Commitment Also Means Knowing When to Let Go

by Angela Sanford

   I’ve always believed that if you’re going to serve on a board or community group, you need to commit wholeheartedly. So many of our organizations are already stretched thin and in real need of volunteers, and they deserve people who can fully show up.

   Over the years, I’ve sat on numerous boards, both as a director and in executive roles. But the greatest commitment in my life began when our boys started boxing in 2010. Little did I realize just how involved I would become over the next 16 years.

   I was heavily involved in fundraising for both Wyatt and the club where he first began. Before long, I wasn’t just attending shows as a parent—I stepped into the role of official. Since then, I’ve officiated more than 300 bouts and have travelled extensively, both as a parent and in an official capacity. I’ve had the opportunity to officiate across Canada and was honoured to serve as a supervisor at the Canada Winter Games in PEI in 2023.

   I spent several years on the Boxing Nova Scotia executive when I was approached by another province to gauge my interest in being nominated to Boxing Canada’s Board of Directors. While I didn’t expect to be elected, when I delivered my two-minute pitch, I was honoured to be considered and grateful to be welcomed onto the board.

   I served during the COVID years, when the landscape of boxing looked very different than it does today. Throughout my term, I’ve truly enjoyed celebrating Canadian boxers, at home and abroad, and working alongside a dedicated group of individuals who each brought their own perspectives and strengths to the table.

   While I had intended to complete my term this fall, I realized recently that I could no longer give the role the time and attention it deserves—especially with the increasing demands of work and family as the school year winds down. As a result, I made the difficult decision last week to resign. It likely came as a surprise to both the board and my family, as I hadn’t discussed it beforehand, knowing some might try to persuade me otherwise.

   It has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am thankful for the people I’ve had the privilege to work with. When the Executive Director shared Boxing Canada’s announcement of my departure, I joked that they must have had the wrong person—the contributions described felt far greater than I believe I made.

   While I’ve taken a step back and am setting a different pace with officiating—where in the early years every Saturday night meant being at a boxing event—I haven’t stepped away entirely.  As a matter of fact, I’ll celebrate my retirement by officiating at the Boxing Canada Elite Nationals in Cape Breton this November, the first adventure in the next chapter.