Do you remember your first job interview? Do you remember what you wore? The saying “first impressions count” has never been more appropriate than it has been today. No-one understands this better than Tammy Roos, 2021 Find Your Voice Rotary Leadership Programme participant currently working at Investec in East London.
“I was shocked when I found out that young graduates who were living off the grant money of their families and who, as interns or junior employees, were earning very little, were opening accounts at large clothing stores and racking up debt simply to buy work clothes to “look the part”. They were racking up debt that they could not afford. This meant they could not pay their accounts and they were blacklisted – impacting their debt ratings later in life. I felt I had to do something.”
That “something” was the Corporate Wardrobe – a drive to have people and companies donate their unused clothing which could then be passed-on to underprivlidged and disadvantaged youth to help them “dress for success” either for an interview or as part of their daily professional work wardrobe.
Tammy feels very strongly about active citizenship, a core value of the Find Your Voice Programme. “I feel that I have a responsibility towards my children to instil the gift of giving.” Tammy has two young children, aged six and ten. One of the guest speakers on the programme was Lou Billet, founder of African Angels. Lou really struck a chord with Tammy when she shared that so often we feel overwhelmed by the disparity and hardships facing those around us and we can get stuck feeling that it is too big for us to make a difference. Lou Billet challenged the group to pick something and action it. African Angels is an inspirational story of what a leader’s commitment and drive can do for a community.
“We didn’t quite know what to expect” says Tammy. “But by the end of the project we had managed to fill an entire boardroom with donated clothes including suits, shoes, formal dresses and a host of other clothing that we were able to sort through and donate.”
Tammy’s philosophy is very simple – throwing a small stone is better than throwing no stone at all. A very real reference to the fact that throwing a stone into a pond creates a ripple-effect. She hopes that her efforts will not go unnoticed and that others will follow suit (pun intended).
“I want to use my corporate network to assist with this initiative. I believe we can make a difference” says Tammy who plans to link the initiative to young professionals studying at universities and TVET colleges in and around Buffalo City.
Tammy believes that young leaders must contribute to society in a positive way – her initiative is certainly doing this!
Guy Rich – Alumni Co-Ordinator