Shadow Cycle #1
For my first shadow cycle, I had the opportunity to meet with Tasnim Jahan, MAPS' External Student Success Coordinator. When I asked her what aspect of her role makes her most proud, she highlighted her work in creating social media posts. She explained that these posts bring people together by drawing attention to individuals and events, fostering a sense of community. Because of this, she prioritizes making her posts visually appealing, believing that an engaging aesthetic helps with outreach and encourages participation. Additionally, social media plays a crucial role in keeping people informed and connected with MAPS' latest updates and events.
Beyond content creation, Tasnim also finds joy in the behind-the-scenes logistics of organizing fun and meaningful events for volunteers. She sees these events as essential in maintaining volunteer engagement and ensuring they stay connected to MAPS' mission.
However, her work does not come without challenges. One of the most difficult aspects of her role is managing the coordination of multiple events across different MAPS sites. She must carefully plan the timing of announcements and ensure that no events overlap, all while keeping track of various logistical details. Balancing these responsibilities can be overwhelming, but Tasnim remains dedicated to making everything run smoothly.
One particular challenge she faced was organizing the MAPS Islah Art Showcase. She expressed concerns about ensuring strong attendance to properly recognize the hard work of the service recipients at MAPS’ Islah sites. Having seen the effort these students put into their artwork, she felt it was crucial to give them the recognition and appreciation they deserved. Understanding her concern, I suggested a more personal outreach approach—directly informing our regular volunteers about the importance of attending and encouraging them to make space in their schedules for the event. I believed this would be a more reliable way to increase turnout rather than relying solely on flyers, which might not generate enough engagement.
Tasnim continues to work diligently on projects that strengthen MAPS as an organization. With her passion and dedication, she plays a key role in fostering a supportive and engaged community, and she has many exciting plans ahead for MAPS.
