Originally published in the Mazama Bulletin—view the full January 2019 issue.
What does it mean to be a volunteer? Sure, it can mean missing out on an epic powder day, teaching basic knots rather than sending routes with your friends, standing in the rain at White River in January, or hiking a trail you’ve walked dozens…of…times.
But is that what volunteering really is? Maybe you missed that powder day in order to help demonstrate avalanche awareness skills, which may one day save a life. The students learning those knots—they might become your future climbing partners. Despite the rain, you watched a student at White River finally make a successful kick-turn and beam triumphantly. That hike you found a bit boring? Maybe you were leading a group of first-time hikers who had never before escaped the roar of city traffic.
Let me come clean on this one—when I first learned that most Mazama activities and classes are partially (or fully) volunteer-run, I was skeptical. Is it OK for people to spend so much of their valuable time doing something they don’t get paid for? Do volunteers bring as much skill and effort to something when, let’s face it, they don’t have to? After volunteering with the Mazamas for going on three years now, I can confidently answer with a resounding yes.
Our volunteers are an incredible bunch of people. They put in long hours on and off the mountain or crag. They lead, assist, plan, teach, mentor, and become friends. Some help in the field, others in the classroom, others still at a desk with pen (or keyboard) in hand. Some get personal recognition, many don’t. But all of them (me included) are here for the same reason—to help spread the joy of being in the mountains. Building skills and forming lasting relationships are convenient side effects.
At its heart, volunteering is all about giving back—but that doesn’t mean you don’t get anything from it. Assisting for a course lets you attend lectures a second (or third, or fourth…) time, and assisting in the field offers welcome time to practice your skills. You can attend sold-out events by contributing just a few hours of your time selling raffle tickets or helping set up the show. We all know that learning by teaching is a true occurrence, and you get to practice your leadership skills at the same time. And watching students, event-goers, leaders, and fellow volunteers grow and show appreciation for your assistance is rewarding on a deep level.
The Mazamas wouldn’t be the organization it is today without our volunteers. You make our classes, skill-builders, events, hikes, camps, presentations, lodge, library, and other programming possible. You bring many talents and personalities that unite this organization into a community dedicated to teaching, learning, and having fun. To those of you who already volunteer: thank you. To those of you who are thinking about it: come join us!
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