot of work, but it’s also fun because we get the chance to get dressed up and enjoy the party, too!
North Broad Renaissance State of North Broad Gala
I also had the opportunity to lead a new project in 2016, which was the State of North Broad gala event for North Broad Renaissance. It was the first time the Blue Crew worked with this organization, and I enjoyed guiding them with their volunteer needs for the event, which raised money to support efforts to revitalize the community around North Broad Street in Philadelphia.
Advice for others who want to volunteer:
If you’re interested in meeting new people of all ages, and for my coworkers in particular, supporting the values of our company, then volunteering is the best thing to do. It’s a great way to network and build your résumé, too.
When you volunteer, sometimes you also wind up helping yourself. For example, we support Rebuilding Together® Philadelphia, which provides low-income families with a safe and healthy place to live. While we’re renovating someone else’s home, we also learn valuable DIY skills like painting and gardening that we can use in our own home improvement projects!
Impact of the Blue Crew on corporate culture:
Making life easier and better for others is part of our company’s mission, and our Blue Crew volunteers proudly support this commitment. We also have the opportunity to work with our senior leaders on projects and demonstrate the vital role Blue Crew volunteers play in our community.
We’re profiling members of the advisory board for our Independence Blue Cross (Independence) Corporate Volunteer Program — the Blue Crew. Blue Crew advisory board members lead individual projects, promote volunteerism, and evaluate and select the organizations, projects, and events our Blue Crew supports. Know an organization or a local event that could use enthusiastic volunteers? Contact the Blue Crew.
You may be eligible to apply for an affordable health plan today.
Get Medicare plans from Independence.
