Fred Chagnon
Where are you from?
London, ON
How long have you been volunteering?
5 Years
What inspired you to start volunteering?
I’m an optimizer. I always seeing ways things can be improved. Combine this with my desire to be part of the solution (rather than a squeaky wheel) and you get a serial volunteer.
In what capacities do you volunteer?
- Vice-President of the London Cycling Club
- Regional Vice-President of Randonneurs Ontario(Both clubs OC-sanctioned cycling clubs)
- Just came on as an NCCP-certified coach for Attack Racing
- I have a seat on Ontario Cycling’s Club Operations committee.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
Being an enabler for others to achieve great things for themselves, and creating memorable experiences along the way.
What has been your favourite memory of volunteering?
Planning the Fleche Ontario event in 2024. This endurance (randonneuring) event requires teams of 3-5 cyclists riding routes of 360kms or greater, all aiming to arrive at a common location by the end of the 24th hour (Peterborough in this case). Seeing 16 teams of cyclists (approx 50 riders) at the end point, each having ridden their own adventure, made me feel like we’d really created something special.
What advice would you give to a new volunteer or someone looking to get into volunteering?
We are all the benefactors of volunteerism. Pay it forward. Even if you can only help a little, someone will be benefitting as a result.
