In the March NATA News, we celebrated our hundreds of volunteers in honor of National Volunteer Month this April. Several NATA committee members shared why they decided to give back to the association, what they’ve gained from their experiences and why they think others should get involved as well. Learn more about NATA’s various volunteer opportunities and get involved. Here is a continuation of our volunteer Q&A:
Patricia Aronson, PhD, LAT, ATC
Committee: NATA Board of Directors, District Three
District: Three
Career Setting: Collegiate
Why did you want to volunteer with NATA?
I wanted to help. I am not really sure if a “servant’s heart” is inherent or if I had role models as an undergraduate student at Canisius College and graduate school at the University of Virginia who motivated me to volunteer.
What have you gained from your volunteering experience?
Many professional friends!
LaGwyn Durden, MS, ATC, LAT
Committee: College University Athletic Trainers' Committee
District: Six
Career Setting: Collegiate
Why did you want to volunteer with NATA?
Professionally I was transitioning into an administrative role, which allowed more time to devote to committee volunteer opportunities. My goal was to become more involved with developing initiatives, learning more about policy and being a voice for others in the athletic training profession.
What words of encouragement would you give to others who are interested in volunteering?
Go for it. Volunteering is such a wonderful way to learn, share, connect with others and make a difference. Find your passion and get involved.
Mark Gibson, MSED, MS, ATC
Committee: International Committee, Chair
District: Four
Career Setting: Collegiate
What was your first volunteer role, either with NATA or another organization?
My first volunteer position in athletic training was chair of the audiovisual committee for the 1989 Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association/District Four Meeting in Green Bay, Wisconsin. My primary credential was that I had access to students. We were responsible for all the slide trays for presenters and of course replacing bulbs in the projectors!
Why did you want to volunteer with NATA?
I had been involved in numerous activities in the Wisconsin Athletic Trainers’ Association over the years (annual meeting organizer, legislative visits, licensure work, etc.). My first elected position was as vice president of the WATA, which put me on the executive council of GLATA as a state representative. I really had my start at the state level, followed by GLATA. I first volunteered for NATA by being elected district director elect for District Four to the NATA Board of Directors. After five years of service on the board of directors, I took a year away, but really missed it terribly. President Jim Thornton appointed me chair of the International Committee.
Kerry Gordon, MS, ATC, CSCS
Committee: ATs CAre Committee
District: Eight
Career Setting: Performing Arts
What was your first volunteer role, either with NATA or another organization?
Although I have volunteered for multiple events providing athletic training services, this is the first committee I have participated as a volunteer. I’m looking forward to the experience and the interactions with colleagues to progress the profession!
Why did you want to volunteer with NATA?
I am inspired by the people who have been advocates of this profession and have helped to raise the standard to the level it is today. Not only Hall of Fame Members with prestigious backgrounds, but also the students who get involved to make a difference in this profession. I aspire to be more like these great colleagues and peers.
What have you gained from your volunteering experience?
An opportunity to work together with people who are equally passionate and committed to make this profession great!
What words of encouragement would you give to others who are interested in volunteering?
Just do it! The contribution to the profession and giving back is a tremendous reward in itself, and being part of something that is outside of your everyday routine helps keep your mind stimulated and challenged.
Megan Hammonds, ATC
Committee: Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee
District: Three
Career Setting: Collegiate
What was your first volunteer role, either with NATA or another organization?
Volunteering started at a young age for me. Growing up a military life and moving around, my parents started out early with me and my sister getting un involved and volunteering to give back to the community we lived in or the unit my dad was in at the time. My first role volunteering with the NATA was becoming the District Three representative for EDAC. Kevin King at the time was the outgoing rep and he was the one who got me interested in EDAC and ways I can give back to the profession and NATA. I went with him one summer to talk with a group high school panels at a summer program and from there he sparked my interest in EDAC and getting much more involved with the NATA.
What words of encouragement would you give to others who are interested in volunteering?
Volunteering with the NATA, or any organization, does not necessarily have to be done by being on a committee, giving a ton of your time or on a large scale. Going to the NATA convention in June and helping stuff registration packets, working the volunteer office or hang signs are simple ways to give back to the organization. However you decide to give back to the NATA or the profession we all love so much, do something fun. Some of my favorite volunteer memories come from hanging out with fellow athletic trainers and talking with kids and Boys & Girls Clubs about our profession and playing outdoor yard games with them.
Yuri Hosokawa, PhD, ATC, LAT
Committee: International Committee
District: One
Career Setting: Post doctoral fellow
Why did you want to volunteer with NATA?
I have been a member of the Japan Athletic Trainers’ Organization and have also worked closely with NATA professionally while working for the Korey Stringer Institute, which led me to seek out an opportunity to be involved with the international relations and promotion of the athletic training profession worldwide. I can relate myself with international students who are seeking opportunities in the U.S., and I also have a very strong passion in establishing our profession internationally.
What words of encouragement would you give to others who are interested in volunteering?
The experience you gain from volunteering is priceless. Whatever the cause may be, “the unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves,” Helen Keller said.
Steve McCauley, MHS, LAT, ATC
Committee: Committee on Practice Advancement
District: Eight
Career Setting: Performing Arts
What was your first volunteer role, either with NATA or another organization?
My first role was as the state of Nevada legislative representative working on our state licensure efforts. At that same time, I became the chairperson for District Eight Clinic Industrial Corporate Committee.
What have you gained from your volunteering experience?
The understanding that contributing to the NATA through volunteer allows one to develop a deeper understanding of how the organization works with respect to it moving in a positive or negative direction. This understanding gives one the ability to contribute effectively when seeking change. In addition, one can determine if the leadership has set the proper course for the change that one desires.
Dan Newman, MS, LAT, ATC
Committee: Secondary Schools Athletic Trainers' Committee, Vice-CHair
District: Five
Career Setting: Secondary school
What was your first volunteer role, either with NATA or another organization?
My first volunteer role was an auspicious one; I was the annual meeting committee chair.
What words of encouragement would you give to others who are interested in volunteering?
It’s like the old adage, “You get out what you put in.” I always encourage young ATs to be involved some way. It doesn’t have to be on the national level, but start at the state level, join a committee. You will get so much more out of this profession if you just volunteer.
Holly Nieman, EMT
Committee: Student Leadership Committee, Chair
District: Four
Career Setting: Student
Why did you want to volunteer with NATA?
After joining the Michigan Athletic Trainers’ Society Student Committee, I discovered how much I enjoyed being more involved in the athletic training community outside of the classroom. I also have a program director, Julie Rochester, who has been extremely involved during her career. She is always encouraging her students to seek opportunities outside of our clinical coursework to expand our education.
What have you gained from your volunteering experience?
I could probably go on and on about what I have gained from my volunteer experience. I have been able to have experiences that are unique for most athletic training students. I have participated in the behind the scenes action of both the GLATA and NATA annual conferences; I have had conversations and been mentored by many leaders who have paved the way for students like me; and I have had the honor of doing all of that as a representative of the entire student population. By being a part of the Student Leadership Committee, I have also learned communication, organization, planning and leadership skills. In addition, I have made some great friends from around the country I would not have met otherwise. I am sure someday when they are leaders within the athletic training community, I will be proud to say that “I knew them when.”
Charlie Thompson, MS, ATC
Committee: Honors and Awards Committee, Chair
District: Two
Career Setting: Collegiate
What was your first volunteer role, either with NATA or another organization?
My first role was as chair of the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association David G. Moyer Award Committee. Almost concurrently, I was named the NATA Liaison to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
What words of encouragement would you give to others who are interested in volunteering?
Start at the state and local level. Committee work is very satisfying. Find those areas that interest you the most. Over time, you will decide how much you want to be involved, what areas you want to be involved in and whether you want to try the district/regional and national volunteer opportunities.
