Building Bonds: A golf volunteering trio

Category: Member-Features, Events
09/18/2023

Sarah, Irena & Cecelia:

Spreading smiles through volunteer leadership

Let’s get to know each other! Building Bonds is a new feature highlighting members’ stories of collaboration and teamwork as well as sharing business stories within our membership. September is Associate Appreciation Month which provides the perfect time to spotlight these three outstanding volunteers who also happen to be Associate members.

HBA of F-M is privileged to have a dynamic trio volunteering for its popular member golf outings.

Sarah Dolyniuk, Irena Johnson and Cecelia Jorud are ready to lead other volunteers to get the work done. Whether they were loading up bagged lunches and delivering them to hungry  sponsors, or shuttling sponsors to and from their holes, these three did it with smiles on their faces.

They were part of a valued contingent of volunteers assisting in executing moving parts and activities that go along with the Association's two sold-out outings in July and August at Hawley Golf & Country Club.

Above (left to right): Lisa Skari, Kohler Company; Lisa Tostenson, Lisa Tostenson Interiors; Sarah Dolyniuk, Christiansons by Fluid; HBA Events Coordinator Janna Koble; Irena Johnson and Cecelia Jorud, both Bell Bank; head out to deliver lunches to golfers.

Cecelia is a real estate lending coordinator at Bell Bank. She works with a risk management team covering consumer lending for portfolio mortgage, construction and retail teams.

Irena, mortgage lender at Bell Bank, assists customers with the home buying or home building process.

And Sarah, sales coordinator at Christiansons by Fluid, works alongside account executives to help fulfill customer and client needs as a full-service contract office furniture dealer.

When asked why she is active within committees at the HBA, Cecelia says,

“Volunteering fosters a life of gratitude. Partnering with the HBA, as a volunteer, is one way to support the growth of our local industry. Giving time and energy to this also ensures the continued builder political advocacy and increases awareness of our industry as an option for young adults choosing their career paths.”

All three women currently serve on the Events Committee.  Cecelia is vice chair and looks forward to becoming chair next year. Irena is also on the Parade of Homes Committee.

Outside of work, they all like to be outdoors with their families (both human and furry). Sarah loves spending time with her partner, Cory, their dog, Otis, and two adopted kitties, Barbara and Gus. Cecelia hikes trails with her pup, Freya. You can find the pair running around Casselton, N.D., or enjoying a bonfire with neighbors. Irena, her husband, Ryan, and their kids Carson, Logan and Jackson, love spending summers out at the lake. 

Cecelia’s favorite HBA gathering is the High Noon Shootout, a trap shooting contest in Horace.

"It's an event like nothing else offered," she says.

When considering volunteering with the HBA take Cecelia’s advice: “Don’t just think about volunteering with the HBA, step out and do it!”

 

Above: Sarah Dolyniuk and her partner, Cory.

 

Above two photos: Irena Johnson with her husband, Ryan. And their children Carson (age 17), Logan (age 3) and Jackson (age 1).

 

 

Above: Cecelia with her dog, Freya, and mom, Lynn.

More about the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead: HBA of F-M is a nonprofit trade organization and the largest local builders associated affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders in North Dakota and Minnesota. The HBA's efforts focus on advocating for a strong building and remodeling industry.

More about the HBA of F-M Golf Outings: Our most popular member event occurs twice, in July and August. Members enjoy a friendly outing for a chance to win the tournament champs trophy!

Interested in getting involved with the HBA of F-M? Contact Business Development Coordinator Spencer Carlson at (701) 232-5846.

written by Rose Marcellus, Communications Intern.