September - Part 3 (Volunteer Crazy!)

In my "spare" time, I'm taking classes to earn SLCC's Event Management certificate. One of the assignments recently was to volunteer for an event. I fulfilled the assignment by volunteering at the Utah Symphony & Opera's Royal Gala, where I helped with check-in, enjoyed the dinner & program, and was back out on the town in a couple of hours, in jeans & my fancy hair - John & I felt like a high school couple out after the prom.

At this point I think I caught a volunteering bug... I helped one of my instructors set up a spa night she was in charge of for her company the night before the event and got a great manicure at the event the next evening!

Then, one of my friends had joined the Clark Planetarium Gala committee for her assignment and invited me to participate. She & I sold 'opportunity boxes' throughout the evening. They were little boxes and each one had a prize. It was a great event - food stations set up by various restaurants all over the planetarium, great colors, silent & live auction, and an amazing jazz band, which we discovered was a group of students from The Music School in American Fork...

I also happened upon a listing in Salt Lake magazine for the Susan Komen "Taste for the Cure" event - what could be better than an event combining a good cause, food & an Iron Chef style chef showdown? So I sent an email. A phone call & a volunteer meeting later and my roommate, a friend, her husband & I, were all committed to an evening of fun in pink aprons. Brandi & I are assigned to a demo kitchen & the chef showdown -I'll let you know how it goes!

Finally, as part of my final project, I joined Ballet West's fundraising gala committee. This one isn't until December, but I'll be meeting & planning with the committee along the way, so I may have updates. I am planning to soak in plenty of tips & ideas for my events & fundraisers!

I'm not sure how much of this volunteering spree is to distract me from my current work situation and how much is just that piece of me that thrives on being insanely busy, but I'm having fun, making connections, and learning from each experience. In the end, I really do love event planning and I enjoy picking up tips & ideas, helping other planners, and contributing to good organizations. I've already accepted an invitation to join the Planetarium's planning committee next year...as far as 2007 goes though, I think my schedule is full!