Talkin' With a Partner: Stephen Anfield of Capital Alumni Network

Some food for thought (before you scroll down): Stephen Anfield is modest about being “cool,” but CPC begs to differ.

Shilpi: Tell me about the your organization.
Stephen: The Capital Alumni Network is an organization comprised of over 300 university/college alumni chapters in the DC area. CAN has mostly focused on sports in the past, but now there is an interest in community service.

Shilpi: Rosalynn Carter once said, “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be.” What did you seek to conceive when you first started the Capital Alumni Network? What about now?
Stephen: CAN was already in place. It was the community service committee that did not exist within the structure of the organization. I was tapped by the Board as someone they wanted to lead philanthropic initiatives, so I said, “Sure! Why not?!” I’ve been leading the committee for about five or six months now, and I love it. I definitely do NOT consider myself a great leader, but the quote you mentioned resonates with me. It’s not that people in CAN don’t want to do service, but CAN was/has been a largely sports-driven organization. The challenge is to get those individuals out in the community doing other activities, and I think I’m succeeding. We have our first CAN-wide service day in a few weeks!

Shilpi: What do you look for when getting volunteers?
Stephen: Commitment. I realize that most may not be as passionate as I am about service, and that’s okay. It’s my job to be the “cheerleader” so to speak and get people fired up!

Shilpi: Why would people want to help and promote this organization in the community?
Stephen: We’re here to keep each other informed and educated.

Shilpi: What does leadership, innovation, and philanthropy look like for the upcoming generations?
Stephen: They all look pretty darn good to me! I can remember before my City Year, I didn’t really know what idealism was. but now I do. City Year is creating an army of individuals equipped with the tools and experiences to make change in society. The co-founders, Michael Brown and Alan Khazei, are absolutely amazing!

Shilpi: When did you realize you really had something phenomenal with the Capital Alumni Network?
Stephen: Since day one. Everyone has a lot of positive energy, and they want to get things done!

Shilpi: If you couldn’t do this day in and day out, what would you do instead?
Stephen: Actually, I don’t do this day in and day out. This is a voluntary position for me, but if I could do this day in and day out, I totally would!

Shilpi: What’s one problem local or global you wish to solve?
Stephen: PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy). My grandmother passed away in January, and I’ve been on this mission to raise awareness and funds.

Shilpi: Lastly, what makes the Capital Alumni Network so totally and completely “cool”?
Stephen: We’re probably the only one of its kind in the U.S., and now, we’ve got community service. Area non-profits haven’t heard of us yet, but when I tell them the potential of volunteers, they get excited! We’re talkin’ 42-point font excited!