My name is Diane Fields and I have been a volunteer for Popejoy for the past 10 seasons.  In my day job, I am a psychiatric social worker at Presbyterian Health Systems.

I decided to volunteer at Popejoy because of my love and passion for performing arts and an understanding of the “shoestring” budget that most theatres operate on.  My first show as a volunteer for Popejoy was the Rolling Stones concert at UNM’s football stadium..  As a volunteer corp, we have come a long way since that concert.  Over the 10 seasons that I have volunteered, it has been wonderful to see the maturation of the volunteer program as well having the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people.    There have been many times after working all day that I ask myself “why do I keep volunteering. I don’t want to go work a show tonight.”  But once I get to the theatre, the buzz of live theatre, the excitement about another performance and the group effort involved in getting the show “to go live” always re-energizes me. 

Over the past season, I became a member of the newly formed Volunteer Advisory Committee. The committee, staffed with 10 volunteers with various years of experience, one house manager and Tram.  Tram created the committee to improve the lines of communication between volunteers and Popejoy staff as well as to increase volunteers’ involvement in updating processes.   Many issues have been discussed at the committee meetings including the new assistant house manger positions, ways of equitably completing jobs, Tram’s strategic plan for the volunteer corp, expectations of volunteers and volunteer’s capabilities of managing those expectations, the volunteer web site, and management of assignments for shows.  One thing that is discussed at every meeting is any concerns, needs, issues, etc. that volunteers have shared with committee members.  Our current work is around developing volunteer standards, so everyone is clear about the expectations of volunteers. I would encourage everyone to be aware of whom the members of the committee are and to keep abreast of the issues being discussed and to talk with any members about any concerns you may have.