3 minute read
With Purpose
by TriDelta
Volunteer Spotlights
Born and raised on the small island of Moloka’i, Hawai’i, Sophia was initiated into Phi Rho Chapter in 2002 and is currently a behavior analyst for her alma mater, running a grant-funded program to provide behavioral services to underserved adults with serious mental health issues. She resides in Stockton, California, with her husband and two school-aged children.
What made you decide to volunteer for Tri Delta?
As a collegian, Sophia was inspired by the example set by her chapter advisors. “Seeing them and how involved they were, I didn’t think there was a choice. I thought you graduate and since Tri Delta is forever, you stay involved.” She took on the role of financial and administrative advisor, but when Phi Rho Chapter closed, staying active and keeping Tri Delta in her life became even more important.
Sophia shifted her focus to volunteering with her local alumnae chapter and at the national level. “I love Tri Delta. I tell people that joining was one of the best decisions of my life! The leadership and professionalism I learned from college and still today as a volunteer has molded me into who I am and I hope to provide that guidance and be a role model for the next generation.”
What do you get most out of volunteering?
Sophia finds the housing volunteer coordinator position interesting and rewarding. She appreciates working with other alumnae, sharing experiences and learning about other chapter houses. “What I love most about volunteering is helping people.” What has been your most memorable experience?
“Attending Convention and Volunteer Leaderhip Conference have been such great opportunities to learn a variety of new skills and meet women from all over the country and Canada—people from all walks of life and age ranges coming together for one shared purpose. I still can’t believe that I came from a tiny island and am involved in this huge, amazing organization.”
Caitlin Bush DeCastro, Wyoming LHC President
Caitlin was initiated into Theta Eta Chapter in 2013. After her time as an undergraduate, she stayed at the University of Wyoming to earn her master’s degree in botany. Caitlin and her husband now live in Austin, Texas, with their brand-new baby boy!
What made you decide to volunteer for Tri Delta?
Caitlin was strongly influenced as a collegian by fellow Wyoming alumna Tori Cambell, who visited the chapter as a member of Tri Delta’s Foundation Board of Trustees. “That’s what sparked it for me. I wanted to grow up and be like her!”
Staying involved in Tri Delta provided continuity with the transition as a graduate student while allowing her to stay close to her chapter. “I am really lucky that the Wyoming chapter sets a good example for volunteerism.” Caitlin’s first role was unofficially assisting the local alumnae chapter. Her first official position was alumnae specialist. “I loved learning about Tri Delta from different angles, specifically to see how larger chapters run and how they solve their issues.”
“My favorite role is the role I am in now—local house corporation (LHC) president. The Tri Delta house in Wyoming is 100 years old. It’s special and doesn’t feel like a dorm.” When the position opened, Caitlin wanted to take it on—even though she lives a few states away! “It is rewarding that I can do this job from Austin. Most of our house corporation volunteers are around my age or younger and we all grew up together in Tri Delta. So, we work as a team. They’ll fix the lawn or run to the bank while I handle paperwork or the corporate side of things. I love the connection between women, working with women and developing lifelong friendships. It also allows me to stay connected to my chapter.”
What has been your most rewarding experience?
Caitlin says her most rewarding experience was recent—when their house corporation was awarded a Housing Improvement Grant from Tri Delta Housing. “Our house is old and it’s always a balance between fixing things, keeping the house safe and decorating so it still looks young and fresh. Finding out that we got the grant was incredibly exciting and rewarding. We are using the grant to update our security systems.”
