How did you come to live in Prineville?
I am proud to say that I am a native Oregonian. Marriage brought me to Bend 40 years ago, and Bend is where my husband and I raised our family. Wishing to remain in Central Oregon, but seeking that comfortable small town feel that we always valued growing up and during our early years in Bend, my husband and I relocated to Prineville 2 years ago.
Tell us about your education, work and volunteer background.
I am truly a lifelong learner and never tire of expanding my knowledge and learning new things. In what I refer to as my first life (time before family), I pursued a degree in Elementary Education at U of O. I was fascinated when working with the young children and experiencing with them those magical moments when random letters on a page suddenly turn into words and words into exciting stories – such fun!
In my more current life I had the amazing joy of attending OSU Cascades and graduating in 2010 Summa Cum Lauda in Liberal Studies with a focus in communication. That educational journey was an extremely special and rewarding experience.
Volunteering and career have often overlapped in my life. Early volunteer experiences led me to a career focused in administration and resource development work with non-profits. Our children attended a small independent school, pre-k through 12. As an involved mom I volunteered in the classroom, helped in the office and put on the first book fair. That introduced me to the world of fundraising and started my life-long career working with non-profits. I was recruited to serve as Director of Admissions and Development (fundraising and friend-raising) for the school. That title carried with it many duties, including coordinating the volunteer program. Volunteers were vital to the school operation and included board members, organizers of the annual auction, substitute bus drivers, classroom helpers, library assistants and on and on.
Next, as manager of Mirror Pond Art Gallery in Bend, I relied on volunteers to work the gallery sales floor 8 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most volunteers were themselves artists, and they took time from their own studios to help. They hung artwork, dusted shelves, shared artistic knowledge with visitors, made sales and served wine during the First Friday Art Walk. Things didn’t run without volunteers.
As a former volunteer for the St. Charles Foundation, creating solicitation letters and articles for the Foundation to utilize in fund-raising efforts, I was struck by the important role the many caring hospital volunteers played in the daily workings of the hospital.
Finally, I served as Director of Resource Development with United Way. Once again volunteers played a key role in reaching our fundraising goals. I had the privilege of working with dedicated board members along with dozens and dozens of workplace volunteers who took on the task to lead yearly United Way campaigns at their workplace. Success was thanks to the efforts of the volunteers!
Why did you initiate a Volunteer Program for Rimrock Trails?
For me, Rimrock Trails offers a combination of my favorite things, education, kids and a reputable organization with a dedicated team working to provide a valuable service. The trained and caring people at Rimrock assist young individuals in overcoming challenges and reaching their true potential for their own health and well being, better prepared for the adult world they will soon enter. Experience has shown me the extreme gifts volunteers can provide when sharing their talents to enrich a program and assist staff and administration in fulfilling the mission of an organization.
What are you hoping the impact of the Volunteer Program will be on the organization, volunteers and the larger community?
An organized volunteer program with dedicated volunteers energizes an organization and helps enrich the service it provides. Willing volunteers assist with basic office tasks such as filing, making copies, stuffing mailings, thus freeing up staff members to use their specialized training where most needed. Client programs are made richer by volunteers sharing their talents in workshops sharing arts and craft projects, career talks, writing a resume, employment interview techniques, personal finance, cooking, writing, yoga, aerobics – there is no limit of ideas and opportunities. Volunteers also receive a priceless reward for their efforts – a feeling of making a difference, self-fulfillment, sharing knowledge and living life to the fullest.
Is there anything else you would like the community to know about Rimrock Trails and your involvement in the volunteer program?
Do you have one single hour, or an hour a week, a month, or a quarter? Do you have a hobby, a skill, or an interest? Do you want to make a difference in your life and the life of another? Give a call to 541-447-2631 - We have a life changing opportunity for you!
