Atlas Corps volunteers are essential to the organization for making sure things run smoothly. Today, we would like to talk more about Atlas Corps Group Captains. Our Group Captains facilitate monthly peer coaching groups as part of our new Virtual Leadership Institute, an online learning community for global social change leaders from around the world.
Since launching the Virtual Leadership Institute, 40 leaders became our Group Captains helping Scholars create a productive environment for co-learning, develop leadership projects, and guide discussions about leadership and social impact. Today we talk with Kimberly, an excellent Group Captain for the Hilton Humanitarian Prize Laureate Virtual Leadership Institute.
 |
Name: Kimberly Norton Home Country: United States Current Organization: IDEXX Social Issue/Interest Area: Women’s Reproductive Rights Fun fact: I’ve been involved with Atlas Corps since 2008 while working for PAI, where I served as a social sponsor for 2 Atlas Corps Fellows, Pinky and Anna. They are incredible individuals and we are still in touch after all these years. |
Why did you decide to volunteer for Atlas Corps as a Group Captain?
After serving in other volunteer roles, I saw this opportunity and jumped at the chance to engage with Scholars that are participating in the Virtual Leadership Institute. I am with such an incredible group of leaders, whom I have learned so much from. Their passion and dedication are both impressive and inspirational. I feel so fortunate to have volunteered in this role and hope to do it again.
How has volunteering with Atlas Corps impacted you?
My continued involvement with Atlas Corps allows me to continue to give back by empowering the incredible social sector leaders across the world, despite my leaving the nonprofit world in 2010. Thirteen years since hosting my 2 Fellows at PAI, I am still inspired by Atlas Corps and their Scholars and Fellows. I absolutely love volunteering with Atlas Corps and it truly enriches my life!
What message would you like to send to individuals who are thinking of volunteering with Atlas Corps as a Group Captain?
What are you waiting for? While there is a monthly time commitment, you will not regret making this decision. It is important to be committed to this role because you will be working with a group of Scholars that are counting on you for your support and facilitation guidance in these monthly meetings. Atlas Corps does a great job laying out an agenda and providing all the resources needed to ensure you can be successful as a Group Captain.
Hilton Prize Scholar Fiona (Canada, Org: SOS Children’s Villages) reflects on the invaluable impact of Kristina’s leadership, “Kim was an excellent Group Captain; she was relatable, flexible, and energetic in every call. She took time to help me one-on-one when I needed it and I was surprised it was her first time in the role. She took it on confidently and made us feel welcome, adapted sessions based on our feedback, and became a voice for our concerns as well. I am thrilled that I ended up in Kim’s group and thank her deeply for making the experience so valuable.”
Hilton Prize Scholar Esther (Tanzania, Org: Heifer International) also shares, “I would like to say that the group meetings really stood out for me because every meeting was a progress step forward. We were able to learn, reflect and apply new insights and because of that, I was able to connect all this with my leadership project. Our Group Captain empowered us by giving us the opportunity to connect, participate and move forward. She brought in actions that inspired us to aspire more and become more. The Virtual Leadership Institute has given me the opportunity of becoming a game changer in my Southern Highlands community because I am now more confident and I know how to manage my leadership project from all that I have gained.”
Thank you, Kimberly and our hundreds of volunteers who help achieve the Atlas Corps mission every day. Learn more about becoming a volunteer at volunteer.atlascorps.org.
Celebrate 15 years of global impact with Atlas Corps! Join us to recognize this milestone anniversary and partner with our community of 1,100 social change leaders from 110 countries. Support Atlas Corps and empower our global community of changemakers who possess the training, skills, and network to solve the world’s most pressing issues. Will you make your #GlobalImpact with Atlas Corps?
Photo from Kimberly’s personal archive
