Volunteer? Who? Me?

You have to be joking. I just ended up involved somehow. Ten years have passed, and I’m up to the eyeballs in playing, organising, photographing, captaining, cajoling, mentoring, monitoring, developing, evaluating, emailing and promoting sport in our community.
“How much do you get paid for ‘running’ Freezone or your work with Team Sydney?” I was asked today. When I explained our non-profit organisation functioned on the smell of a pair of worn sneakers, the club member was flabbergasted.
Seven years ago, I enjoyed walking into the hall, paying my fees and playing my sport. As a nice human being I helped with the set-up and pack-up of equipment, and always left to be home in time for tea. Today it takes longer to leave, playing time is less as organisational tasks or team issues get sorted out, and there are meetings every once in a while.
Why do the organisational thing then? What’s in it for me? Is it an ego trip? Possibly. But trips like that have ends also.
Our community lives on altruism. Senseless acts of kindness to strangers, generosity of time, energy and money to raise a new generation of gays and lesbians, without political agendas. People who aim to make and leave the world a better place through involvement in sport, the community and the education of the sporting population and the community at large that we are active, fit and healthy members of society. We are targeted for outrageous or extreme behaviours, yet the Sydney Convicts appearance on The Footy Show highlights the normality of our sports.

info: With the upcoming Annual General Meeting of Team Sydney a call is put out to all sports lovers and member clubs: Get Involved! Contact the president or registrar via www.teamsydney.org.au