Volunteer Voices: “Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something”
The Smithsonian community encompasses thousands of dedicated staff, contractors, fellows, interns, retirees, post-docs and especially, volunteers. This month, we are launching a new feature on Torch, Volunteer Voices. This is where you will find news about volunteer programs and opportunities, profiles, awards and recognition, special events–anything and everything affecting our Smithsonian volunteers.
Each day I walk through the doors of the Castle, and see our volunteers standing ready to help visitors at the information desk; or a docent preparing for their first tour of the day, or hear our Call Center volunteers answer a question, and I can’t help but feel energized by their commitment and dedication. In that moment I am reminded that I am part of something bigger; I am part of a larger mission to support our Smithsonian volunteers and it is in this role that I am most at home.
Six years ago, I was a volunteer at a small conservation museum in Virginia. I had volunteered for larger organizations in the past, but never regularly – committing only to special events…and not very often. But during that first month of volunteering, something just clicked and I never looked back.
Every day our volunteers come together to serve because they share the same passion for the Smithsonian – it is that passion that attracted me to the volunteering six years ago, and it is the same passion that drives me now to find new ways to tell your story – the volunteer story.
Volunteer Voices on Torch is your voice and our opportunity to share the story of volunteering at the Smithsonian – to learn more about Smithsonian volunteers through spotlights; to hear about new programs and new opportunities across the institution. This is our chance to tell your story.
But who are we? Maybe I should have lead with that….
I’m Kris Hamilton – my full name is Kristina Marie Martinez Hamilton, but only my mom calls me Kristina Marie so let’s keep it simple: call me Kris! I am the volunteer recruitment and retention assistant with the Office of Visitor Services. When I was asked to help lead this new initiative, I jumped at it! I’m a social media junkie and avid blogger so knowing I am going to get paid to write and post….well, I can’t stop smiling.
But I’m not alone!
They say it takes a village: so we have a team of volunteer contributors that you will meet over the next few months as they add their own unique take on life at the Smithsonian. Not to mention the army of program coordinators that will share news about individual volunteer programs under the guidance of the Torch editor.
But the most important contributor is you. I want to hear from you: “nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something”. I can’t do this alone nor would I want to. You are the author of your story, I’m just the publisher. So share with us, tell me your story and what you want to see each week and we will work hard to make it happen.
Thank you for your service!
Related posts:
Posted: 9 April 2018
- Categories:
