Volunteer, at your service!
Mar 15th, 2007 by sumit
I was at the Films of Desire as a volunteer. I am pleased to know of this blog. I hope to be able to share my experience and thoughts, mostly on the event, but not necessarily limited to that.
I have volunteered in various capacities and at various events but that has mostly been in religious /spiritual spaces. From there, I have learnt the spirit of volunteering. Little things we do may go unnoticed, like arrangement of tables and chairs, room lights, and this and that; but all of it is very important and adds to something big. It turns a shared idea into reality. It is important therefore to give every small bit our personal best.
Not just physically, even spiritually. It is important to connect with the spirit of the event, with the spirit of hospitality, with the spirit of speakers, audience, technical support and everyone around.
There were moments though of exasperation, irritation, frustration and arrogance even. That surely I can do better than this. Surely there is more to me that circulating mikes! That this audience is a bit silly.. The points they’re making are stupid and irrelevant.. I could do better. Why do I have to take care of this lot? I could be in a better place doing something better – elsewhere!
And that’s the time to run a check on my own spirit. To respect unconditionally. To be grateful for a new experience. To appreciate meeting people. To appreciate differences of views. To take what adds value, and to be generous in giving that what is needed - without begrudging the whole world!
This is to express my gratitude for being able to serve as a volunteer. It was an enriching experience for me. And I hope I was able to give more that I got.
Sumit
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Sumit Baudh
Senior Programme Associate
The South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality
11, Mathura Road (First Floor), Jangpura B, New Delhi 110014, INDIA
tel: +91 (0) 11 2437 9070, +91 (0) 11 2437 9071
fax: +91 (0) 11 2437 4022
eml: sumit@tarshi.net, s.baudh-alumni@lse.ac.uk
web: www.asiasrc.org
for what it’s worth, you were an awesome, and most ‘professional’ volunteer
it was a privilege to have worked with you, and the rest of the amazing CREA & TARSHI team. all of you rock!
agreed. you all did an awesome job! we were very fortunate to have such committed and ever-so-accommodating people running (and backing up) the show. thanks so much!
my most profound gratitude, too! my experience was simply exhilarating, and i attribute it to the remarkable effort of the organizers and volunteers to mind every detail and make things happen perfectly well!