In today’s hybrid work environment, creating a sense of community has become more important than ever. UBC IT Vancouver’s newly formed Social Committee, led by an enthusiastic Amy Kao, is dedicated to fostering connection within our diverse teams while having some fun along the way. In chatting with Amy, she described why she believes that planning small, grassroots events is essential for supporting the mental wellbeing of our employees.
Note: UBC IT Okanagan’s informal Social Committee has been planning their Holiday Party and other smaller events for nearly 20 years!
Why create a Social Committee at UBC Vancouver?
“We’re such a large department and often work quite siloed in our immediate teams,” Amy notes, emphasizing that UBC IT employees are spread across various departments and locations, “we can often feel disconnected from one another”.
With UBC IT leadership support, the UBC IT Social Committee aims to complement formal interactions with more casual, grassroots connections. “It’s about promoting mental health and wellbeing by taking a break from work to reconnect with colleagues,” Amy says. During past events like the UBC IT Staff BBQ, fellow colleagues have expressed how they really appreciate attending non-work-related activities where they can have more natural conversations with people that they may only see through their computer screens.
The Power of Social Events
For Amy, social events do more than just provide a break—they build a collaborative and positive workplace culture. “The more happiness and joy you experience at work, the more productive and motivated you feel,” she explains. Coming from an HR background, Amy has seen firsthand how making people feel connected and heard can transform the work environment.
There’s something special about seeing colleagues in person, having a good laugh, and enjoying impromptu conversations that build camaraderie. Events like our Annual UBC IT Popsicle Social aim to get people away from their desks and gather them in a shared space. Amy jokingly recalls how they tried to include freezies at the event, only to find they were still liquid after a night in the freezer. “It was a good laugh and next year we’ll remember to take them out of the box,” she laughed.
What’s Next?
As for future events, Amy is a big believer in simple, low-cost, low-barrier gatherings that bring people together. Ideas that involve gathering around food are always a hit. “Food brings people together,” she says with a smile. With the Annual UBC IT Holiday Party and Summer BBQ being our major staff highlights, the committee is planning to sprinkle in smaller events throughout the year.
UBC IT staff can look forward to more opportunities for connection, conversation, and, of course, a bit of fun in the months ahead.
Article written by Yvonne Hopkins, UBC IT Content Strategist
