Ripple Effect

Date: August 19, 2026

Time: 18h-20h

Location: CIC

Snacks & drinks included;

Sharing Your Story is an evening dedicated to connection, reflection, and the power of community. At Female Ventures Rotterdam, we believe that every story matters — and that sharing our experiences can inspire, empower, and bring us closer together.

During this event, members of the Female Ventures Rotterdam team will each share a short 5-minute story about their personal volunteering journeys: what first inspired them to give their time, how volunteering has shaped them, and what being part of Female Ventures has meant in their lives. Through these honest and personal stories, we hope to create space for vulnerability, learning, and meaningful connection.

Afterwards, the conversation opens up to the community. Attendees are invited to reflect, engage with the stories shared, and, if they feel called to, share their own experiences of giving back, making an impact, or being impacted by others. Whether your story is about volunteering, supporting someone in your community, or simply finding purpose through connection, this is a space to be heard and to listen.

Together, we’ll explore how acts of service — big or small — can create ripple effects far beyond what we imagine: strengthening our confidence, deepening our sense of belonging, and making a positive difference in the lives of others. Because when we share our stories, we remind each other that none of us are building alone.

Key Takeaways

• Personal Growth: Volunteering pushes you out of your comfort zone and helps you discover strengths you didn’t know you had. It builds confidence by giving you ownership, responsibility, and real impact.
• Connection and Belonging: Joining a community reminds you that you don’t have to build your journey alone. Some of the strongest friendships and professional connections come from a shared purpose.
• Purpose and Impact: Even small actions can create meaningful ripple effects in someone else’s life. Giving your time is valuable — your presence matters.
• Learning and Development: Volunteering gives you practical experience, leadership skills, and opportunities to grow in ways your day-to-day job may not.

Why Join

• Meet ambitious, like-minded women and build genuine relationships.
• Contribute to something bigger than yourself and support women in their growth journeys.
• Expand your network in an authentic, values-driven way.
• Feel part of a supportive space where your ideas, energy, and skills are valued. We see you. We hear you. You matter.
• Create impact — not just for others, but for yourself too.
• Grow personally and professionally while helping shape a stronger community.

Speaker Guidelines – Sharing Your Story

• Keep your story to 5 minutes maximum so everyone has equal time to share.
• Focus on your personal journey: what inspired you to start volunteering?
• Share how volunteering has impacted you — what have you learned, gained, or discovered about yourself?
• Reflect on your experience with Female Ventures specifically: what has “being part of this community” meant to you?
• If possible, include a specific moment or memory that felt meaningful or memorable.
• Be honest and authentic — your story doesn’t need to be “perfect” or extraordinary; the power is in the realness.
• Think about the impact on others too: how has your volunteering created change, connection, or support for someone else?
• End with one takeaway or message you’d like the audience to carry with them.
• Remember: this is about connection, not performance. Speak from the heart and trust that your story matters.