Sandy Mann

I spent 17 years at the Chicago Tribune in a variety of positions, the last being Payroll Manager. My work was all consuming and I did no volunteering, but my husband and I often talked about joining Peace Corps. So at age 40, we did that and it changed our lives.

It was wonderful to help people in another country but I knew the need was great back home. After living overseas for four years, I returned with the express purpose of learning everything I could about nonprofit management and finding a job in the social purpose world.

In December 2011, I retired after 14 years as the CEO/Executive Director for Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico. Every day I talked to our volunteers and heard them say how rewarding their time spent helping at the Ronald House was to them. As I planned for my retirement, I knew I needed to find a volunteer service that would give me a chance to use my professional skills while still helping those most vulnerable in our community.

I found what I needed in Assistance League of Albuquerque. This all-volunteer member organization provides critical help: we clothe schoolchildren; aid rape victims and children of domestic abuse; help women return to the workforce; and support senior artisans.

Assistance League wanted to develop an event unique to Albuquerque that would raise money to help more people. As the only current member with professional fundraising experience, I became part of the event committee. Each team member played an important role, but they relied on me to secure sponsors, to use my contacts with the media to promote the event, and to oversee the silent auction. I was busy, I was motivated, and best of all, my skills were needed and valued. Our event, called Antique or Unique, was held in March 2014 and netted nearly $20,000.

Many of my friends and colleagues have recently retired and, like me, are using their professional skills, while others have explored new areas where they have received specialized training. They are helping the library, mentoring a child, helping children read, packing food boxes at the local food bank, providing business consulting…the list is endless.

The most important message I want to get across is that volunteering makes you feel good – and it’s good for you. Retirement is not the end, it’s a new beginning and opportunities abound.