News & Events

Shane Feldman refuses to quit.

The first-year RTA School of Media student is the founder of Count Me In, an organization that promotes volunteerism among youth and aims to link youth with charities based on their interests. On April 17, 1,500 students from Grades 8 to 12 will attend the third annual Count Me In Conference (CMIC) at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. The conference is the largest youth-empowerment event in the world and brings together charities and teens for an opportunity to network, build partnerships and get students involved.

The day features guest speakers and performers such as Danny Fernandes and Kristina Maria as well as a trade showof 60 organizations such as World Vision Canada, Right to Play, Canadian Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity.

Ontario high school students are currently required to complete 40 hours of volunteer work before graduation. A new app will be launched at the conference that will replace the present paper recording system that students use to document their volunteer hours.

“Students feel it’s a hard challenge to complete 40 volunteer hours and we’re teaching students how fun it can be,” Feldman said. “Life’s too short not to do something you love every single minute.”

CMIC is one of the only entirely student-run events in Canada – a disheartening piece of news for Feldman who would like to see more youth campaign to create change. Every spring he starts the application process to recruit 100 high school students to volunteer at the next CMIC. A core team of 15 youth work with him as talent managers, administrators, coordinators and media relations officers. Feldman is dedicated to fulfilling the goal of spearheading a conference and organization that is run by students for students.

“I disagree with the too many cooks in the kitchen idea,” Feldman said. “I think it matters how you utilize those cooks. I think that’s why we have such a successful event because we have teens who are creating for themselves.”

Feldman’s expertise in youth volunteerism has made him a popular motivational keynote speaker for organizations all over North America. While his commitments to Count Me In and public speaking engagements have forced his acting and regular volunteering gigs to take a back seat, Count Me In has presented him with endless opportunities and lessons.

“I believe you can do everything as long as it’s not all at the same time,” he said.

Feldman initiated Count Me In by chance when he was 13 years old after experiencing a difficult transition to high school in a new community. Guidance counsellors encouraged him to sign up for any clubs that piqued his interest which helped him make new friends. He approached his principal about holding an assembly telling his peers how to get involved and through word-of-mouth in the community, the assembly turned into a movement. As a result, Count Me In was established.

The conference this year wasn’t without its challenges. Rotating teacher strikes in the public district school boards in Ontario and the ban on extra- or co-curricular activities forced Feldman and his team to change their strategy. Moving their focus to the Catholic school boards and reaching out to educators who don’t require substitute teachers enabled the team to achieve a sell-out show.

“There are hard days but you have to be ambitious and push yourself,” Feldman said. “There were many times Count Me In was going to be shut down but I had just enough support from parents and friends to get through.”

To find out how you can volunteer, visit http://cmimovement.com/Count_Me_In/Volunteer___Join_Our_Team.html.