Volunteers

USTA Volunteers Make All The Difference

National Volunteer Appreciation Month

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month. Thank you to the many volunteers in our section who dedicate themselves to service in their tennis communities. Volunteers run CTAs and community programs, work at tournaments, advocate for tennis, serve on committees, and promote and develop the growth of tennis. We would like to thank all of the volunteers who make the many USTA events and programs fun, exciting and possible. You are the lifeblood of our organization.

Volunteers, Volunteers, Volunteers: 
National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Every president since has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week. Additionally, governors, mayors and other elected officials make public statements and sign proclamations in support of the event.  National Volunteer Week is typically the 3rd week of April.

Since 1974, National Volunteer week has expanded in many organizations and now all of April is National Volunteer Month.  National Volunteer Month is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their community. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, we have the ability to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals. National Volunteer Month is about taking action, encouraging individuals and their respective communities to actively demonstrate their collective power to foster positive transformation. 

Many of you reading this are volunteers.  You volunteer in your local community organizations, through your church, through your kids’ schools, through charitable causes, through organization affiliations, and for several specific events as well.  It’s great to  know that we all like to help others and give our time and our talents to those who need it, and to support our passions and hobbies too. 

As we close out National Volunteer Month, I wanted to say thanks to all of you for all your volunteer efforts within the USTA and all of your other volunteer efforts as well.  Volunteerism for many is lifestyle and a commitment to give back to and ensure one’s talents are used to help greater causes.

Over the next few months, the Missouri Valley volunteer committee with be focused on several key initiatives:
   - Volunteer Recruiting – Identifying new volunteers, including those that are interested for specific positions, causes and events.
   - Volunteer Events – Publishing a calendar of events to provide better visibility and planning for events that need volunteers.
   - Volunteer Recognition – Ensuring that the USTA - Missouri Valley recognizes and properly rewards exceptional volunteers.
   - Creating volunteer profiles – Helping track volunteer talents and favorite events, etc.

I hope all of you consider how you can best support the USTA through your time and talents.  There are always very fun and important ways to help, and become more involved in transforming the USTA, and the Missouri Valley.

Stay tuned for progress updates on our important initiatives.  If you have any questions or ideas on how to improve our volunteer efforts or if you are interested in volunteering yourself, please contact your local district volunteer contact, or feel free to contact me directly – t_kunkel@hotmail.com.

Tim Kunkel
USTA Missouri Valley – Volunteer Chairman

Volunteers inspire by example. Become inspiring today!

April 10- 16 is National Volunteer Week. Find a way to support the growth of the game you love. Become involved in tennis in your local community! Volunteers create energy in their communities by their simple actions. There’s an easy way for you to support the growth of the game you love: VOLUNTEER! Get involved and inspire! Find volunteer contacts and opportunities to become involved in tennis in your local community. ?

The USTA Missouri Valley is always looking for a few good men and women to help join our cherished volunteer team! Volunteers are the lifeblood to an organization as dynamic and all-encompassing as the USTA Missouri Valley, and we want and need your help.

If you're energetic, enthusiastic, tennis savvy (or not), and would like to lend your unique tennis or professional skills to help us grow the sport here in the USTA Missouri Valley, opportunities abound.

Interested in helping run a local tournament site, event booth, or maybe helping out with administrative tasks? Maybe you’re a teaching pro and would like to help conduct clinics for children, seniors or another type of group in your area?

Whatever your experiences, we will find a way to put them to use to help grow this game if you’re passionate! Prior volunteer experience is NOT a requirement. Only enthusiasm is!

If you’re interested in giving back to the game and want to know how, please contact your local District representative below to inquire about volunteer opportunities available in your area. There is also a District Volunteer Application form we would like all volunteers to fill out, so we can better tailor your volunteer experience and fit with your schedule. It is available in both printable (PDF) and online versions.