Volunteer of the Month: Ruth Farrugia RGD
Written by Ruth Farrugia RGD, City of Côte Saint-Luc
This July, the RGD thanks Ruth Farrugia RGD for her contributions to the RGD community.
How long have you been volunteering with the RGD, and in what capacity?
I've been volunteering with the RGD since 2015. I started out on the Events Committee, later transitioning to the Membership Committee, where I'm now the co-chair and currently on the Board. I've also done a few portfolio reviews, judged the RGD Student Awards a few times, made a virtual presentation to a school and I've participated in the Certification Mentorship program.
What experience/memory stands out to you?
I'm most proud of helping to start the Virtual Communities initiative. It all began with me hosting an in-person Design for Cities roundtable discussion at a DesignThinkers in Toronto in 2018. Hilary Ashworth, who noticed there were so many RGDs who designed in-house for municipalities, had the brilliant idea of taking it virtual, since most of us are separated geographically. It grew from our little group to its current 12 distinct communities. The program is now helmed by Sheree Stephenson RGD who has breathed new life into it and made it even better!
What is the most surprising/unexpected thing to come out of volunteering with the RGD?
I get to use my writing skills! When I was a kid, I always wanted to be an author or journalist. Volunteering with the RGD has given me the chance to use my wordsmithing to contribute to the Virtual Community Leaders' Guide and write some articles on the benefits of membership for the RGD website.
“Ruth is responsive, reliable and has amazing ideas. She’s diligent about implementing these but also open and enthusiastic in working on initiatives suggested by others. I’m thrilled that she was elected to the RGD Board; she has been an amazing addition.”
Hilary Ashworth, Executive Director at RGD
What have you learned about the industry since volunteering for the RGD?
Watching all the amazing work our Members do makes me so proud to be a fellow designer. I've learned that there is a community of designers eager to support each other and learn from each other. Seeing all the fantastic, thoughtful student work gives me hope for our field's future.
Based on your experience volunteering with the RGD, how would you describe the role of the organization in the industry?
The RGD does so much to advocate for our industry, whether it be through continuing education with webinars and the video library, promoting ethical practice through anti-spec campaigns, publishing invaluable guides on accessibility and doing business, supporting student and emerging designers with mentorship programs or highlighting beautiful and important work through awards programs. The most amazing thing is how they bring us together and inspire us with conferences like DesignThinkers, which is how I discovered the RGD. All this with a small but mighty (and awesome) staff and team of volunteers!
What have you gained from being an RGD volunteer, and why would you recommend it to other Members who might be considering getting involved?
I've discovered that I can meaningfully contribute to our community and have met some absolutely amazing people. It's truly inspiring. I would recommend every RGD Member find an opportunity to contribute their time to the organization, to connect with fellow volunteers and find out how much the RGD accomplishes. It's actually fun!
Do you have thoughts on what you might like to do as a volunteer with the RGD in the future?
Honestly, I'm not sure yet, but I'm happy to do what I can to keep the RGD going strong.
Ruth Farrugia RGD
City of Côte Saint-Luc
Ruth uses her creative talents to inform and delight at the City of Côte Saint-Luc (a municipality in the West End of Montreal), where she has worked for over 20 years as their in-house graphic designer with a special passion for print design. Fishtank Communications, her independent studio, focuses on clients within the arts and non-profit sectors. She is co-chair of RGD’s Membership Committee—where she helped to kick-start the Virtual Communities initiative, serves on the RGD Board, and has been a member of the Events Committee and judged student competitions.
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