Why I Choose to Volunteer: Melanie Holwood, National Finance Director
Alpha Xi Delta is celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 21-27, 2024! Alpha Xi Delta is so lucky to have many wonderful volunteers who keep inspiring our women to realize their potential. Melanie Holwood Webb, West Chester ‘04, is Alpha Xi Delta’s National Finance Director and has volunteered for the Fraternity for over fifteen years. Hear from her about her volunteer journey and the benefits she’s received from volunteering:
“I became a volunteer after Sharon Richardson, University of Texas ‘75, a fellow longtime volunteer, recruited me after working with my initiating chapter, West Chester University. The benefits of volunteering have been being able to give back to collegiate chapters and being a support that my chapter was lucky to have with our amazing Chapter Advisor, Missie Steigerwalt, West Chester ‘97. Having Missie’s support as an undergraduate truly changed my collegiate experience and I wanted to be that for the chapters that I have worked with.
I have been able to meet some of my closest friends who are other volunteers working with different chapters and have traveled with them to conferences. Some of my fondest and funniest travel stories have come from those trips. Being able to see all my fellow volunteers and Sisters every two years at National Convention is something that I look forward to. In addition, meeting the collegiate women at Convention that I have worked with has also provided a lot of joy to hear how I have helped their chapter.
Another amazing benefit has been being able to install four chapters in our great Fraternity and see how that process happens. From the initial presentation to the college Panhellenic extension committee to the selection of new members and officers to the Chapter Installation Ceremony is truly joyful.
Lastly as National Finance Director, I have been able to help chapters under finances better, have greater financial stability, and have felt a lot of joy in knowing that I have been able to have an impact nationwide and not just chapters in the Northeast Territory. That feeling of giving back is astounding.
Melanie is pictured in the center at Convention 2019.
If you have thought about volunteering, you should do it. Whether you have a lot of time to commit or even just a few hours a month, there is a volunteer spot for you in Alpha Xi Delta. Being a volunteer for the last 16 years has given me a healthy boost of self-confidence, life satisfaction, and better self-esteem. Knowing that you are giving back and doing substantial things to advance the empowerment of women, fraternity and sorority life, and our Fraternity not only connects you to our community but will provide you with a natural sense of accomplishment that you cannot find anywhere else.
Interested in volunteering? Visit our Volunteer Opportunities webpage to learn more.