With a shared love for their alma mater, the dedicated volunteers of the Ottawa Alumni Chapter Network are committed to fostering connections and creating fun experiences for fellow alumni living ‘afar’. At the heart of this group is committee chair Craig Haynes (BA’94), along with members Werner Disselkamp (BBA'92) and Janice Wopling (MBA'13).
Craig's journey as a volunteer for UNB began around 2017, when he attended a UNB recruitment event in Ottawa and expressed his desire to give back. As a former president of the UNB Saint John Students’ Representative Council, Craig already had a deep-rooted connection to UNB and was eager to keep the UNB spirit going in Ottawa.
So, he got to work!
Since then, Craig, Werner and Janice, along with several other committee volunteers, have been instrumental in organizing a number of annual alumni events in the city. As chair, Craig gathers the committee together twice a year to review previous events, plan their upcoming schedule and determine priorities based on the wants and interests of their alumni.
"In organizations like UNB you have that ability to connect, you have a shared experience with others, and you have the opportunity to contribute to a place that you want to keep in touch with."
From Ottawa Redblacks games, to museum tours, to bowling and brewery nights, the committee has welcomed many alumni and friends together to socialize and celebrate.
“The highlight for me is really seeing the repeat attendees,” says Craig. “Whether it’s at the football game or the art gallery, it’s a way of seeing people who wish to come out and find that connection to the university. It’s really nice to meet people in Ottawa who feel a connected to UNB.”
The success of the Ottawa Alumni Chapter Network is a true testament to the hard work and commitment of the committee. A team effort, Craig describes his fellow volunteers Werner and Janice as the ‘stalwarts’ of the committee and is grateful to UNB for bringing them together.
Beyond his involvement with UNB, Craig's passion for community engagement extends to other organizations as well. Among other things, he is active in his church and serves on the board of the National Capital Sommelier Guild. For him, volunteering is not just about giving back; it's about forging connections and contributing to the community in a meaningful way.
“Volunteering serves a lot of purposes. A lot of us want to socialize and have fun and connect with people. In organizations like UNB you have that ability to connect, you have a shared experience with others, and you have the opportunity to contribute to a place that you want to keep in touch with.”
A legacy of UNB alumni in his family, Craig reflects on his love for the university and his student experience. During his SRC presidency from 1992-1993, he strived to advocate for students and grow Saint John’s music scene by bringing high-calibre concerts to campus, such as Blue Rodeo among others. These experiences laid the groundwork for his continuous involvement today as an alum.
Looking ahead, Craig’s commitment to UNB and his local community is not slowing down anytime soon. With upcoming signature events approaching in the new year, there’s much to look forward to for the Ottawa Alumni Chapter Network.
