Jump in And Help Out: teri mAcbride tAlkS AbOut vOlunteerinG in Her retirement

StorY/Photo:cinDYo. HErman

civic-minded parents showed teri macbride, of Lewisburg, the importance of volunteering. a two-year stint in albania serving with the U.s. Peace corps taught her the importance of trustworthy leadership to guide volunteer efforts. also having admired many other committed community volunteers, macbride determined she would lead an active and early retirement. “there are many excellent groups out there and causes i care about. in selecting which groups i actually work with, i assess the cause, whether they practice good governance and if activities are open and transparent,” she said. that interest in transparency was influenced in part by her experience in albania, where she served 2003 to 2005, as the country was moving out from under decades of a totalitarian, communist regime.

“People had a real distrust of organizations and government. incidentally it’s the same in this country now, too,” said macbride, who retired as regional affairs director of PPL Electric Utilities in may 2017, at the age of 59. “culturally they were not accustomed to volunteering outside of their house, and the family unit was everything.” macbride now volunteers at some level with nine organizations, frequently serving on managerial boards but also rolling up her sleeves physically.

“Every organization needs extra hands and good strategic leadership as well as strong fiscal management,” she said. “i feel that’s how i can make a difference. i like to build connections, avoid duplication and provide support and insights to ensure good governance and smart operations.”

Last year macbride was appointed to serve as a member of sEDa-coG’s natural Gas cooperative, helping businesses and neighborhoods get better access to Pennsylvania’s natural gas to be more competitive.

“the energy industry is changing rapidly,” she said, adding that helping businesses access affordable energy “fulfills an intellectual curiosity to learn more broadly about the energy industry and connect some dots.” macbride’s interests and career in electric energy also comes into play as a board director and member of the Facilities committee with the Union-snyder agency on aging.

“Her experience and background really lend themselves to us as an organization that aids seniors and is also responsible for four different properties,” said Holly Kyle, executive director. “she is so engaged in the community, it enables us to have broader connections. teri is just a very smart woman and very resourceful. Her broad experience has really helped us.” as a 20-year-member and former board member of the merrill W. Linn Land and Waterways conservancy, macbride enjoys working with other volunteers who share a commitment to preserving the natural beauty and open spaces of central Pennsylvania. because of that commitment she has pushed herself to campaign for funding so the conservancy can do more in the future.“Hardly anyone likes to ask for money,” she said. “it’s

Teri MacBride, of Lewisburg, always planned on being active in her retirement. Here is a list of the organizations where she now volunteers. • League of Women Voters of the Lewisburg Area • Merrill W. Linn Land and Waterways Conservancy • First Community Foundation

Partnership of Pennsylvania • Union-Snyder Agency on Aging • Camp Victory...A special camp for special kids • Billtown Blues Association Inc. • SEDA-COG Natural Gas Cooperative • Union County Higher Education

Facilities Financing Authority • Glenpool Club Inc.

uncomfortable sometimes, but because i believe in the organization and have confidence in how they use funds to do good work, it’s not so awkward, and very rewarding.” sometimes volunteer activities can coincide with more personal goals. shortly before retiring, macbride became recertified as a lifeguard at the Greater susquehanna Valley Ymca, in sunbury.

“i love to swim. it was a good match of my interests, and being a lifeguard benefits my own health,” she said. since then she has volunteered as a lifeguard at camp Victory, a columbia county camp for kids dealing with chronic illnesses, and at Glenpool club, in Lewisburg, where the pool sometimes had to close early when student lifeguards returned to school at the end of august.

“i’m happy that families and working people like me, before i retired, can swim through those last weeks of the summer,” macbride said. “We stayed open last year at Glenpool even after Labor Day, which was just terrific.” not surprisingly, she has also served as a board member at both Glenpool club and camp Victory. more recently macbride signed on with the billtown blues association, in Williamsport.

“What i love about teri and her contribution is that she’s looking at things in a fresh way,” said bonnie tallman, founding member and executive director of the billtown blues association. “an organization that’s 30 years old, with a very small number of volunteers, tends to do things the same way year after year. teri encourages what seems to be working and points out what needs to be reconsidered.”

“i saw how much billtown needs volunteers,” macbride said. “my husband and i both have a real interest in blues music. We started as ticket takers at concert events, and i now serve on the board as the secretary. one thing i can do is take minutes. that’s easy for me.” that matter-of-fact attitude of seeking out “one thing i can do” exemplifies macbride’s approach to volunteering. she strives to help organizations because she knows how even a small amount of effort can make a difference.

“Find what interests you,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to try new things. You get to develop new skills and meet new people along the way. it’s important and rewarding to do something for a cause you care about.” macbride praised her former employer PPL for its belief in strong community involvement.

“PPL fosters volunteerism and also matches employee and retiree dollar contributions,” she said. “i think that sets a really good tone and message. i just wish more companies would do that, and i believe they should.

“the needs are great. i see and admire many other people who jump in to an organization and get involved.” too many times, she’s seen people waiting to be asked to join an organization.

“building strong communities is not a spectator sport,” macbride said. “my advice is, jump in. Don’t wait. and if you know others who might be a good fit, ask them to join you. so many things are needed. Just jump in.”

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