Anne Hagman: 'People connector'

IN PERSON

Whether it's money matters or finding a career path, Anne Hagman loves helping students hop on the track of life.

The business development director at Idaho Central Credit Union, who was named Volunteer of the Year at the recent Post Falls Chamber of Commerce banquet, said when she wanted to take a break from college in her late teens her mother, Nancy Harlocker, reminded her about the importance of staying on track to finish.

"For the rest of my life, it told people that I finished what I started," Hagman said.

Hagman organizes the annual Reverse Job Fair for local high school students in which the students interview professionals to explore career paths. She also organizes industry tours for students to local businesses, a purse benefit for Children's Village and a pajama drive for kids in need.

Hagman said she learned at a young age that, if you do the best job you possibly can, good things will happen and you'll grow as a person.

"I grew up working in a retail store and, at the age of 9, stood on a stool and used the cash register, counted change back, learned about inventory and retail management and learned how to spot a shoplifter," she said.

Hagman, who grew up in Hawaii, said she realized the importance of staying on task when she entered a lei contest in elementary school.

"The lei was not very attractive, but I won the contest because I followed directions," she said.

Hagman likes to think of herself as a "people connector" more than a volunteer.

"I like to help people find jobs, romance, volunteer opportunities, board opportunities, things that make their hearts sing," she said. "That is what really drives what I do."

Describe all the ways you've volunteered in the community in recent years and why you decided to volunteer in those ways.

Recent volunteer involvement includes the Reverse Job Fair, being a table captain for Tesh, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Partners in Business, chambers of commerce (Post Falls, Hayden and Coeur d’Alene), St. Vincent de Paul, Children’s Village, EXCEL Foundation, North Idaho College Foundation and recently Jobs Plus. Each one has a funny little story tied to it. I was never a Boy Scout or a Girl Scout, but the people who invited me to help were people I respect and have good relationships with, and it gives me the opportunity to find people who were Boys Scouts and Girls Scouts the opportunity to give back. With Tesh, it’s all about relationships with people in that organization and time spent on site visiting with their clients. You can’t help but fall in love with their cause. If any organization can help a person change their life, St. Vincent de Paul can, so I feel compelled to advocate for all they do. Plus, I really love their employees from every level of the organization. I was given credit for helping the Children’s Village purse sale, but I must confess, I love the purse sale. It’s a very clever fundraiser, plus I like to shop there, and then Heidi Rogers challenged me to collect more purses than she did, and I love a challenge. Plus, I adore Christina Hull, their development person. It’s much more than just volunteering.

Share specific examples of why organizing the Reverse Job Fair is so rewarding.

The Reverse Job Fair truly brings a community together. It’s a place where business and education truly unite. Adults have the meaningful opportunity to truly connect with a student and leave the event reassured that the future is in good hands, and that our school districts are doing a great job. The students leave the event feeling validated by the community they will continue their lives in. Everyone wins. My favorite part of this event is spending time with the students before hundreds of volunteers (the professionals who do the interviews) arrive, and letting the students know that in fact the adults are nervous and they need to make the adults feel at ease. Everyone thinks it’s the kids who are nervous, but it’s really the adults.

Why are kids, who you assist through benefits, so close to your heart?

The common thread continues to be connecting people. The need for these pajamas, provided by OASIS who removes children from at-risk homes or crime scenes is heartbreaking and real. But at the time the idea came to me, I was sitting next to one of my favorite fun friends, Jame’ Davis, and suggested we have a "pajama party" – people can wear their pajamas to the party (my kind of party) and bring pajamas as a donation to OASIS. Everyone wins. Jame’ jumped right on board and voila, a pajama party was born.

How did the Reverse Job Fair come about?

The Reverse Job Fair idea came from Sherry Wallis. I had a new job at that time and was growing my relationships with the Post Falls Chamber and the Post Falls School District, so I was at the meeting when Sherry Wallis told us about an event she saw in Spokane and wanted to bring to Post Falls and take it to a higher level. People like Debra Wunderlich, Pam Houser, Jerry Keane, Becky Ford, David Risdon and Jennifer Maddy (a Post Falls High School teacher) identified that vision. It was their passion for this opportunity that caught my attention, and I’ve been there ever since.

How many hours do you think you put in each year for the reverse job fair?

I have no idea. I start working on the event about four months out, so a wild guess would be 100 hours. I’m not sure it’s even a labor of love. It’s just love. I work with the most amazing people on this event. I meet the most amazing people at this event. I want everyone to have the opportunity to be part of this event, because I know they will walk away feeling good. We built a model that broke volunteer duties into bite-sized pieces so we don’t overwhelm the volunteers and actually make their jobs easy. Because of this we have the same leaders year after year, and we don’t have trouble finding new leaders when we have to. It’s a tiny bit stressful for me right now, six weeks from the event, and I make noise about letting someone else lead it, but on the actual day, I am so giddy from the good that happens at the event that I tend to show up again the next year.

What are some things that most people don't know about you?

Not much. If you know me, you know I wear my heart on my sleeve and share too much.

When did you start volunteering in this community and take me back to the time you decided to get involved and why? (What were you doing at the time?)

It was 1995, I worked for Crown Pacific. I was introduced to International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It started with my selling raffle tickets, next I was a chapter president, and then I ran the Boss of the Year contest for a bunch of years. I remember a co-worker at Crown Pacific who couldn’t wait to buy raffle tickets, couldn’t wait to support the cause, and I was so impressed with that. That is how this community is – always stepping up to make a difference. It’s contagious.

Describe what your upbringing was like and where was it?

I grew up in Honolulu and moved to Hilo (Hawaii) when I was 9. My mom wrote the society column for the Honolulu Advertiser, so she was always out in the community when we were little, connecting with people so she could write her next column. Then we moved to the boondocks of the Big Island and bought a hobby store, but mom was still involved with church and things in the community. It was our normal. She always worked really, really hard, and the message to all of us was that hard work and education were important. So we grew up knowing community, hard work and strong family.

How much did your upbringing have to do with who you are as a person today? Explain.

It was our normal to try new things, work hard, never give up, and help others.

How do you manage to volunteer so much, be a mom and work?

I’m not sure I manage it. I’m blessed with a loving and patient family and an understanding employer. I hate to say no, so I try to find the most efficient ways to serve. But now and then my husband has to reel me in.

What do you consider your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

My greatest strength is passion and my greatest weakness is passion. When I jump in, I jump in with two feet and drag people in with me. Most of the time this is good. Sometimes it makes everyone crazy.

Do you have any both praises and/or concerns about us as a community when it comes to volunteering and helping others?

We are so blessed to live in this community. I am surrounded by people far more deserving of Volunteer of the Year. Be grateful that you live here. Look for a way to give back. If you need help finding a good fit, call me. And if you are on a board, be positive and support the executive director.

Where do you see yourself 10 years down the road?

Some days I imagine I’ll be retired, living off the grid surrounded by books, old movies and a lake view, but then I go to St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and see Minnie McDonald working there (she’s 89) and I aspire to be just like her,