Whenever events concerning the writing community have been put on, I’ve always found myself on the attendee side, enjoying the panels and booths available. Last week, I got to experience the other side as a volunteer.
A few weeks ago, I received an email from the League of Utah Writers asking for people to work at our table during the local FanX (our Comic-Con). This wasn’t the usual request for volunteers. Most of the time, there are leadership positions that need to be filled or presenters to showcase topics for conferences. However, sitting at a table talking about the League sounded like something I could handle. I had no idea what to expect. Luckily, everyone involved was super nice and had done this before. After a short wait outside of the venue, I was brought to the table and given a quick rundown of what to talk about to anyone who came up to us. Then it was go time.
Meeting new people in the League was one of my favorite things about volunteering last week. I had the opportunity to talk with members who have been a part of the organization for many years, as well as people who had joined less than a month ago. A few of the writers I met were published, which meant I got a chance to pick their brains and might have some networking contacts in the future. Better than that, I got to make new friends that are cheering me on as I try (to varying degrees of success) to do what I love.
Picture courtesy of author John M. Olsen (right). Stacy Condor is on the left, I’m in the middle.
Tidbit about me; I fall somewhere in the middle of the introvert/extrovert spectrum (if that’s what it’s still called). In a nutshell, I like interacting with people, but it’s draining after an extended amount of time. With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that eight hours of constantly talking to new faces and trying to address their interests and questions was taxing. That being said, I fully plan on doing this again next year!
In addition to making new friends and having a front row seat to all the amazing costumes at FanX, my favorite part of volunteering with the League was when someone would walk up to our table and say something to the effect of, “I have been looking for this! I was hoping to find a writing group. This is what I need!” The relief that I saw on so many faces when they came up to the table and I told them that the League was indeed for writers was wonderful to see. And happened more frequently than I expected. There were even a few of my day job coworkers who came up to the table who are considering joining. It just goes to prove that there are so many more writers out in the world looking for fellow authors to support them on their writing journey. I hope that we were able to successfully provide a few with a place they can share and improve their craft.
Fun aside, I definitely fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow that night.
Volunteering was worth every ounce of fatigue though. Being on the other side of an event was a special experience that made me appreciate all the work that goes into making them possible.
Check back at the end of November for my report on my attempt at NaNoWriMo this year!