The Volunteer Appreciation BBQ was held at the CRC offices in Burlington on June 9, 2010. Chris Meehan of CRC Communications reports on this much anticipated annual event.
The Christian Reformed Church in North America’s Canadian office recently held a festive, annual gathering that included a BBQ to honor and thank the people who volunteer throughout the year to help the CRCNA carry out its mission of "transforming lives and communities worldwide."
The annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration and BBQ "is a time for office staff to spend some down time with those volunteers who come week after week to give of their time, gifts, skills, and hearts for service," says Carol Sybenga, program manager of ServiceLink, the program that links and makes arrangements for people to volunteer in various aspects of the denomination’s ministry.
"It's (the gathering) an opportunity to recognize their dedication and commitment – it's an opportunity for staff to share what our volunteers mean to the functioning of our agencies, programs and services."
Staff and volunteers intermingled as they spoke and ate, all the while celebrating – mostly in small, personal ways – the work of the church. Employees of the CRCNA and volunteers had a chance, says Sybenga, “to connect on a more personal level with each other.”
In addition, it allowed CRC staff to say, "Thank you for being part of our team. We appreciate you so very much," says Sybenga.
During this year's event, volunteers were recognized and acknowledged for the specific tasks they do from week to week by the staff who they work with on a regular basis.
Volunteers engage in numerous tasks among CRC agencies and programs including the following:
• Packaging TODAY booklets
• Filing & archiving
• Data entry
• Judging World Missions poster contest
• Filling Conference binders
• Fixing light fixtures
• Leg work on research
• Assist Communications team
• Phoning constituents
• Take care of our plants
• Stock the bookstore
• And more.
"This year our theme focused on water with a devotion based on Ezekial 47 to start our event," says Sybenga, adding that the devotion was made a little more relevant because it was raining outside.
Back to 'Stories'
