VOLUNTEERS--VERY IMPORTANT PERFORMERS

Barbara Shepard

Brief description of HARRA volunteer service performed (roles, responsibilities, relate an experience or story, etc.  ): I have been on the Power in Motion Committee since its inception in 1998.  I have also been a coach for the program.  I took over as the PIM Coordinator replacing Mercedes Tarley in early 1999 and have been its coordinator since.  Served on the HARRA Board as a Director at Large and liaison for PIM from 1999 Spring to 2000.  I am on the HARRA AED team and have helped out at races in that capacity.  I am currently CoRace Director for the 20K Race in October which is part of the Fall HARRA Series.  I have volunteered at numerous HARRA races in different capacities over the past years.  I am also the current President of the Houston Striders running club. 

How did you get involved with volunteering or what motivates you to volunteer? I actually started volunteering in the early 1980’s when my husband, Stephen, and I were sent to live in a small town in Australia.  I went from working full time to not having a work visa; therefore, my initial motivation for volunteering was to prevent myself from going stir crazy.  I started volunteering my time in town to the continuing adult center, as well as, to tutoring with the Regional Literacy Board.  I gradually came to recognize the impact that I was having on people ’s lives, but more importantly how much I was learning and gaining from them.  When we moved back to the states several years later, volunteering had become a part of my everyday life.  I continued my volunteering by tutoring math for elementary school children.  I then volunteered my time for the Agricultural Extension Offices Master Gardeners program by teaching different gardening courses, coordinating their Spring Symposium, as well as, serving on their Regional Board in different capacities.  During this time, I met Mercedes Tarley while running in Hershey Park and have been volunteering in the running area ever since!

Which of the following are motivators?

•  Affiliation

•  Accomplishment

•  Influence/impact When you see what a positive impact that you can have on people’s lives.  Plus let’s not forget Mercedes Tarley she is a wonderful motivator!!

•  Leadership opportunities

•  Recognition

List skills, abilities, hobbies, training, educational background or other volunteer experience that aids you in your volunteer support for HARRA: Being a runner, an organizer and having participated over the years in a variety of competitive events.  Also, realizing the good that HARRA does for our running community and wanting to support that. 

What benefits do you perceive from volunteering? The fulfillment that you get from helping others and helping the running community.  That even your small contributions can make such a positive difference in someone’s life. 

What can HARRA do to provide a positive experience for its volunteers? HARRA already does it with its VVIP Program!

Thank you for volunteering!

December/January 2002/2003