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For the last 15 years, Shirley Sessions has helped round up and organize volunteers for a variety of community organizations in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties.
In her role as director of HandsOn Savannah, a service unit of the United Way of the Coastal Empire, she oversees as many as 9,500 volunteers — “from 5-years-old to 80.”
Now, she’s leaving. On April 23, during her organization’s 35th Annual Volunteer Recognition and Awards luncheon, she announced June 27 will be her last day with HandsOn Savannah.
In recognition of her contributions to the community, the group announced the creation of a new award that will start next year and will be named in Sessions’ honor to recognize the volunteer administrator of the year.
While she’s still in her job, the Savannah Morning News sat down with her to ask a few questions about her life and her work:
Q: Any other jobs?
A: “I run an inn out of my house,” a bed-and-breakfast called the Bluebird Inn at 1206 Venetian Drive on Tybee Island.
Q: Family?
A: Sister, Sandy McCloud
Q: Pets?
A: Cats Ollie, Biggs and Mr. Peepers
Q: Background?
A: “I grew up in Atlanta and went to Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. I had a career with AT&T, but I took an early buyout and moved to Tybee in 1998. I would come to the beach on vacations and I fell in love with Tybee. When I moved here, I didn’t want to go back to corporate America. I saw a position in the paper for a volunteer coordinator, and I got the job.”
Q: Why did you want to work with volunteers?
A: “I was interested in something that, at the end of the day, I could feel like I was making a positive difference to the community. Making a difference through partnerships and collaboration with nonprofits, with government and with schools to identify the needs not being met in the community. And together work to connect programs that make a difference.”
Q: How many volunteers?
A: “9,500. From five years old to 80… There are individuals who work for projects. There are a lot of people who sign up to work in schools, work with senior citizens, work for the Humane Society.”
Q:What kind of projects?
A: For example, “I touched base with the Salvation Army to see what needs they had. We got money to buy new mattresses. We used volunteers to replace the mattresses. And we revamped the floors — took out old linoleum and put in new tiles.”
Q: Other projects?
A: “We do beach sweeps four times a year, but it’s not just picking up trash. We explain what is the impact on marine life for litter … Marine life like sea turtles think trash is food, and I saw a bird trying to fly with a plastic bag around its neck.”
Q: Why are you successful?
A: “Because we realize the power of people. We believe in the value of partnerships and collaboration with all non-profits, schools, corporations … We reach out to corporations like Gulfstream, Target — and to Armstrong and Savannah State. We give them a description of what we want to do with volunteers. When people understand what the needs are they want to help.”
Q: How do you recruit volunteers?
A: “When I talk with people who say, ‘I want to volunteer,’ I ask them to think about what’s your passion. ..Do you want to work with the homeless?... Do you want to work with animals? ‘… Do you want to work with the environment? ..We want people not just to give their time but to invest in a cause, make it a meaningful experience. The Savannah website is our biggest vehicle for recruitment.
Q: Favorite quote?
A: “I may not have gone where I intended to go but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” By D. Adams.
Q: Professional achievement?
A:“It sounds so corny, but throughout my career I’ve been fortunate enough to surround myself with positive people. I’ve had the ability to mentor young people, especially young women, helping them realize their self-worth … Whether you want to be a teacher, go into the business world or want to be a stay-at-home mom, try to excel.
“To me, success is not about money. It’s finding something you can believe in and do it.”
Q: Personal achievement?
A:“Working with animal welfare. I’ve been president of the Humane Society board for two years. We do fundraisers to help homeless animals or animals in shelters. … Also, “I’ve been part of a group that is starting a low-cost spay/neuter clinic with prices of $35 to $75. We expect to open it at the end of the year at the Humane Society.”
Q:Future plans?
A: “To go into real estate with my sister. I’ve always had an interest in real estate, in making people’s dreams come true...I hope to give back monetarily to the charities I’ve worked for.
Q: Tips for nonprofits?
A: “Network and partner with other non-profits … Connect with HandsOn Savannah to get volunteers and also volunteer management training.
“Stay true to your mission but be aware of the changing nature (of nonprofits.) It’s very competitive. Everybody is asking for money. Hire the best people and utilize volunteers and make sure people understand the outcomes.”
Q: Things to avoid?
A: “Duplication of services. If someone is trying to start a nonprofit and two are already doing the same thing, see if you can partner with them.”
Q: Why does the Savannah area work for you?
A: “Savannah is a very giving community. You don’t have to be in a certain economic bracket to help. All you have to do is want to get involved. ..A lot of people don’t realize the high level of poverty in our community, but a lot of people are willing to give back time and money to help.”
Q: Mission statement?
A: “Mobilizing the caring power of people through volunteering, giving and advocating.”
HandsOn Savannah:
428 Bull St., Savannah, GA 31401.
Call (912) 695-7725
e-mail: ssessions@uwce.org
website: www.handsonsavannah.org
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