HARRA would like to salute and profile two of our members for their spirit of volunteerism: Ann Smith and Carol Tircuit. Both Ann and Carol have demonstrated volunteer excellence and leadership in support of our programs and activities. Below are the responses they provided to our profile questionnaire:
How long have you been a HARRA member? From the beginning.
Are you a member of a running club? Houston Harriers
Brief description of HARRA volunteer service performed (roles, responsibilities, relate an experience or story, etc.): I have helped my husband, Shawn Smith, mentor the Students Run Houston program in '98-99, Great experience! As A result one of the girls at Sam Houston High School found out that I used to do hurdles in high school, and asked me if I would help her with hurdles. It was fun to go back and do hurdles again reminding me of my high school days. I have also volunteered for Just for Kids Fun Run, and was certified in CPR/AED to be volunteering in future races. I serve on the HARRA committee that is working to improve water availability on Buffalo Bayou.
How did you get involved with volunteering or what motivates you to volunteer? I first was involved through my husband, Shawn Smith. I have participated in HARRA events for years, but never volunteered until last year. You definitely get back more than you put in - especially with the kids in the Students Run Houston program.
Which of the following are motivators for you? (Affiliation, accomplishment, influence/impact, recognition, leadership opportunities) Impact.
List skills, abilities, hobbies, training, educational background or other volunteer experience that aids you in your volunteer support for HARRA: CPR/AED certified. Currently, I'm finishing my last year of my Masters in Physical Therapy at UTMB. I love to run, bike, and swim or whatever it takes to be active outdoors.
What benefits do you perceive from volunteering? Meeting other people - both athletes and supporters; satisfaction that I might make a difference on someone - big or small; helps me keep my overly competitive spirit in perspective with the "big picture."
What can HARRA do to provide a positive experience for its volunteers? A simple "thank you" for helping and a pat on the back!
How long have you been a HARRA member? Since 1993
Are you a member of a running club? No. At present I'm just an independent, no affiliation, no commitment runner.
Brief description of HARRA volunteer service performed (roles, responsibilities, relate an experience or story, etc.): My volunteer history began back in 1988 as a course monitor for the Houston Tenneco Marathon. Since then I've volunteered in a number of different race locations primarily for the warm up series: water stations (amazing how fun, standing for hours in the cold with your fingers freezing from all the splashed water can be), finish line (who was it who won? All I saw was the race number), results (at least now I get a name with the number), chip distribution and retrieval (I knew all those squats during weight training would finally pay off one day), etc. For the past 3 seasons, I have been a Committee Member and Coach with Power in Motion. For anyone who has been running for years and takes it for granted, they should sign up to be a coach for PIM. What a thrill each week to see the excitement in your student's faces as they run further and/or faster than they have ever before. It brings back all those good memories of setting PR's… not like now when it just seems to be PW's!!
How did you get involved with volunteering or what motivates you to volunteer? I can't remember what motivated me to volunteer the first time back in '88. Since then a driving force behind my volunteer service has been Mercedes Tarley. All those who know Mercedes, can appreciate how somehow she gets you to volunteer for something before you realize what you are volunteering for!
Which of the following are motivators for you? (Affiliation, accomplishment, influence/impact, recognition, leadership opportunities) Probably affiliation and accomplishments for most of my roles. However, influence/impact probably comes into play with PIM. It's very rewarding to think that perhaps your motivation, encouragement, support, etc. can perhaps influence someone to become more excited about running and racing for either competition or personal enjoyment.
List skills, abilities, hobbies, training, educational background or other volunteer experience that aids you in your volunteer support for HARRA: I think the best background is being (and having been for 16 years) a runner. It gives you inside knowledge. As a volunteer you know what the runners want from you (get out of the way, don't fill the cup too high, etc.) and as a runner you now can appreciate the role of the volunteer (out on the race course before most runners even step out their front door, still on the race course while the runners are now on their way home or eating breakfast at Goode Company). Sometimes, racing is actually the easy part.
What benefits do you perceive from volunteering? It gives you a new and different perspective on running and introduces you to a whole new group of friends. Sometimes as runners, we can get rather solitary or isolated in running groups.
What can HARRA do to provide a positive experience for its volunteers? I think they are already doing it with the introduction of the VVIP program.
The month of September was very busy for VVIPs who managed the HARRA information booth at our Party In The Park, and the Marathon Kick-off Party, and for those that volunteered for the Just for Kids Fun Run. We also had nineteen members complete CPR/AED training and become members of our safety team at HARRA races and programs. HARRA would like to thank and recognize the following members who volunteered their time and efforts:
| Liz Arnold | Mercedes Tarley |
| John McCleery | Chiquita Taylor |
| Freddy Queen | Betty Toll |
| Robby Sabban | Burke Randolph |
| Debra Kempler-Smith | Camille Yarbrough |
| Specialy thanks to John Phillips who was our liaison for affiliated clubs for the event |
| Roger Boak | Katherine Lundy | Ann Smith |
| Jim Carlson | Joe Lohan | Suzanne Swift |
| Tracy Ciota | Ivy Martino | Debra Kempler-Smith |
| Mike Daniel | Leslie Peterson | Chiquita Taylor |
| Bob Hoekman | Tom Radosevich | Candy Lillibridge |
| Larry Lacroi | Joe Sellers | Tom Woltz |
| Jack Lippincott |
| Roger Boak | Katherine Lundy | Julie Rutledge |
| Chandra Boyett | Linda Mackie | Gail Sabanosh |
| Carlos Camacho | Wayne Malone | Scarborough Hig |
| Randy Carlson | Anthony Martinez | Donna Sellers |
| Chuck Cofer | Glenn May | Joe Sellers |
| Ralph Collins | Tom McBrayer | Ann Smith |
| Steve Costello | John McCleery | Bill Smith |
| Linda Croto | Susan Middleton | Joy Smith |
| Dianna Densmore | Susan Morrison | Shawn Smith |
| Theresa Drago | Kelly Morrissette | Suzanne Swift |
| Bill Dubinsky | Gary Mulvihill | Dennis Taoland |
| Rosemary Franklin | Leslie Peterson | Mercedes Tarley |
| Christi Gell | Rob Pfunder | Chiquita Taylor |
| Sadie Greeman | Vonda Pfunder | Leslie Taylor |
| Bill Hadley | John Phillips | Ron Taylor |
| William Hardwick | Dave Powell | Betty Toll |
| Rosa Herst | Judy Psenda | Carey Tynan |
| Arlen Isham | Freddy Queen | Kathryn Vidal |
| Kathy Jolly | Chris Rampacek | Bill Walker |
| Margaret Keith | Doug Rephlo | Gigi Wark |
| Debra Kempler-Smith | Jodie Rephlo | Dick Wimbash |
| Joe Lohan | Nancy Reuter | Val Wimbish |
| JoAnn Luco | Karen Rudolph | Camille Yarbrough |
| Vic Rudolph |
HARRA would like to express appreciation to all its members for their volunteer service.
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Page last updated: 21 December 1999