Association Leadership - September/October 2008 - (Page 58)

the lighter side of associations Volunteering Stories… I was working as a volunteer at the Detroit Grand Prix about 10 years ago when near my gate I saw a man standing by himself. I wandered up and started a conversation with this very nice, knowledgeable gentleman. We hadn’t really looked at each other while watching the race, but as our conversation continued I looked over and noticed it was Tom Selleck – Old Magnum, P.I. himself. I didn’t say anything unusual, just continued the conversation and went on my way. Later, a camera crew noticed him and showed his picture on the television screens around the track, and he was mobbed by fans. But for about 10 minutes, it was just Tom, me and the Detroit Grand Prix. And then there was the time I shared an elevator with Paul Newman… that was pretty cool. Bill McCausland – Texas Exes In 2003, TASBO had a conference scheduled at the Austin Convention Center in the last week of February. Many of our members and board members arrived early to participate in pre-conference training and a board meeting. The ﬁrst day went smoothly, but that evening Austin was hit with a huge ice storm. Many of our members could not get to Austin and many of the TASBO staff members could not get from their homes in Austin to the convention center. Our wonderful board members and other volunteers who came in early pitched in to man the registration desk, help alter schedules and provide directions for those able to arrive in Austin before the ice storm did its damage. We all have horror stories to tell about the “Ice Conference,” but it is heartwarming to remember the wonderful volunteers who made sure the show went on. What would we do without them? Gwen Santiago, CAE – TASBO One of the beneﬁts of volunteering is the getting to meet new people – and in many cases, gaining life-long friends. When I moved to Austin, I volunteered to teach ﬁrst aid at the American Red Cross. I was paired up with a recent UT graduate and as we drove to Smithville to teach our ﬁrst class, we visited and had a great time. We taught several classes together and ended up getting married a year later. It’s been 28 years and we are still together. So, you never know what beneﬁts you’ll gain by volunteering. Beth Brooks, CAE – TSAE I was calling on a major gift prospect with one of my physician board members, data packet in hand, and in the elevator I asked, “How much are we asking him for, a thousand?” And he said “Hell no, his ego is bigger than that.” I said how about $120,000 for a research grant in his name? He said “Perfect!” On the call, the prospect refused to make the gift in his company name, but agreed to give it in the physician’s name (the physician was his own doctor). What a nice surprise and tear jerker! Ralston Creswell, CAE – American Diabetes Association When I worked for PBS, I had the opportunity to bring Julia Child in for a book signing, and while in Dallas we did a very exclusive gathering at the original Sonny Bryan’s on Inwood. We got her to go into the very small kitchen to make a BBQ brisket sandwich while she sipped on a cold Pearl Beer with all of us. This truly was a site I will remember for the rest of my life. Jesh Batra – The Adolphus The most rewarding volunteer experience has been with North Dallas Shared Ministries. This agency provides $2.5 million in services each year and sees more than 50,000 people as an emergency aid center, in addition to running a clothes closet and a growing medical clinic for the working poor. The thing that is amazing to me is the organization is staffed by 500 volunteers and there is a CEO and one part-time paid administrative assistant. A special part of my relationship with NDSM is that I get to collaborate with my wife, who serves as the agency’s CEO. Collin Rorrie, CAE – OPIS 58 Association LEADERSHIP | September/October 2008 Barb: “Hi, Robert Plant, I’m here to put your microphone on!” Robert Plant: “It’s been a long time since a woman’s put her hands ‘round my neck.” Barb: “Hi Pete Townshend, I’m here to put your microphone on!” Pete Townshend: “Cool! I get a chick audio person!” Can’t put the one about Courtney Love in print. Barbara Glaser Fryer – Freeman

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Association Leadership - September/October 2008

Association Leadership - September/October 2008 Contents President’s Column Homepage 60-Second Solutions An Interview with TSAE’s New Chairperson TSAE’s Newest Board Members Vetting Volunteers Orientation of Volunteer Leaders Get on Board – Qualification Considerations Questions to Ask Before Saying Yes Liability Insurance for Volunteer Leaders Committee Planning TSAE’s Annual Golf Outing Congratulations to Our New CAEs Perspectives Association Case Study New Members Community Spotlight San Antonio Beaumont Index to Advertisers Advertiser.com The Lighter Side of Associations

Association Leadership - September/October 2008

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