April is National Volunteer Month, which gives all of us a great opportunity to say thank you to the many volunteers that make USA Fencing a successful organization. Over the past several years, I have had the good fortune to work with many dedicated and talented people from board members to division officers to committee members to event organizers at all levels. Each individual brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that collectively makes us better.
The common denominator among all the individuals who volunteer from USA Fencing? While they might all say it differently, I believe that it can be summarized as the willingness to give back to the sport they love. Some are fencers, some are parents of fencers, some are people who took a different path to the sport, but all are passionate supporters of fencing.
I’ve heard people say over and over again: “Fencing is like a second family to me.” In many cases, this second family becomes the people you share lifelong memories with – at tournaments, in the club or on fencing trips.
Over the next few months, there are a number of ways that we will honor and recognize our volunteers. USA Fencing President Don Anthony honors individuals who have contributed to both the sport and the organization with special awards presented at Summer Nationals. We have implemented a new program, the Spirit of Sport, which provides an opportunity to recognize those that give so much to the sport.
In addition, we’ll be highlighting volunteers during National Volunteer Week – April 23-29, 2017. I invite each of you to send in the name of a volunteer that has made a difference in our sport as well as a paragraph describing his or her contributions to information@usfencing.org.
So, please join the National Office in thanking the volunteers that serve our sport, not only in April but all year long. We appreciate your selfless service and the organization couldn’t do it without you!
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