Maureen describes herself as a professional volunteer dedicated to serving her local community and Tri Delta for more than 30 years. She is a proud mother of three grown children and a grandmother to six. She lives in the picturesque Finger Lakes region of upstate New York on Cayuga Lake, sharing her life with two dogs and her college sweetheart husband of 38 years.
Maureen jokes that she has held almost every volunteer position during her time, including alumna advisor, collegiate chapter specialist, alumnae chapter president and local house corporation president. In addition, Maureen has served on the Leadership Cultivation and Selection Committee and as a Director on the Tri Delta Housing Board, among other roles. She is currently the collegiate chapter coordinator for Region 2, overseeing 14 chapters. Maureen reflects on her extensive journey with Tri Delta as she approaches the end of her current role.
What made you decide to volunteer for Tri Delta?
“It all began on a memorable homecoming weekend in 1992 at Cornell. I returned for homecoming, and my former chapter advisor trapped me in the TV room until I said yes! It sounds outlandish, but that’s how it all started.”
What do you love most about your current position?
“It’s something different every day! I’m learning every day. It’s rewarding to look back and see how we do things differently now while always finding new ways to grow.”
What do you get most out of volunteering?
“Camaraderie—often with other coordinators, especially in my current role. We share a vision moving forward. It’s all about sisterhood, and I truly love donating my time and energy to the organization that gave me so much.”
What is your most memorable experience as a volunteer?
“I had a moment of realization in the 1990s when I was an alumna advisor working on standards. The collegiate women worked on some difficult issues, and as a more experienced woman, I could provide resources they wouldn’t have known about. I realized I was making a difference, not just a warm body signing forms. I felt like I was giving back to Tri Delta and came to understand the bigger picture—that we are always sisters, there to support one another.”
What advice do you have for other Tri Deltas thinking about volunteering?
“My advice is to just go for it. Find out what positions are available and go for it. It will end up being so rewarding. I always say this: I love my collegiate experience but treasure my alumnae years more. I have Tri Delta friends and sisters from every chapter, and I love them all equally. As a collegiate member, we were in a bubble in a way. As a volunteer, I’m part of a larger organization, and all these women are my sisters. The relationships I’ve developed are invaluable, and while I’m not getting paid, the rewards are immense.”