Why I Joined The MPV Board
As someone who has worked in the nonprofit field for over twenty years, I am often asked to serve on boards, but I usually kindly decline these requests. However, when I was invited to serve on MPV’s board of trustees, I eagerly accepted the offer. So, why did I join the MPV Board?
First, is my alignment with the values of the organization. I believe that values aren’t simply statements on a piece of paper or words buried on a website; rather our values should guide our actions on a daily basis. When I choose to work for or volunteer with an organization, I look for one that shares my values of equity, equality, diversity and inclusion. What I love about MPV is that these values are embedded in Islamic principles.
When an organization is rooted to its values, it attracts a group of people who share those values, which adds to the sense of community and belonging. From the board level to chapter volunteers, whenever I’m with a group of fellow MPV members, it feels like we’ve known each other for years. It’s a sense of being understood without having to explain. This sense of community is so needed as we face challenges otherness in our daily lives.
Most importantly, as a mother of a teenage son, I am troubled by the trends of isolation and disconnection among youth that I see reported in surveys and findings. Because Muslims are the youngest faith community in America, we will feel the impact of this trend at a larger extent. My hope is that we can address this by developing programs in which our youth see themselves in a positive light, where they value themselves, their culture, and their community- whatever they choose that to be.
Finally, I was excited to see Ani and the board’s vision for the future. As an organization, we are at a pivotal stage in which we celebrate the accomplishments of the past, but also transition our programming to better serve the next generation. I am thrilled about the board’s commitment to make this happen and that is why I agreed to serve on the MPV board. I look forward to getting to know more of you and building our community together.
With gratitude,