Editor’s note: ISACA’s annual day of global volunteering, CommunITy Day, is quickly approaching! On 7 October 2023, ISACA communities around the world will spend time giving back to their local communities, starting with a kickoff event in Auckland, New Zealand. ISACA Now recently caught up with Sandra Whitehead from the ISACA Auckland Chapter to chat about all things CommunITy Day and volunteering. Learn how you can get involved at engage.isaca.org/events/communityday.
ISACA Now: How did your career path lead you to ISACA?
I started my career in accounting, worked my way into internal and IT audit, and developed a love for technology. I then spent a couple of years working the IT risk, assurance and advisory capacities, before recently taking up a role as senior manager in IT governance. I have great passion for problem-solving and continuous improvement, which is a great fit with my current role. I’m also a continual learner, so much of my free time goes into studies of all sorts, but I do love the occasional escape from reality, by indulging in series and movies. I first got involved late last year in ISACA Auckland by serving on the events committee, with my primary aim to promote SheLeadsTech and uplift its CommunITy Day involvement.
ISACA Now: What made you want to get involved with CommunITy Day?
I have always had a particular passion for volunteering and even spent some time as CSR coordinator alongside my day-to-day role a few years ago. Similarly, I have always advocated for my workmates to go volunteering together, knowing how incredibly rewarding it can be and how much the non-profit sector needs and appreciates volunteer efforts. So, when the opportunity to coordinate CommunITy Day presented itself, I grabbed it with both hands.
ISACA Now: What do you hope to accomplish on this year’s CommunITy Day?
My aim with the ISACA Auckland CommunITy Day is absolutely to provide our members with a set of choices to participate with inclusivity in mind. Therefore, we’re partnering with Doughnut Economics Advocates NZ (DEANZ) this year, as they offered a variety of options in terms of location and activity type. Below is an extract from their website as an introduction to them:
Doughnut Economics Advocates New Zealand (DEANZ) is an advocacy group for people who are concerned about the threat to the ecological balance presented by climate change and environmental degradation, and the threat to the social balance presented by the relentless pursuit of GDP growth. DEANZ members are committed to work towards a sustainable ecological and cultural future by putting into action the concept of Doughnut Economics. Our goal is to encourage attitude and behavioral change from a growth-led to a sustainability-led economy through effective communication and education.”
Among their various projects, DEANZ runs “Repair Cafes” in different locations throughout the year, where members of the immediate community can bring along a range of household items to be repaired by volunteers. These events not only offer a way to prolong the useful life of those items, thereby reducing waste, but also provide assistance to members of the community who simply cannot afford replacements. The ISACA Auckland CommunITy Day will support two of these events, along with a working bee at a local school for the green thumbs among our members.
We’re hoping these activities will make a meaningful impact within our region.
ISACA Now: Why should folks participate in CommunITy Day?
I would always encourage folks to get involved in volunteering, as it offers the opportunity to learn about the world of non-profits and the people or causes they support. Simultaneously, it is incredibly rewarding to participate in volunteer events or volunteering regularly, and if you volunteer in your team, it even boosts team bonding and morale!
