Paying it Forward: Dr. Lane Trotter’s Story

October 17, 2024 / by United Way

For Dr. Lane Trotter, giving back to the community isn’t just an obligation—it’s a deeply personal commitment rooted in his own experiences. As the President of Camosun College and the 2024 United Way Southern Vancouver Island Community Campaign Chair, Lane’s journey of involvement and giving stretches back decades, fueled by his desire to help others the way he was once helped.

“I was on the verge of dropping out,” Lane recalls of his time as a student at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George. He had run out of money, and his parents didn’t have the resources to help. But in his moment of need, the college connected him to an emergency bursary from the Vancouver Foundation. That small but crucial bit of support—less than $400—got him through the final term and kept his future on track.

“That stuck with me,” Lane says. “Somebody paid it forward to let me continue my education.”

Lane has been paying it forward ever since. From supporting local United Way campaigns to stepping into leadership roles at colleges across the country, Lane has always understood that lifting others up is key to building a better community.

“When I started with United Way in 1995, my boss at St. Clair College put his arm around me and said, ‘Lane, here at St. Clair, we support United Way. So you’re going to give—give till it hurts,’” he remembers with a chuckle. That experience helped Lane see the bigger picture: “It’s not about you anymore. It’s about the wider community.”

That sense of belonging to something larger than himself has guided Lane’s journey ever since. Lane’s involvement has always been driven by the belief that helping others creates ripple effects that transform lives.

In Lane’s experience, it’s often the people who’ve been through hard times themselves who become the most dedicated to giving back. One of Lane’s most memorable experiences was attending an event at the University of Western Ontario, where an impact speaker shared a powerful story of how United Way had helped her escape an abusive past, support her children, and eventually become a branch manager at a major bank.

“It was amazing,” Lane recalls. As the room reflected on her story, assuming it was about someone else, she interjected, saying, ‘That’s me.’ “It wasn’t just a story about a distant stranger,” he says. “It was the story of someone whose life had been transformed, standing right there with everyone in the room.” This realization prompted Lane to reflect, “This is the difference United Way makes.”

This is the kind of impact Lane wants to see more of—people given a chance to turn their lives around and contribute back to their communities.

For Lane, involvement isn’t just about writing a cheque. It’s about creating the kind of community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. “We’re not islands. We’re part of something bigger.” Just as someone helped Lane when he needed it most, he’s committed to paying that kindness forward, ensuring that others have the chance to build a better future too. Lane sees the future in people. If you do too, please consider donating to UWSVI now.