Volunteer Leadership Profile — Jill Diamond
Planning Council Chair
Although Jill Diamond is the executive director of the Diamond Foundation, her philanthropic work does not stop after work hours are over. One of the founding members of Jewish Federation’s young adult division, Jill has been volunteering with us for over eighteen years. During that time, she has been on the board of trustees and the grant distribution committee of the Jewish Community Foundation, and co-chaired the Lion of Judah committee for the Federation Annual Campaign. Currently, she serves as the chair of Jewish Federation’s planning council.
Outside of Jewish Federation, Jill has served on Jewish Family Services Agency’s executive board for 10 years, and continues to be involved by raising funds and serving on their corporate sponsorship committee. She sits on the board of governors for the Jewish Community Centre and the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, and is an honorary board member for Big Sisters. She is also serving on the BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation campaign cabinet, currently raising funds for their new neonatal intensive care unit.
Role as Planning Council Chair
As the chair of the planning council, Jill is responsible for providing overall leadership to the committee as they identify and prioritize emerging community issues that require further research in the areas of social services, Jewish education, arts and culture, community building, seniors and youth. Jill guides the committee through community needs assessments using a variety of methods, including planning think tanks, community forums and applied research, to produce community reports, research papers and recommendations. Jill presents the research and recommendations to the Jewish Federation board and, with the allocations committee chair, meets with partner agency leaders on an as-needed basis.
“The planning council is filled with capable, committed and talented volunteers and professionals, like Shelley Rivkin, who have years of experience in planning and community development,” says Jill. “And the best part about being on the committee is seeing the research come to life to better our community and meet the needs that were identified. It is very rewarding to see services put in place to support and empower Jewish youth because of our findings in the Youth at Risk report. The seniors report is similar, as it identified that seniors in Richmond weren’t accessing the services available to them, and in response we have developed the Richmond Community Services Hub.”
The Legacy of a Strong Community
Jill’s drive to volunteer has been passed down to her, but she has made the desire to build a vibrant Jewish community her own. “I’ve learned everything about giving back from my parents and grandparents, who were deeply committed to the Jewish community and the Jewish values of tikkun olam (repairing the world). Now I want to act as a role model for my children. When I’m out at night, I want my kids to know I’m out volunteering and trying to make the Jewish community as strong as it can be.”
“Jewish Federation is a unifying force for Jewish community building and philanthropy,” she continues. “For decades, Jewish Federation has been a leader in partnering with agencies to provide direct services to people in need, ensuring our children are taught the Jewish values of tzedakah (charity) and chesed (loving-kindness), combatting anti-Semitism and rebuilding Jewish communities around the world. That sense of community inspires me—I want to make sure it’s strong for my children and grandchildren.”