Volunteer Experiences
It’s the time of the year when the Regional Conferences take place, and I was lucky enough to attend the South & Southeast Conference, held at The Old Thorns Hotel in Liphook.
I got to the hotel nice and early ready to help Kelly Young, the Volunteer Team Leader for the Region, set up the conference room with banners, Merchandise, Podium magazines and leaflets. As the Volunteers started to flow in it was lovely to see some familiar faces from last year. Back then I felt so new to the organisation, but still everyone made me feel welcome.
The 35 or so volunteers settled in their seats, ready to hear from our CEO, Matt Bazeley and begin their discussions and share their ideas. It’s interesting to see first-hand what these conferences can achieve by bringing the volunteers together. And it was amazing to hear the great new ideas and conversations, around the future, which often turn in to processes and eventually polices.
I got chatting to Dave Albery, who has been volunteering with CSSC for over ten years. Dave’s story was interesting he was a Civil Service employee and a ‘Rocket Scientist’. He graduated in 1961 and joined The Royal Aircraft Establishment and helped develop the space launcher while based in Farnborough between 1963 and 2010. Dave also mentioned his time in a very vibrant India, as well his adventures around the world, with his working taking him to places as far away as Australia and California. Dave was part of the crew that provided technical support within Defence and Military Departments.
Over his 10 years as a volunteer, Dave has been a treasurer for the South & Southeast and is currently a treasurer for the Farnborough area. He mentioned to me that being a volunteer has a positive social and wellbeing impact on him and he very much enjoys meeting all the different participants at events. While it keeps him busy, he said he is looking forward to his retirement, which I hope he enjoys when he does, much to CSSC’s loss.
I was delighted to see some new faces at the conferences. It’s always nice to see a mixture of volunteers both young and old, who all contribute their passions and ideas. Jessie is one such new volunteer for the South & Southeast Region. Jessie has many fresh ideas for some new events and how to increase participation, especially among young adults to become volunteers and join CSSC.
Attending these conferences really gives me a sense of focus as to where CSSC has come from, where it currently is now and how it can grow in the future, which I am really excited about. It’s informative to see what goes on behind the scenes and how hard the volunteers work to give up their time for something they’re passionate about.
I wonder what new ideas will be implemented through this year’s Regional Conferences and what 2024 has in store for us all?
Jessie receiving her Certificate of Recognition from Matt Bazeley
Dave Albery receiving his Certificate of Recognition from Matt Bazeley
