Mélanie Brisson

Committed to Having a Positive Influence on the Future of the Community

When Mélanie Brisson was little she used to accompany her father to activities organized by the Optimist Club in Jonquière never dreaming that one day she would be elected president of the organization’s junior chapter, which has over 18,000 members around the world. And yet a few years later this is the path that the student at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) was to follow.

Mélanie, who is simultaneously pursuing a bachelor’s degree in administration, with specialization in finance, another in human resource management and a certificate in financial planning, fell under the charm of volunteer work at the age of 11 while enrolled in an international education program at high school.

It was also during this period that she became a member of her region’s Junior Optimist Club. Responsible, resourceful, independent and above all determined, she gradually climbed first the ladder of the local chapter, and then the regional and national sections. She then went on to participate in her first international convention in Reno, Nevada, where she met an American congresswoman who told her she would vote for her as vice-president. The young volunteer was surprised, as she wasn’t even in the running, but realized that the dream was perhaps not as far-fetched as she’d thought. She was given the position the following year and was elected president a year later.

Mélanie also helped establish the first European junior club in France and has contributed to the organization’s worldwide development. As president of the adult club, she founded the first collegiate club in Québec with one of her colleagues. She is steadfastly committed, and provides support and guides young district leaders towards attaining their goals.

“For me, being involved in my community is a true passion. I like to feel I am helping people,” asserts the young woman from Jonquière. And although her studies are a priority and she is highly successful academically, she devotes no less than 20 hours a week to her many other activities. When she’s not busy taking care of the essay competition, she lends a hand to participants in a public-speaking contest by providing tips and advice. In her role as vice-president of financial affairs for the Association générale étudiante at UQAC, she is in charge of the project for integrating the cafeteria into the numerous other services administered by the Association and thus monitors a budget of over 1.8 million dollars.

And her commitment doesn’t stop there. She is a volunteer at the Jonquière hospital, coordinator of a fund-raising event for Opération Enfant Soleil, member of the board of directors at the Caisse Desjardins in Jonquière, and gives of her time to the Red Cross, McHappy Day and both the Lions and Kiwanis clubs.

Known as someone who gives without keeping tabs, the philanthropist adds: “I could have done better at school by concentrating only on my studies, but I reckon my involvement is an equally important learning experience and it has a positive impact on my community.”

Her involvement in the Optimist Club made her realize that young people will always be part of her life and for this reason she wants to continue with the seminars she gives with the aim of helping them develop their true potential. “There are so many ways to be a good citizen and help build the society of the future. The most important thing is to take action that will help bring about the societal changes we hope for,” states Mélanie Brisson.

Mélanie Brisson