The Indianapolis Winter Farmers Market (IWFM) began on a grassroots level in 2008, the brainchild of Laura & Tyler Henderson. The IWFM brings fresh, local, sustainable, and seasonable produce to Indianapolis
residents during the winter months when the more robust markets are
closed. Today, our Volunteer Spotlight shines on Andrea Townley, IWFM Market Manager.
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Please tell us little about yourself and your current role as a volunteer leader.
When the market began, there was no budget and no space for the Market, and the organizers had no experience running a market. They simply became friends with the farmers and producers who sold to them, and saw the need for a winter venue where people could buy and sell local food.
The original market in downtown Indianapolis was supposed to last for seven weeks – it ended up being 24. Last year the IWFM averaged about 25 vendors and 400 shoppers per week…way beyond their expectations! This year, we have 50 vendors (with more on the waiting list) and over 1000 shoppers per week. I stepped in because the need was there! I’m in charge of collecting vendor fees and help with the weekly newsletter. I delight in being at the Market every week from start to finish – it’s just so much fun! Early in the season, people started asking how they could help. So, I became volunteer leader! The whole project has grown in a completely organic way, with us responding to what is needed. My role as volunteer leader is to provide information to individuals on how they can help, and then coordinating the volunteer schedule.How did you get started with volunteering?
I’m 25, and I’ve had little real experience volunteering until I started last year with the IWFM. I’d volunteer here and there but the difference with this is that I’m completely personally invested in the project itself. There’s such an amazing energy that comes with a community-driven cause that starts from the ground up. And the people I work with – friends – are wonderful and make volunteering more like play than work.
Tell us about your organization and your volunteer needs.
Like I said before, the IWFM brings fresh, local, sustainable produce, food products, and home goods (soaps, natural cleaning products, textiles, etc.) to the greater Indianapolis area. It takes place every Saturday from Nov 14, 2009 to April 24, 2010 from 9am to 12:30pm EST at 901 N East Street, Indianapolis IN, 46202. It is a grower-grower/producer market, meaning that the vendors only sell what they grow or produce themselves. We invite volunteers to help with the following tasks:
• Setting up vendor stalls prior to the Market on Saturday morning, and assisting vendors with unloading
• Staff the Market Information Table
• Help vendors break down and reload at the end of the Market
• Promote/represent the Market at community events
How do you inspire others to volunteer?
By having a great time when I’m volunteering myself! The entire success of the Market, I feel, goes back to the fundamental point that everyone involved is having a good time. People pick up on that, and want to be a part of it. They can sense the passion that the Market staff brings to the work. So there are no tricks to inspiring volunteers – just be yourself, enjoy your work, and you’ll attract people to you. If we’re not enjoying what we do, why would anyone else want to do it?
Why did you decide to use VolunteerSpot?
One of my good friends is a Volunteer Coordinator for Global Gifts, a fair-trade gift store in Indianapolis, and we sought out her help. She recommended VolunteerSpot and I’m totally in love with it! Very hands-free on my part.
What's one piece of advice you have for other volunteer organizers out there?
I think that the best way to lead others is to lead yourself. Monitor your internal experience – are you having fun, are you experiencing joy? Because if you’re not having fun, then the work is not sustainable. You might still have a bad day sometimes, but the overwhelming feeling behind the project should be one of joy, good will, and genuine interest and care about other people (and animals and the environment, etc.). People will want to be around you and help if you emanate this kind of positive energy.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know about your organization or volunteering?
Buy local! Support your local economy, your local growers, your environment, your health, your community, your future. If there’s something you would like to see in your community, then find out what you can do to make it happen. Don’t wait for someone else to do it. Have a great support team of like-minded individuals who can find the humor in everything. Because we cannot do anything alone!
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Next time yuo're in Indianapolis, come on down:
Indy Winter Farmers Market, 901 N. East Street,Indianapolis, IN 46202
The IWFM is open Saturdays 9:00am-12:30pm from mid-November through mid-Apr 24.info@indywinterfarmersmarket.org
www.indywinterfarmersmarket.org
And on Facebook!
We salute Andrea and all the volunteer heroes out there in the community. 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.
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