Staying home the right move

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This article was published 22/03/2021 (1833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Many Winnipeggers have considered living elsewhere, and Jane Helbrecht is no exception.

In her 20s, Helbrecht thought about moving to see what another city might offer.

Now 36 and a valued volunteer who has contributed to a number of organizations, Helbrecht is glad she stayed.

“Volunteering has made me realize how incredible the community is and how generous the community is,” says Helbrecht, who serves as president on the board of directors at Prairie Theatre Exchange and as a member of United Way Winnipeg’s campaign cabinet. “For me, being involved has been a way to grow my connection to — and my affection for — our city and what we’re capable of.”

After graduating from the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba, Helbrecht started volunteering with Young Associates, a network of people who support business education in the province.

Through Young Associates, she connected with artScene Winnipeg, the local chapter of a national network of young professionals interested in supporting the arts.

In 2013, Young Associates and artScene partnered to present Board Link, an event aimed at connecting young professionals to board opportunities with local arts organizations.

Helbrecht was on the committee that planned the event, and her involvement led to joining the board at PTE.

It was a natural fit for Helbrecht, who has attended PTE, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and Royal Winnipeg Ballet performances since she was in university.

Helbrecht and her fellow board members ensure that the organization is following through with its mission to operate a high-calibre professional theatre.

In the past year, much of the board’s work has been focused on weathering the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting staff members through the difficult decisions they have had to make around changing the season.

“Though it’s been a really challenging year, it’s been in some ways a really encouraging year to see how agile the internal team at PTE is, and how they’ve been able to evolve and adjust based on the current circumstances,” Helbrecht says. “I’m super proud of the team and what they’ve been able to accomplish.”

For Helbrecht, highlights of serving on the board include working with a great group of staff and board members, promoting Canadian playwrights, and being privy to conversations surrounding the nature of art and what can be performed on stage.

“I really feel PTE is asking these big questions about art and what the future of theatre could look like.”

In addition to her work with PTE and United Way Winnipeg, Helbrecht previously volunteered as co-chair of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Barre After Hours fundraising event, which engaged a younger generation in supporting and patronizing the arts.

Her various involvements have allowed her to try things and “stretch some muscles” she doesn’t necessarily exercise in her day job as a partner with human resources company Acuity HR Solutions.

Her many contributions caught the attention of Manitoba 150, the organization responsible for celebrating the province’s sesquicentennial.

She was recently named as part of Honour 150, a list of 150 Manitobans who have made significant contributions through their volunteer efforts.

“It’s a lovely honour,” Helbrecht says. “I also feel I know a zillion other people who could be on this list. I look at my fellow board members at PTE or the campaign cabinet at United Way — all of these people could be on this list. I feel like I’m representing them.”

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.