#CourageON: My full circle on the Social Good Summit 2025

Simply a few years in the past, I used to be a volunteer usher, quietly dreaming of becoming a member of Rappler. Now, right here I used to be, main a group and serving to make all of it occur, with the perfect folks I may ask to work alongside.

I nonetheless keep in mind my first Social Good Summit (SGS) in 2023. I used to be a volunteer then, assigned to usher folks out and in of the elevator. I joined as a result of I hoped to be a part of Rappler at some point, and volunteering felt like a small step towards that aim.

Quick ahead to 2025: I discovered myself again at SGS, however this time as the pinnacle of the volunteer committee.

Hey! I’m Joan, a group and civic engagement specialist at MovePH, Rappler’s civic engagement arm. At MovePH, we set up trainings and roadshows, inform tales about communities, and work with Movers, campus journalists, and civil society organizations throughout the Philippines to amplify native points.

You’d suppose being a part of Transfer would make me really feel extra assured about main a committee, but it surely was nonetheless nerve-wracking as a result of SGS occurs to be my first large occasion with Rappler. It didn’t assist that everybody round me, even these for whom this wasn’t their first rodeo, appeared nervous, too.

Ushering was additionally one thing I dreaded, even again in 2023 after I volunteered for it. I wouldn’t say I’m an introvert, however I’m fairly horrible at socializing. The concept of approaching folks, giving instructions, and presumably making errors made my abdomen twist. 

This 12 months’s SGS had a stellar lineup of audio system, and the group labored tirelessly to make this annual Rappler custom a significant expertise for our supporters. I didn’t need their expertise to be tainted by any misstep on my half as head of ushers.

However when the occasion lastly began and folks started strolling via the doorways, all of the nervousness pale. For the remainder of the day, I had only one aim: to ensure each attendee felt that their ticket — and their time — was price it.

We spent the entire day on our toes, transferring across the venue, taking turns grabbing a couple of minutes to eat every time we may. And amid all of the working round, some moments made me pause, not as a result of they have been loud or spectacular, however as a result of they jogged my memory how far a single determination, or a single hope, can take you.

Simply a few years in the past, I used to be a volunteer usher, quietly dreaming of becoming a member of Rappler. Now, right here I used to be, main a group and serving to make all of it occur, with the perfect folks I may ask to work alongside. 

It jogged my memory that each transfer we take, each selection to indicate up, can result in moments you by no means anticipated, which is precisely what this 12 months’s SGS theme is all about.

I’m additionally grateful to the ushers, who have been composed of Rapplers, interns, Movers, and companions. They made positive each attendee had the perfect expertise. Some even traveled from Batangas and Pangasinan, all displaying up for the individuals who consider in and stand by Rappler’s work.

Nevertheless, being the pinnacle of ushers got here with one large “con,” for those who ask me.

I had to ensure everybody acquired the seats they paid for, which meant I barely acquired an opportunity to look at Amal or George Clooney. 

However hey, silver lining: I did handle to snag a selfie with George!

It’s a nice privilege to be a part of one thing as significant as this, and assembly in individual the individuals who stand with us is sufficient of a reminder of why we proceed to persevere in doing trustworthy work.

Assist us proceed making our transfer and bringing occasions that matter by turning into a Rappler+ member at the moment. – Rappler.com