When I was initially approached by another East Bay CDS member a few years ago to be a volunteer on the Show Committee I was definitely willing but a little reluctant at the same time. Oh my! I have a long, daily work commute to San Francisco, frantic job, horse, home, husband, and cat and dog responsibilities! I was worried that I would feel stressed and stretched, but then I thought, gee, my schedule is really not that different than anyone else’s, so I committed to the challenge.
On Show Day, I found that I thoroughly enjoyed myself as a volunteer and especially felt a new, deep appreciation for those dedicated individuals who had donated their time to make all of shows in which I was a competitor possible. Little did I realize the number of hours the Show Committee spends around someone’s kitchen table on a Sunday afternoon collecting entries, coordinating minute by minute ride schedules, delegating and dividing responsibilities, ensuring proper care of the Judge and generally thinking of every possible detail to make my show day experience as a competitor the very best it could be. It was an awakening moment for me on many levels! All of these show volunteers are committing their precious, personal, discretionary time and applying their own individual areas of expertise so I can enjoy six minutes of competition. Wow, that was humbling and I realized that my few hours of donated volunteer time at a show to help someone else experience those 6 minutes of heart-thumping competition was well spent. It also made me feel good in the process!
I encourage you to consider being a volunteer at one or several of our CDS East Bay Chapter events. You will meet your fellow Dressage enthusiasts, make new friends as well as gain insight to the background details of hosting a show, dinner, clinic, lecture or any other future, fun event your Chapter has in store for you. We look forward to seeing you at these events, as a participant or valued volunteer!
Also, we send out a heart felt thank you to all of our amazing East Bay CDS Chapter volunteers, your commitment and dedication is appreciated beyond measure!
Thank you EB CDS Volunteer Stars!
If you have an interest in volunteering, please click the link below for additional information.
http://cdseastbay.org/volunteer/
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