Volunteer Profiles

Alice B

dave — 2007-11-08T20:35:33Z

The group is guided by compassion and action. I have found this to be a rarity amongst student and activist groups, especially the action part.

Hometown:: Ann Arbor, MI
Volunteer activities:: Leafleting, proofreading newsletters, articles, and grants, assisting with random tasks in the office, calling volunteers, sometimes planning events.
Why I got involved in CAA:: The name lays it out, really. The group is guided by compassion and action. I have found this to be a rarity amongst student and activist groups, especially the action part. CAA is efficient and proficient, and I am proud to be a part.
Interesting fact:: I sing really badly and really loudly. I have the utmost love for elephants. I make silly faces without realizing it. I am bouncy and happy and sometimes goth. I am an enigma wrapped in a mystery wrapped in pajamas.
Favorite quote:: I fight for love every day of my life / And every day of my life / I fight for love. -Traditional Methods

Amy B

dave — 2007-07-06T17:18:14Z

I have worked with a great group of other volunteers to plan the 3rd annual CAA Banquet. I also do the accounting work and send out thank-you letters to our donors.

Hometown:

Richfield, Minnesota

Volunteer activities:

I have worked with a great group of other volunteers to plan the 3rd annual CAA Banquet. I also do the accounting work and send out thank-you letters to our donors. Finally, I love to assist in decorating for potlucks and when I have time I try to table.

Why I got involved in CAA:

I remember the first time I came in contact with this Compassionate Action for Animals. It was about three years ago today when I got my very first "Why Vegan" pamphlet from a CAA leafletter (whom I later learned was Jason Ketola) when I was a student at Inver Hills Community college. I opened it up and read through the entire thing. That very same day I decided to go vegan. I had never learned abut factory farming or the cruel treatment to so many farm animals. I never gave a thought to the meat I was eating before this. I never asked what were the environmental impacts of this meat and how does the animal I am eating feel and get treated during its short life. Realizing how many other people most likely have not been informed about this I wanted to help get the information out. It wasn't until about 6 months later when I would run into CAA again.

I had just transferred to The U of MN and on this fated day in particular my friend Jeff had dragged me with him to the U of MN's community involvement fair. Walking to and away from the different tables I ran into CAA table. I got pretty excited, and filled out a volunteer form. The next week I attended the new member meeting, and took on my first outreach activity. I remember this activity in particular. I had agreed to take on our Halloween Outreach. I had a few days to plan for it. I didn't have a lot of volunteers that were able to help on such short notice. It was a chilly October day outside Coffman and I was dressed in my bunny attire with my vegan friendly candy and handout ready to give the candy and info to the masses. Some people just walked by rolling their eyes, some were welcoming and took the candy and pamphlet graciously, while some just took the candy. Thought their was some low points of the day I will never forget the girl that was so excited to take the handout and candy, she explained to me, "My sister will be so happy about this - she just went vegan and I know she will appreciate this. Thank you." Ever since this I have been volunteering with CAA doing tabling, event planning, outreach, decorating and accounting. I stick with them because I believe in how we go about our mission.

Interesting fact:

Growing up my nickname has always been smiley. I have been told I would always try to cheer people up with my smiling or telling really lame jokes, jokes I still tell to this day. I share my birthday with my elder sister of one year, and she calls us year apart twins.

Favorite quote:

Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray!

Ben A

dave — 2007-11-08T20:35:06Z

I went vegan after learning about animal cruelty. Then when I read A Meaningful Life by Matt Ball I decided that I needed to become deeply involved in working against animal cruelty.

Hometown:: Minneapolis, MN
Volunteer activities:: Midwest Leafleting Tour, camping trip, MN College Leafleting Day, and attending dine outs!
Why I got involved in CAA:: I went vegan after learning about animal cruelty. Then when I read A Meaningful Life by Matt Ball I decided that I needed to become deeply involved in working against animal cruelty. CAA was by far the most effective group around to do this with. Lucky me!
Interesting fact:: I have a bachelors of science degree in mathematics, and I work as a short-order cook.
Favorite quote:: The question is not, "Can they reason?" nor, "Can they talk?" but rather, "Can they suffer?" - Jeremy Bentham

Britta A

Gil — 2007-11-08T20:34:09Z

I am only a recently a member of the vegetarian community so when I heard CAA was offering internships for the summer I thought it might be a good way to get involved and learn more about issues I care about.

Hometown:: Stillwater, MN
Volunteer activities:: Graphic design for promotional materials including t-shirt and other fun stuff, also miscellaneous office tasks and some leafleting too.
Why I got involved in CAA:: I am only a recently a member of the vegetarian community so when I heard CAA was offering internships for the summer I thought it might be a good way to get involved and learn more about issues I care about. The timing was really perfect to get involved in something like this, especially being an art major where I get to combine creativity with activism.
Interesting fact:: My name was originally spelled with one "t". I enjoy making books.

Ivan M

dave — 2007-07-09T18:26:12Z

I helped set-up the 2007 Veg Valentines potluck as well as leaflet, pamphlet, and organize events such as the Dr. Greger "Avian Flu and the Plight of Poultry" event.

Hometown:: Anoka, Minnesota
Volunteer activities:: I helped coordinate the 2007 Veg Valentines potluck and MN College Leafleting Day, as well as regular leaflets and organize events such as the Dr. Greger "Avian Flu and the Plight of Poultry"event.
Why I got involved in CAA:: I have been vegan since May 28, 2004, when I watched "Meet your Meat," and read Veganism in a Nutshell. During this time, I had visited the University of Minnesota to watch Peaceable Kingdom with a vegan friend. When I learned about CAA, I was ecstatic, since I knew that I wanted to attend the U of M. Finally, Fall of 2006 rolled around, which allowed me to join one of the most impressive animal rights groups - Compassionate Action for Animals.
Interesting fact:: I have taken two years of Tae Kwon Doe, which allowed me to reach brown belt; I plan to resume taking Tae Kwon Doe lessons during the summer. Lately, I exercise at the Recreation Center on campus to try to stay healthy.
Favorite quote:: You put a baby in a crib with an apple and a rabbit. If it eats the rabbit and plays with the apple, I'll buy you a new car - Harvey Diamond

Jacqui W

Gil — 2007-11-08T20:31:52Z

Cage-free eggs at the University of Minnesota, public access campaign, leafleting, sticker contest, help out at food giveaways, participate in random events.

Hometown:: Chanhassen, MN
Volunteer activities:: Cage-free eggs at the University of Minnesota, public access campaign, leafleting, sticker contest, help out at food giveaways, participate in random events.
Why I got involved in CAA:: I was my high school's Earth Club leader and we were planning on donating our money to a animal rights organization one year. So, I did my research and found CAA to be the best group in Minnesota. Apparently I must have signed myself up to volunteer without realizing it, and was all of a sudden receiving many calls from the group asking me to help out...so I did. And have been a satisfied volunteer ever since. I went vegetarian when I was 15 for environmental and health reasons, but CAA has helped me open my eyes to the greater issue of animal cruelty and has provided me a place of refuge and education when the pressure to eat meat seems to overwhelming and disturbing.
Interesting fact:: I am in love with my guitar, we make beautiful music together
Favorite quote:: Ma gavte la nata (take out the cork)

Justin L

Gil — 2008-08-26T17:09:52Z

I got involved with CAA out of my passion for animal rights. After seeing images of factory farming, I knew that I needed to do something positive with the strong emotions that I was feeling.

Hometown:: Hagerstown, Maryland
Volunteer activities:: Conference Committee (2008), conference volunteer coordinator (2008), help with yard sale (2005), donor barbeque planning committee (2007), tabling for Freshmen Orientation (2006)
Why I got involved in CAA:: I got involved with CAA out of my passion for animal rights. After seeing images of factory farming, I knew that I needed to do something positive with the strong emotions that I was feeling. For this reason, I began volunteering for local groups that focus on humane education. Also, I wanted to meet some like-minded folks.
Interesting fact:: I graduated from the Juilliard School in 2001 with a degree in dance. I moved to Minneapolis to join the James Sewell Ballet in 2002. In addition to my work with James Sewell Ballet, I am a dancer teacher, choreographer, singer, and actor. I most recently produced "Broadway Bound...and Gagged," a bawdy cabaret show at the Bryant-Lake Bowl Theater.
Favorite quote:: The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men. -Alice Walker

Suzanne S

Gil — 2007-11-08T20:34:29Z

I like the notion of taking action to raise awareness and there are a variety of outlets for this through CAA. If everyone knew what we know, the world would be a different place.

Hometown:: Mt. Pleasant, IA
Volunteer activities:: Coordinating the 2007-2008 book club, adopting a vegetarian starter kit stand, and helping during veg pledge week!
Why I got involved in CAA:: I met members of the organization at other veg-friendly events. I like the notion of taking action to raise awareness and there are a variety of outlets for this through CAA. If everyone knew what we know, the world would be a different place.
Interesting fact:: I'm a huge fan of fantasy books & karate (purple belt), I love to volunteer at Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah where, as a city girl, I get a chance to get up close and personal with the animals.
Favorite quote:: I did not become a vegetarian for my health, I did it for the health of the chickens. -Isaac Bashevis Singer