VolunteerSpotlight: Sabrina Lea, Council Director for Girls on the Run, Kansas City, MO

We love to highlight the good works of VolunteerSpot users all over the country.  Today our spotlight shines on Sabrina Lea, founder of Girls on the Run Council in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Please tell us a little about yourself and your role as a volunteer leader.

I started a Girls on the Run Council (GOTR) in Jackson County; it's a powerful after-school program for girls in grades 3 through 5 focused on building self-esteem, healthy habits and positive self-image.  I currently spend 20-30 hours a week moving it forward and also volunteer as the volunteer coordinator for Southwood Elementary School.

How did you get interested in becoming a volunteer leader?

My husband and I have a mantra, "It's not about me."  Living with that mind set reminds me that life is about helping out where I can without expecting anything in return.  I think that is a key to being both a volunteer and an effective leader.

In what ways are you involved in volunteering as a Parent?

I help out with my kids' school, Southwood Elementary School in Raytown, Missouri, by being on the PTA board as Historian and Volunteer Coordinator.  Professionally? I am currently running Girls on the Run of Jackson County as a full time volunteer.

As a volunteer leader, what are your scheduling and signup needs?

As volunteer coordinator, I need to have an easy and effective way to get parents and staff organized for school events.  For GOTR, we organize two 5K's a year, and need lots of volunteers to help in many different areas on race day from packet pick-up to finish line attendants .

What’s one piece of advice you have for volunteers or volunteer leaders out there?

Ask for help!  Don't feel like you have to do everything.  As a leader, it's pretty easy to fall into thinking, "If I don't do it, it won't get done."  And before you know it, you're doing everything and banging your head against the wall because it's too much.  People want to help, let them!

Why did you decide to use VolunteerSpot?

In the past, I've created a word document with a list of the volunteer needs, then sent e-mail to everyone.  Once I received a reply, I would then start filling in the blanks.  However, sometimes people would want to do only one job, and so I'd have 10 people signed up for something I really only needed 1-2 people for.  VolunteerSpot not only saves me time by sending just ONE e-mail and not having to organize by hand, but it also allows the volunteers to see exactly what help is still needed.  (short answer: because it is so convenient!)

What else would you like our readers to know?

If you're not already using VolunteerSpot, you should.  It saves you so much time and energy, allowing you to focus on other things!

Readers inspired to volunteer, donate, or learn more about Girls on the Run may do so here: GOTR Jackson County.

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We salute Sabrina Lea and all the volunteer heroes out there working for our kids! If you're using VolunteerSpot, write and tell us about what you're doing, and give us a chance to shine our Volunteer Spotlight on you!! Just email us at VS@volunteerspot.com.