Volunteers
Walking With Open Hands
As Zach de Boer goes through life, he tries to do so with an open mind and heart. It’s not always easy for someone who is, by nature, an introvert but it’s a perspective that has served him well.
“I think of it as walking with open hands,” Zach says. “It’s a way of seeing how God will lead me.”
It is this perspective that brought Zach to Communitas, where he has served as treasurer now for two years. Before coming to this role, Zach really only knew the organization by name. As he came to learn more about Communitas’ work, he saw it as a chance to give back to a society that aligns with his values.
“I was amazed by the breadth of services offered to people with diverse abilities,” he says. “Meeting with the CEO and the previous treasurer, and hearing their passion for the organization, made my decision to join an easy one.”
Zach has lived in Abbotsford his whole life. He and his wife Julie and their son Josiah live in Abbotsford and are active members of Arnold Community Church. Professionally, he is a Senior Manager at MNP LLP, holding a Chartered Professional Accountant designation since 2021. His career trajectory is another example of God filling Zach’s open hands.
“As a young person, I was always encouraged towards business or management kinds of roles,” he recalls. “I served as a youth leader at church and it was a conversation with a parent that led me to confirm my career in business.”
At the time, Zach was studying at university and looking for work that aligned with his studies. The parent with whom Zach had been having a conversation had a construction company where the accountant was leaving. The timing was perfect. Zach stepped into the role of office manager and accountant while he finished school.
“It was great, hands-on experience that taught me so much about accounting and business,” he says.
Zach’s work at MNP LLP spans accounting and business advisory services for a wide range of clients and industries, including not-for-profit organizations, real estate and construction, dealerships, and agriculture. One of the areas of Communitas that inspires Zach is its social enterprises, including Little Sprout Café, CommCrew ((landscaping), and Janitorial.
“These programs help those we serve gain experience that can be used in other jobs and careers,” he says. “Their eagerness to learn and train is truly impressive.”
Communitas celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024, which gave Zach an opportunity to learn more deeply about the society’s history. As he considers Communitas’ future, Zach is excited for the possibilities ahead.
“Communitas is deeply committed to helping those we serve and to the responsible stewardship of the assets and funds entrusted to us,” he says. “I appreciate that nothing is taken for granted, and there’s a strong desire to build a solid foundation so the society can continue serving those in need.”
Related Stories
Loving Others
April is Volunteer Appreciation month and we’re happy to celebrate volunteers like Donna who make a difference to the people we serve!
Honoured To Serve
John has served on the Communitas board since 2016. In that time, he’s learned a lot about the organization; even some things that have surprised him!
Simply Being
Service is part of Clare’s DNA, it’s simply a way of being that he’s brought to years of serving on the Communitas board.