Shedding some light on volunteering

Some people have mentioned that they are shy about volunteering, or don't have much time, or don't know what they could do that would be helpful, or they are physically challenged in some way that make a lot of physical activity difficult or impossible.    Well, let me encourage you  to read on.   There are a lot of small jobs that might just work for you and be immensely helpful to LCAC.     I'll take you behind the scenes and tell you about the last two days and maybe it will give you a little insight.

Friday and Saturday  a group of volunteers along with Small Works and Itty Bitty Art Show Chair Caroline Henry, and LCAC Pres JC Strote, have been busy taking in art for the next show.     Not just LCAC members, but also some artists from outlying areas brought in their art to show, and hopefully to sell.   

Here is what you would have found if you came into the gallery.    In the center of the gallery there was a table with entry forms, so if an artist had not filled in their paperwork, they could sit there and fill them out.  In front of the check out counter, a table was set up to take in the itty bitty pieces, and in the next room, a second table was set up for the larger size works.  At each table a volunteer checked the paperwork and issued a control number for each piece of art.  The volunteer then moved the art to the studio room where it was then placed on tables. (Part of the time another volunteer was available who would move the art.)      

In front of the Student Art  a table was set up  with a volunteer who took in the money, made out receipts,  and signed up artists to sit the gallery.    Over at the counter one of the experienced volunteers entered information from the paperwork and control numbers into the computer database.     

You can see it takes quite a few people to make this run smoothly and efficiently - particularly when several artists arrive at the same time with their art.    

 One of the reasons I'm telling you all the little details, is to show you that being a volunteer is not a complicated thing.  The jobs are defined and simplified so a new person can step right in and feel comfortable, with plenty of help available if needed.     

We can always use more volunteers for all our activities.   I hope I'm not making it sound dull and uninteresting, because it's actually so much fun, some of us would not want to miss any of these take in days.   There are always silly things that happen, some good natured kidding, slow times when people get to chat and step back to look at the art.    You get to meet the artists as they bring in their work, and can talk to them about it.    Most like having people interested in their art and are happy to describe the process or materials they used.    I've learned a lot this way.  

We had some first time volunteers yesterday and it was fun getting to know them better and having them there made a world of difference in how well things went.    You know the old saying, it takes a village?    Well, that's the way volunteering days go.    The more people show up, the smoother it goes.  

Thanks to those of  you who came to help, or stayed around to help when  you dropped off your work.   Nothing could get done without our volunteers.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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Soon we will be looking for volunteers for the Spring Art Show.  There will be take in days, days to move the art, and the days of the show and benefit evening event.   There are also a lot of before the show kind of jobs, like getting ready for the raffle, labeling post cards, etc.   There will be dozens of  volunteer jobs to sign up for.    I'm not kidding, it takes a bigger village for this show.   Think of volunteering as a kind of adventure, it gets you away from your normal routine and gets you involved  with fellow artists and art lovers.   It's such fun.

When the call goes out for volunteers figure out what your strengths and skills are, what your interests are, and we will help you find a good fit.    Are you a people person?     A shy person?  A worker bee?   A leader type?     Do you have 2 hours you can commit to?    4 hours?     More?   Do you like paper work?  Do you like to work on your feet, or do you prefer to sit?   

Some of the jobs are more sedentary for those with some physical limitations, or who just prefer those jobs.    And there are plenty of more strenuous jobs  for those who like the physical activity, like moving art and hanging it.    All volunteers are given directions, and you will soon go with the flow and fit right in.

Do plan to join us for a volunteer adventure in the future, or if you have not volunteered for awhile, we'd love to have you sign up again.      

You'll hear more about all this later, but do start considering joining the fun.