from the December, 2014 issue of Kiai!

Giving Back: Volunteer Opportunities at Thousand Waves

By Senpai Michele Curley
1st Degree Black Belt and Volunteer Extraordinaire

Co-chair of Soji (bi-annual Dojo Cleanup), member of the TW Board of Directors, member of the Fundraising Committee, ASK teacher – these are some of the many wonderful Thousand Waves volunteer opportunities that I have held, and that are now open to you! No experience needed!

Tis the season of giving, and there are many ways you can make a difference by helping Thousand Waves fulfill its mission. Besides sending in an end-of-the-year financial donation, you could help out by volunteering! Some opportunities are providing food/beverages, setting up or cleaning up for our annual holiday party or for one of our black belt promotion parties. Others include taking a dojo clean-up shift or serving on one of our standing or ad-hoc committees.


Senpai Michele as co-ordinator of dojo cleanup
in December 2013.
All of these opportunities are open to both training members and parents/relatives/partners of training members! More information about new committees and other volunteer needs will be discussed at our annual membership meetings in January (on Sat., Jan. 10 for parents and on Sun. Jan. 11 for training members). In the meantime, I can tell you about some of the volunteer experiences that I have had at Thousand Waves.

Co-chair of Dojo Clean-up (Soji): I have helped Senpai Jim Winfrey (former co-chair) and Senpai Todd Scales (current co-chair) organize the fantastic volunteers who clean the dojo from top to bottom. Not only do we spruce up our training spaces, locker rooms, showers, lobby, windows and seating areas, we have loads of fun doing it! The good news is that Senpai Jeff Gore has agreed to take over my co-chair position for the next term. If you are gifted in organizing, how about considering taking over one of these co-chair positions when it’s time to pass the broom?

Dojo Clean-up Shift Worker: Before I became Soji co-chair, I helped clean the dojo once or twice a year. All training members are asked to volunteer for at least one cleaning shift per year (approximately two hours). There are two Soji opportunities – one in the summer and one the day after the annual holiday party in December. Mark your calendars and be sure to sign-up early to get your desired task!

Thousand Waves Board of Directors: The mission of the TW Board of Directors as stated on the TW website is to “maintain and extend the vision of the Center…, share in long and short term planning, with special attention to maintaining financial stability, strategic planning, … and increasing family and member involvement in the Center’s activities.” I am currently in my second (and last) term on the Board. Directors serve for terms of three years and, if desired, may serve more than one term. Being a director has been a very rewarding experience. If you are interested and feel that you may be able to make a unique contribution as a member of the Board, please feel free to talk to me or any other director for more information.

Fundraising Committee Member:  I have been a member of the Fundraising Committee for the past couple of years. This committee launched the Plum Blossom Society (recognition for donors who donate $1,000 or more per year) and strives to find ways to maintain and increase levels of giving to support the mission of Thousand Waves. Being on this committee has been a lot of fun – yes, fun! See me or Senpai Pat Broughton for more information. New members are always welcome!

ASK Volunteer Teacher: Being an ASK (Adapted Seido Karate) volunteer has been the most rewarding volunteer job that I have ever done. If you have seen ASK demos at the Punch and Kick-a-Thon or if you have seen ASK students at Thousand Waves promotion tests or tournaments, you know how hard they work and how much they love karate. There are not enough words to express the joy I experience volunteering with the ASK program. You are welcome to join us! See me, Sensei Rebecca Angevine (current director of ASK and one of its founders) or Senpai Denise Coleman for more information.

All of this TW volunteering may seem like a lot… and it is! One of the reasons for writing this article is to ask others to consider stepping up and helping out. Fear not. The board has discussed the structure of our committees and has suggested term limits for all long-term volunteer commitments. No one should be afraid to offer to serve on a committee because of fear of never getting off of it!

YOU could be a part of these volunteer groups, too! No experience necessary! All that is required is the desire to support Thousand Waves. Your efforts will definitely make a difference. Osu!