After more than a decade, Jane Flounders has stepped down as the Stamford Historical Societys volunteer coordinator to do what she enjoys most: volunteer.
Im doing all this clerical work, and I want to get back to volunteering, said Flounders. And, I really feel there must be change. You need a new pair of eyes, a new mind, fresh new energy. So its time.
Flounders became volunteer coordinator 11 years ago. I was given a sheet of paper with five names on it. I said, Whats that? They said, Those are our volunteers. Consolidating duties previously split between two administrators, Flounders built up the volunteer force to a current average of 76 people donating 7,000 work hours a year. Ranging in age from 14 to 90, they work in well over a dozen areas, including educational programs, research and data entry, thrift shop staff, event hospitality, exhibit docent staff, membership and computer maintenance.
As long as people are interested in what theyre doing, thats whats important, said Flounders about matching volunteers with appropriate tasks.
Flounders has enjoyed volunteering for nearly 60 years. Fulfilling a student requirement at what was then Low-Heywood High School, she chose Stamford Hospital as her weekly volunteer assignment. Shed deliver flowers, pour fresh water into containers and just generally help out when needed, she said.
What I liked about it was meeting peoplejust unknown, nameless peopleand feeling good about it.
Later, when juggling family and career (first in publishing, then insurance), Flounders volunteered in school libraries and at other locations. She now looks forward to working on favorite historical society projects, such as the pre-Revolutionary War Hoyt-Barnum House.
Its amazing whats always just around the corner, said Flounders. Im 72 years old now. And here I am, still finding things to do as kind of a virgin trip.
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