VOLUNTEER PROFILE
BY MERCEDES TARLEY AND ROBERT GULLIVER
Name of volunteer: Dena Marks Sokolow
How long have you been a HARRA member? Since 1997 (I think)
Are you a member of a running club? Yes, Bayou City Road Runners
Brief description of HARRA volunteer service performed (roles, responsibilities, relate an experience or story, etc.): At the HARRA booth in various races...at the Kid ’s Run, trained as AED volunteers at the end of this
past season (but never got around to volunteering in that capacity) and coaches for Students Run Houston. A story to relate: I love to volunteer for HARRA because running has done so much for me!I really feel great when I can give back to the running community by helping other runners. Somehow, during the last couple of years, my husband, Harry, figured out how to hook up an amplifier (the type that would be used for an electric guitar) to a little CD player that he hooks into the car battery...As an experienced runner...I know how inspirational music can be during a race...so I am especially pleased that we provide music for runners at our water stops... and I take pride in helping to pick just the right music for running...energetic and inspirational and uplifting. Harry tends to prefer to play the music of the Village People (YMCA, In the Navy, etc.) and I like Oldies Rock ‘N ’ Roll, but anything lively will do! I love seeing people smile and thank us...One time, when we were doing that, a runner threw a dollar bill at me...and I asked “What ’s this?” And she said, “A tip! You ’re really great!” She wouldn’t let me give it back to her!
How did you get involved with volunteering or what motivates you to volunteer? Well, I think it ’s mainly what Harry said. I think our first volunteer job was during a 20K...at a water stop, and we were asked by Al Rico to help with that. After that, I responded to a HARRA e-mail, and Mercedes Tarley came into our lives, and the rest is history! (She ’s a wonderful volunteer coordinator. You should pay her more!) What motivates me? As I said...giving back, seeing smiles...being thanked, and just being able to repay a minute amount of what running has given to me. Also...being with friends is a powerful motivator. It ’s so much fun to volunteer with friends!
Skills abilities, etc. that aid volunteer support for HARRA: I ’m a teacher of First Aid and Community Safety, and I think that will help me as an AED volunteer. Other than that, being a runner and knowing how I like water handed to me at races, or questions runners are liable to ask help me....
What benefits do you perceive from volunteering? Well, I listed those above...but another benefit is meeting new friends in the running community. Runners are just generally great people!
What can HARRA do to provide a positive experience for its volunteers? Do what Mercedes does. Make things easy...be relaxed and easygoing about everything...have all the information volunteers need at hand...and the one thing that could be improved...closer restrooms during races, especially if you’re out on the course! That’s one reason we joined Bayou City Road Runners...because they have such a great port-a-potty!
Thank you for volunteering!
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2003
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Page last updated: 16 September 2001