National Volunteer Week: Nick Finn

Today we’re celebrating Nick Finn who’s been volunteering as a White Hat Volunteer at YYC. Having worked as a consultant in transportation planning and engineering, Nick is no stranger to helping passengers find their way through the YYC Calgary International Airport. The 70-year-old from Guildford, England has been volunteering with the White Hat Volunteer Program for just over five years.

Shift: Tuesdays, 2 to 6 p.m.

Start Date: Nov. 2, 2013.

Age: 70-years-old.

How long have you been volunteering for YYC? Just over five years.

How often do you volunteer?

Once a week with the White Hat Volunteer Program. I’ll volunteer when needed with the Go Team. [The Go Team are mentors to all White Hat Volunteers, they provide support to shift mates and are trusted advisors to new volunteers and a welcoming influence for volunteers covering shifts.]

Why do you volunteer at YYC?

I worked in transportation throughout my career and still have some minor involvement. I like helping people navigate their way through the airport. I also thought I could use my language skills here at YYC because there’s people coming from Germany, France and so forth. I speak Germen, French, Russian and a bit of Spanish.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering at YYC?

I like to help people. It’s meaningful when you can help someone who’s really confused or nervous light up a bit when you get them to where they need to be.

What do you do when you’re not volunteering?

I volunteer at a women’s emergency shelter in Calgary, and I give plasma every week at the Canadian Blood Services. As far as hobbies, I like to play tennis, ski, hike, golf and swim. I also sing with my wife in the Parkdale United Church Choir. I love languages. Learning about the English language and other languages is a big interest of mine.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I think that the White Hat Volunteers are very important to the airport. I greatly value the experience that the other White Hat Volunteers have. There are volunteers that have been here for more than 20 years. We’re a team. We’re all here to help people and try to make the travel experience fun.

Thank you to Nick for helping our guests navigate through our airport! Click here to read more about our White Hat volunteer program.

National Volunteer Week runs from April 7 – 13. The Calgary Airport Authority wouldn’t be the same without our volunteers. To honour our volunteers during this week, we’re profiling one each day during National Volunteer Week. We’re also celebrating our White Hatters with a dinner and dance on April 7, and we’re thanking our Pre-Board Pals with a fun evening on April 11. Take a moment this week to thank a volunteer. They all make the guest experience extra special here at YYC and we couldn’t do it without them