National Volunteer Month is celebrated in the United States every April to honor and recognize the contributions of those who give their time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.
Evolving from National Volunteer Week, which was established in 1974, National Volunteer Month serves as both a celebration of volunteerism and a call to action, encouraging more people to get involved in community service and civic engagement.
Of course, PPAI is driven by members like you. Industry volunteers play an essential role in defining our strategy and shaping the industry. Volunteering your time for a committee or action group is a great way to make an impact on your business, your regional association and the entire market.
Below are a handful of PPAI volunteers who’ve shared why they dedicate their time and effort to the Association.
Taschereau is the chair of the PPAI Board of Directors and chair of the International Committee.
Why do you volunteer with PPAI?
Taschereau: PPAI is a membership organization – and it needs its members’ voices to be relevant. I’m passionate about shaping the future of the industry to be resilient, modern and a benchmark for responsible business, so it makes sense that volunteering with PPAI was the right choice for my time. Also, the board and staff are awesome, and the members are passionate and a ton of fun to be around.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
Taschereau: Volunteering with PPAI has helped me stay on top of my game regarding industry trends and issues and I’ve built an incredible network of industry professionals that are now just a phone call away. It’s so refreshing to connect with entrepreneurs and business leaders dealing with the same business model, value chain and issues/opportunities as me.
Rosin is incoming chair of the PPAI Board of Directors and current committee chair of the Government Relations Action Council, which supports and drives the industry in identifying and influencing legislation and regulations affecting the promotional products industry at all levels of government.
Why do you volunteer with PPAI?
Rosin: Volunteering with PPAI is where some of my dreams and my day job get to coexist. It gives me an opportunity to be a bit rebellious – to push for change in an industry I care deeply about. It’s the perfect way to merge caring with positive change.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
Rosin: Volunteering with PPAI delivers a good mix of leading and learning how to lead better. I get to be both a teacher and a student. The opportunity to serve with talented peers creates a sense of belonging and access to diverse thinking and friendships. It’s both a responsibility and a privilege to do a small part in helping evolve an entire industry that I love and that has nurtured my growth and Brand Fuel’s success.
Marshall is committee chair of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Action Group, which increases the visibility of underrepresented groups within the industry’s workforce and inspires industry business leaders to embrace inclusive, unbiased business practices.
Why do you volunteer with PPAI?
Marshall: Volunteering is in me. I truly believe it was passed down by my grandmother, who taught me to always show up for others. Giving my time to PPAI has not only helped me grow professionally, but it’s also expanded my community in the most genuine way. Every event feels like a family reunion – good energy, familiar faces, real connections and purpose-driven work.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
Marshall: Volunteering is one of the purest forms of joy – it asks for nothing yet gives everything. It fills my cup in ways I didn’t know was needed.
Reed is chair of the Technology Committee, which is responsible for providing technology-related education and guidance to PPAI staff and association members to enable a more efficient industry.
Why do you volunteer with PPAI?
Reed: To hopefully make a difference in the industry. It allows the opportunity to have a positive impact, connect with the PPAI community, understand the trials and tribulations that everyone is experiencing as well as aligning with my values of giving back and helping where I can with my experience.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
Reed: The learning aspect of it, which comes in multiple facets. Learning about problems, different solutions, how to best serve the community, best practices, etc.
Bozeman is committee chair of the Awards and Recognition Action Group, which engages members by ensuring the relevance, prestige and overall experience of the industry’s most recognized and coveted awards.
Why do you volunteer with PPAI?
Bozeman: After having experience in the association world, I understand the importance of volunteerism to keep momentum for industry initiatives. It’s pivotal for any member-driven organization or industry.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
Bozeman: I’m thankful to be in a position that enables me to dedicate some time to volunteer for the Association and industry that has given so much to me. It’s a way of paying back and forward at the same time. Selfishly, it’s also very rewarding to work with fellow members to achieve common goals for the greater good and then watch that work come to fruition.
Beard is committee chair of the Promotional Products Education Foundation, which provides college scholarships to promotional products industry employees and their children.
Why do you volunteer with PPAI?
Beard: I volunteer and give my time to PPAI because it’s one of our industry’s strongest partners and foundations. PPAI not only provides knowledge, networking and education but also supports innovation which will enable our future generations.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
Beard: The people I meet, the insights I gain and the opportunities to make our industry stronger.
Chair of the Regional Relations Committee, which is the channel for clear communication and collaboration between regional associations and PPAI.
Why do you volunteer with PPAI?
Lazarus: For starters, I love building connections. Being part of the Regional Relations Committee has given me a chance to unite people from different regions for the purpose of collaboration. I enjoy being a bridge between communities and relationship-building is energizing. Being a second-generationer in this fun industry was the catalyst for getting involved and I haven’t left because it’s what I know and love. I have always believed that promotional products provide a creative, dynamic space and I care about helping the industry grow and thrive.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
Lazarus: Volunteering is a rewarding giveback to an industry that has given me so much. Through my role, I have gotten to shape regional strategies, enhance communication, and have supported regional leaders – this is a small way to help move the industry forward. I have always enjoyed leadership. I have gotten involved by influencing decision-making and mentoring others, which have set the tone for process. Bringing people together has been great and we have solved some challenges while celebrating some victories and progress. It has been great to create spaces where others feel seen and heard.
Gigot is co-chair of the Sustainability Action Group, which provides insights regarding sustainability to help PPAI educate members and maximize adoption of best practices.
Why do you volunteer with PPAI?
Gigot: I volunteer with PPAI to partner with other suppliers and distributors within promo to drive sustainable practices in our industry.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
Gigot: I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to connect with others working in sustainability to learn and share ideas and best practices.
O’Connor is the chair of the Leadership Action Committee, which is responsible for seeking, vetting and developing qualified industry professionals to serve and perform in a leadership role on the PPAI Board.
Why do you volunteer with PPAI?
O’Connor: I volunteer with PPAI because it’s important that I do my part for the industry that has been so great to me throughout my career. There is so much work that goes on within PPAI. I immediately felt welcome within the Association and I’m glad to help support PPAI’s efforts to improve our industry.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
O’Connor: I’ve built fantastic new relationships and met so many amazing people by getting involved and volunteering. I’m always learning from our industry leaders. Volunteering my time has helped me grow as a professional so that I can hopefully do even more to help PPAI in the future.
Church has served on the Professional Development Committee, which provides advice and direction on education opportunities that will speak to PPAI members to advance the knowledge and professionalism of the promotional products industry.
Why do you volunteer with PPAI?
Church: The sense of purpose and giving back through community engagement is one that I am thankful both my parents and grandparents instilled in me at a young age. My grandfather would take me to his Kiwanis and Rotary clubs and my dad would take me to his AMBUCS and Chamber of Commerce meetings. At the beginning of the pandemic, several volunteer commitments I was involved in were coming to an end and I wanted to continue to be involved in ways that would represent product quality and regulatory compliance.
The Professional Development Committee had an opening and was a perfect fit as the committee was tasked during my tenure with reviewing content for the certification program and general course content. After hitting the committee term limit, I welcomed the opportunity to join the Product Responsibility Action Group. Volunteering gives me the opportunity for professional growth by increasing my personal knowledge regarding the promotional products industry and its challenges that I otherwise would not be exposed to as an industry service provider.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
Church: I enjoy meeting and getting to know other committee members who represent a cross section of PPAI’s membership. Giving back, meeting new people and hopefully making a positive contribution by volunteering are rewarding.
