Volunteer Spotlight: Women’s Conference Co-Chair Melinda Huish

Melinda Huish is a volunteer at Associated Ministries who works tirelessly on helping to create, organize and run the biennial Interfaith Women’s Conferences.  Because of her commitment (and a team of many wonderful volunteers) to these important gatherings, the women in our community have enjoyed two wonderful conferences.   Here at AM, we appreciate all our volunteers – we couldn’t do good work without them!  Here’s a little bit more about Melinda:

Interviewer: Where are you from/what is your background?
Melinda: I grew up here in Tacoma, attended Curtis High School, then I went to Brigham Young University and received a Bachelor’s degree in Business.  I returned here to be close to family.  My husband and I have three grown daughters, and six grandchildren.

I: How did you first come to work/volunteer/intern with AM?
M: I first became aware of AM through my church connections, and then met with Wendy Morris to try to find ways the women in my church community could serve in some of the projects that Wendy was organizing. I have been focused on the Interfaith Women’s Conference, and have served as the co-chair for both the 2017 conference and the upcoming March 8 and 9, 2019 conference.  I have also taken on finding all of the workshop presenters for both conferences, so I have gotten to know many fabulous women in our community.

I: Describe what your typical workday is like.
M: A typical workday for me at Waterfront Financial Management includes talking to my clients about the financial side of their lives, reviewing investment portfolios and managing the employees in our office.  We are a little “family”, so it is the best of jobs!  I volunteer with AM to promote and organize the Interfaith Women’s Conference, a biennial event that brings together women of all faiths in our community.

I: What gives you the most joy as a volunteer with AM?
M: I get the most joy from learning that we have more in common with one another than we have differences.  We all love our families, want to help in the community and strengthen our faith.  These common goals unite us all.

I: What else do you think we should know about you?
M: I also take great joy in the relationships that I have formed over the past four years of volunteering on this project. Beautiful women, inside and out! I work closely with Sandy Windley, who is our AM “connection”.  She is passionate about this conference, and is so positive and supportive.  She shows us her compassionate side, in the way she brings people together.  I also work very closely with Cari Palmer, my volunteer co-chair [of 2019 IWC].  She is a miracle – she comes from a difficult background, and has found peace in her own journey.  She will lead [led] a workshop at the conference to share some of the lessons she has learned along the way.  Cari is talented, beautiful and kind.  And she has boundless energy!

(Blog photo L to R: Melinda Huish, Cari Palmer, Sandy Windley. P/C Adam Hosey.)