There is a Latin quotation that best describes our staff spotlight of the month - Mai Du, Director of Volunteer Resources/Youth Programs, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay - Mens Sana in Corpore Sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body). Mai definitely has a beautiful mind in a disciplined body.

Teaching and practicing kung fu and tai chi for a number of years, Mai strongly believes that this is a great form of promoting physical and mental health, self-discipline, self-confidence, respect for self and others, fellowship and hard work. A fervent advocate for youth involvement, a genuine believer in the energy and exceptional talent youth bring to the organization, Mai answered our questions.

Please join us in finding more about another exceptional youth director.

Suppose you could live anywhere in the world. Where would that be?
Malden, MA (current) I am content...with where I live, with whom I share my life, and with what I do. The best place in the world is home. It is where the heart is.

What one word would you use to describe yourself?
Hopeful

Among your professional accomplishments what are you most proud of?
Mass Bay's National George Elsey Award for Exceptional Youth Involvement 2003. Mass bay was selected to receive the George Elsey award in 2003 after we were selected to receive this same award at the regional level. When I first started at Mass bay in 2001, we were only beginning to build more structures to our youth programs. Within a relatively short time, our chapter accomplished national recognition. I was very proud of the youth and young adult volunteers who contributed to this prestigious recognition.

Tell us something about you that people would be surprised to learn?
I have been practicing, and now teaching, kung fu and tai chi outside my Red Cross life for close to 20 years.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I had wanted to be somebody who works for righteousness; at one point, a policewoman.

Who were the most significant people in your life? Why?
Mom and Dad-- for teaching me that one needs to live a meaningful life, have a vision, and take actions, including risks; have at least two tools to lead a meaningful life: a ruler to measure the extent of a situation and a scale to weigh the importance of the matter at hand; and when helping others, giving a handful of grain at a time of need is like giving a bag of grain at a time of comfort.

If you could change one thing about the work you do, what would it be?
I have even more resources and staff to reach out to even more youth and young adults to involve them in the Red Cross humanitarian work.

What are some of the challenges you face in working with youth?
It's challenging to involve youth from diverse backgrounds and geographic areas since our jurisdiction is quite large. There are always the material limitations: youth lack the resources to transport themselves freely to events/activities. Also youth, in general, still have to endure negative stereotypes here and there, which can hinder meaningful integration of youth involvement in all areas of work.

What is one memorable event you have experienced working with the Red Cross?
Among others, when the youth volunteers came together to organize a surprised Mai's Appreciation Day (MAD) one summer day. One summer day a few years ago, August 5 to be exact, I was brought to the break room at the chapter and found more than 20 youth volunteers, coming to together to celebrate what they called Mai's Appreciation Day (M.A.D.). Each brought snacks to throw a party. These volunteers felt the need to recognize someone who was passionate about youth work and believed in youth contribution. As honored and flattered as I was at that moment, I felt the real need was to recognize positive youth involvement as a whole. They deserved the recognition for their commitment and energies more than I did. It was the richest day of my life at the Red Cross.

What would you like to be remembered for?
I gave all that I could in my power to the betterment of humanity.

What motivates you to do the work that you do?
I'm a firm believer that good will always prevail. All people--they may know it or not--possess something that makes them unique and wonderful. It's a matter of perspectives and the work needed to discover, cultivate, and celebrate these wonders.