VOLUNTEERS--VERY IMPORTANT PERFORMERS

Cindy Sosa

Brief description of HARRA volunteer service performed (roles, responsibili-ties, relate an experience or story, etc.): I have been an assistant editor for Footprints under the direction of Gigi Wark for two years coordinating the Meet Our Members, Fleet of Feet and The Race Line-Up with Michele Arriaga. I also serve on the HARRA Board as a Member at Large. And I was part of the rescue team for the HARRA Just for Kids Fun Run this past year and will serve on that committee again this year...it ’s a lot of fun interacting with the kids!I have done other volunteer duties for the Harriers and for races in the area.

How did you get involved with volunteering or what motivates you to volunteer? Actually my friend and running partner convinced me it was what we needed to do. Footprints was how it all started. It gave me an opportunity to be in direct contact with the running community. I always felt there needed to be more representation from all the clubs not just a few so we developed the Race Line -Up section. The elites were added this year so that our readers would not feel the Meet Our Members was just for the fast runners. And this also provided bragging rights for the clubs as we high-lighted an elite runner in the new Fleet of Feet section.

Which of the following are motivators?

•  Affiliation: I enjoy being part of the running community and being able to give back to the sport that has given

me so much. And being affiliated with HARRA gives me a stronger voice in the running community.

•  Accomplishment: I am an accomplished runner...I have qualified and finished the Boston Marathon, and I completed the Texas Marathon Challenge. So if my experience as a runner can help I will share a few thoughts.

•  Influence/impact: To be able to make an impact on the running community as a whole by representing all running clubs under HARRA.

•  Leadership opportunities

•  Recognition

List skills, abilities, hobbies, training, educational background or other volunteer experience that aids you in your volunteer support for HARRA: I am a people person so I enjoy working with the clubs and helping them with their articles for the newsletter. And as a runner I enjoy sharing the love of the sport in any fashion that I can whether it is by sharing training tips, reading material, or simply cheering on someone during their efforts. I am a parent and as a parent we acquire all kinds of skills in dealing with projects, people, deadlines, etc.

What benefits do you perceive from volunteering? Knowing there is a well-rounded representation from all the running community and in HARRA.

What can HARRA do to provide a positive experience for its volunteers? Let the volunteers make the choice of how they would like to serve the running community and then let them be included on the decision making for that particular event.

Thank you for volunteering!

JUNE/JULY 2003