Welcome to CAMP Rehoboth!
By the time this issue hits the streets, we’ll be in high Sundance-gear here at CAMP Rehoboth. In its 24th year, our annual Labor Day Weekend event has stood the test of time and remains our most successful fundraiser.
Last year, in the face of a laboring economy, we decided to expand the scope of Sundance and added the “Sundance 5K: Run, Walk or Sashay.” Held the Sunday prior to LDW, it created our first Sundance Week, and with over 200 participants, we were pleased with its inaugural outcome.
A year later, we’re now set for the second annual 5K to be held on Sunday, August 28, rain or shine. Whether you’re an avid runner or a casual walker, at the very least, you can sashay your way through the streets of Rehoboth. Register for 5k.
While runners, walkers, hosts, sponsors, amazing auction items, and great music will all contribute to the success of Sundance Week, it’s arguable that none of it would happen without one key element...our volunteers. Collectively, almost 200 volunteers will be needed to pull off our three Sundance festivities. Critical to all non-profits, they truly are the heart of our home!
Along with fellow Board members, Steve Hoult, Claire Ippoliti and Jane Blue, I serve on the Volunteer Development Committee here at CAMP. I can tell you we’re always striving to find ways to better the organization and to recognize and support this most important group of special people. For example, last year alone we held an annual Volunteer Appreciation Party, kicked off the recurring Volunteer Spotlight in Letters, expanded the Volunteers on Vacation program, and adapted our website to allow volunteers to sign up online.
On top of that, about a year ago, we also set a goal of establishing a Volunteer Orientation program in 2011. Why? For more than two decades, CAMP Rehoboth has been blessed with the support of a large group of dedicated and hard-working volunteers, coming to us from all walks of life.
While this has benefitted us in immeasurable ways, we felt it important to provide a means of welcoming new volunteers and introducing them to CAMP Rehoboth in a consistent, informative and, most importantly, fun way. It’s our hope that by doing so, we’ll be able to staff our events and the Community Center better, and ultimately serve the needs of our members, supporters, and the community better, as well.
Consequently, we began the Orientation process in January by searching our existing volunteer database for people who indicated prior volunteer, organizational, development and/or non-profit experience. We wanted to find individuals who could give us an outsider’s perspective and assist us with the creation of the program. After speaking to a number of people, we invited five to attend our first brainstorming session.
What a pleasant surprise it was when all five not only showed up, they almost immediately become one of the most productive and cohesive committees I’ve ever had the privilege of working with.
The other members of the Orientation Committee are Leslie Sinclair (now serving as Coordinator), Scott Steedman, Richard Theil, Rebecca Moscoso, and Richard Stonebreaker. Before her resignation from CAMP Rehoboth, Lynda Goold also worked on the Committee.
Fast forward: after nearly six months of preparation, we now we have a Volunteer Orientation program. Designed to be held on a monthly, or as-needed, basis, we were excited and proud to conduct our first Orientation on Saturday, August 18, with over 20 attendees. We’re confident it was well received but realize it will be a work in progress as we aim to make it as effective as possible.
Speaking of which, as much as we planned, one component arose during that first session we hadn’t expected, and it was a very positive one. During the icebreaker, participants were split into small groups and asked to collectively brainstorm their top three questions and concerns about becoming an active volunteer here.
Some of what came out of that conversation wasn’t easy to hear, tough love if you will, but it was all invaluable information that we’re now using to revise and make the program better, hopefully the organization as well. Much of the feedback has already been shared with the Board and staff.
The moral of the story, CAMP Rehoboth has already grown as a result of our first Volunteer Orientation and we’re eager to see this continue. As always, we want to hear from our volunteers, our members, our sponsors, and our supporters. We want to hear from you!
Our next Volunteer Orientation is scheduled for Saturday, September 10, in the Community Center from 10 a.m. to noon. Sign up to be a volunteer today. You can do so on our website, at camprehoboth.com.
Chris Beagle, a realtor in Rehoboth and former mortgage officer, serves on the Board of CAMP Rehoboth. Email Chris Beagle