Toni Swedlund
I, Cynthia L. Cooper, AGA St Louis Chapter, President 2021-2022 and Board Members are honored to nominate Toni Swedlund for volunteer of the year. Toni, as a past president for the AGA St Louis Chapter stepped up to fill multiple board positions with no prior experience in crucial focus areas that help shaped AGA St Louis Chapter’s success for 2021-2022.
Toni took over the Director of Social Media and Director of Newsletter while maintaining her Director of CGFM role without missing deadlines or expectations. Toni was able to help keep people informed as to what activities AGA St Louis Chapter was doing greatly improved chapter involvement. Notably, there was an increase in participation at the Lunch, Learn, and Earn events among those members attending and nonmembers. Toni quickly remembered critical dates to ensure AGA St Louis Chapter recognized the diverse heritage celebrations. For example, posting recognition to support African American History Month, National Women's History Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage, Gay Lesbian Pride Month, National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the National American Indian Heritage Month, to name a few. Toni took the time to find members who were veterans and made a unique powering point that plays on the AGA ST Louis Chapter website to thank each for their service. Toni was there to help the new presidency with difficult questions about supporting an in-person and virtual PDT in conjunction with ASMC Land Of Lincoln, which she initially connected with. This partnership has led to more events for members and nonmembers to earn CPEs, network, and volunteer events. Toni's initiative and drive to help build the ASMC and AGA partnership has been the key to the AGA St Louis Chapter's ability to grow membership, offer additional learning, and create new relationships. This collaboration allows AGA St Louis to build a bridge to connect USDA employees to DoD Scott Air Force base, which has led to a better understanding of both environments. We have felt honored to have Toni as a part of our AGA St. Louis Chapter and a board member.