So often as a volunteer manager, I hear, “I would like to get more involved, but I am not sure how.” Or “I want to make a difference but do not have much free time.” Now I hear, “How can I participate during a global pandemic?” ISACA’s CommunITy Day offers a perfect opportunity to help!
Mark your calendars for 3 October 2020 and join us for ISACA’s second annual CommunITy Day! Small efforts add up, and particularly in these challenging times of physical distancing, working remotely and juggling shifting schedules and priorities, this is one day each year where ISACA members and their families and friends come together to change the world. We will track local volunteer efforts around the world starting at midnight in New Zealand through 11:59 p.m. in Hawaii, USA, and celebrate the collective impact we can all have by giving back.
In 2019 we did just that! More than 2,800 volunteers on 92 teams spent 6,100+ hours over the course of one day giving back. I fully admit I was glued to the live social media feed that day watching the #ISACACommunITyDay activities roll in and circle the globe! Some projects were related to ISACA’s professional fields – helping seniors learn about mobile apps, educating parents on cybersecurity for their children, digital preservation of historic documents. Other projects improved the community more generally – beach clean-up, awareness walks and bike rides, fundraising efforts, stocking food pantries, blood drives, mentoring underprivileged kids, and much more! (Check out a list of some of the activities our members and chapters organized in 2019!)
The most important part of ISACA’s professional community is the people. CommunITy Day is our day to show what we can accomplish through the dedication and passion of our members. Here’s how to get involved:
- Create an account! Create your free profile on Helper Helper, our sign-up and tracking tool for CommunITy Day participation.
- Sign Up! Check the app for any opportunities your chapter may be organizing or ISACA Global has added. New activities are added regularly! Time commitments vary based on your availability.
- Participate! Give back on 3 October 2020 and track your time in the app when you are done.
That sounds pretty simple, although admittedly we are not living in simple times. At the time of writing this blog, we remain in the midst of a global pandemic and are uncertain about what the next few months may look like. This uncertainty is all the more reason to join forces with ISACA members around the world; it is only through our individual efforts that we can make a strong collective impact.
In a time of feeling a bit out of control or helpless, there are ways to participate and causes that need you – and in many cases the needs have become even greater! We are offering a variety of virtual volunteer opportunities and encourage outdoor activities when possible, always keeping in mind your local government and health officials’ guidelines. Your health and safety are our top priorities, and we are confident that we can still come together – even when apart – to help others. I am so proud to be part of ISACA’s community.
Editor’s note: Learn more at https://engage.isaca.org/communityday/about. Questions? Email volunteer@isaca.org.
