VOLUNTEERS--VERY IMPORTANT PERFORMERS

GiGi Wark

Brief description of HARRA volunteer service performed (roles, responsibilities, relate an experience or story, etc.): Well, I started just volunteering for races... like the Fall Series... I worked all those races except the Brazosport 10K. That was all brought about by knowing Sadie Greenman... She would say "I volunteered for this and included your name" and then she told me what time to show up! Then I met Chiquita and, well, life really changed. I was painting children's faces at the Kids Fun Run, taking certification courses, mentoring runners in the Student's Run Houston Program and getting volunteered for this or for that... anything that Chiquita thought I might be able to help out with. I have to admit although I seem to have very little time for myself since meeting these two ladies... it has made life more rewarding in many ways. The Student's Run Houston program showed me that even a slow 9 min/mile runner like me could make a difference in a kid's life... for at least a day anyway. I had the honor of pacing a young lady through her first 10K at the Rodeo Run and she did that whole thing with me by her side pushing her and encouraging and maybe even somewhat bribing her along the way... but she finished and beat her 5 mile time at the Jingle Bell Run. Then there is working the races as an AED person. You see I am not much of a cyclist yet so I get put in the very back with the back of the packers and follow them along the course till they meet their goal of finishing. Now this may seem boring... and luckily medically it has been. But during the races I get the opportunity to meet people who are new to the sport of running and are looking for encouragement and stories from people like me who enjoy the sport... you know to get their motivation going to tackle another race or maybe even a marathon someday. I share war stories and stories of pride with them and somehow I become a real athlete in their eyes. And in the end I cheer them in to the finish with hopes of seeing them again tackling another challenge. Mind you I still manage to keep an eye out for trouble and work the course as an AED person.

How did you get involved with volunteering or what motivates you to volunteer? Sadie Greenman, Chiquita... and my big mouth... and I like to be involved in things!

Which of the following are motivators for you? (Affiliation, accomplishment, influence/impact, recognition, leadership opportunities) All of the above.

List skills, abilities, hobbies, training, educational background or other volunteer experience that aids you in your volunteer support for HARRA: Skills... well I do not have too many that I can think of to list except that I am a quick learner, love to be in the middle of things, love being with especially those that enjoy the sport of running, and I am usually willing to try anything and work hard. My education and work give me the capacity to learn and to teach, I have a strong personality - this can be both good and bad because I can come off as hard or harsh sometimes and maybe intrusive, but it is good beacuse I am goal-oriented, and can usually make my way to achieving those things that I go after, and I have experience in volunteering... including things like dog and cat rescue work, teaching scuba diving as and assitant instructor, and helping my husband with his duties as a committeman in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

What benefits do you perceive from volunteering? Depends on the volunteering, but it is all rewarding in some way. The thank you's from fellow runners, the hug from the kid in the Students Run Houston program, the ooh's and aah's from novice runners at my accomplishments, the camaraderie, and breakfast get-togethers after finishing up a volunteering duty! There are so many things that one gets from volunteering... too many to list.

What can HARRA do to provide a positive experience for its volunteers? I think that HARRA already does a lot to provide positive encouragement to the volunteers... a person simply has to volunteer a couple of times and find their area of expertise and then they will find their own rewards for the experience... the pat in the back in Footprints or friends is just a little more icing on the cake!