By Caitlin McDiarmid

I had a great time at this year’s Conference. It was my tenth conference, and for the very first time I went fully looking forward to the adventure of it all–with no fear, little anxiety, and great confidence. For me, the biggest difference is the team that the APP has on the ground during the event. The volunteer squad that exceeds my expectations every year, improves upon the previous year, grows, and flourishes–and truly makes the conference hum for all of us.

This year a number of the crew and I tackled the on-site registration component of Conference. Registration has had its ups and downs over the years, and by the end of Conference last year I was determined to give this area the attention it desperately needed and deserved.

All of the super (senior) volunteers went through extra training this year. As we moved our most seasoned and customer service oriented volunteers into registration, others needed to be trained well enough to supervise the newer team members and work independently, as my attentions and that of others would be dedicated to the registration desk.

All of the super volunteers devoted extra time well in advance of the event by participating in Skype meetings and email discussions, planning for mini-training sessions on-site at Conference, double checking conference materials, and reviewing policies and procedures.

I have never been more proud of a group of volunteers, and I have never been as excited to work with a team. I have never been able to walk away and feel so confident in the work performance of each one of them. I am forever grateful, ever amazed—and just so very happy to work with these folks and to call them family and friends. 

Super volunteers

Kendra Berndt
Gus Diamond
Madicken Engström
Aaron Foster
Mandolynne Hopkins
Casey Hosch
David Kelso
Alexander Kumaritakis
Tiana McGuire
Zane Nichols
Theo Sheffler
William Spencer
Marah Stein-Kelso
Jezebel Milla Voulé
Sarah Wooten
Anna York
Kristin Young
Tye

We had eight terrific Al D. Scholars this year. They were thrown into a new environment with a very heavy workload. The scholars always try to do their very best. We impress upon them how this experience can bring about great things for them in their careers, future conferences, and personal growth. You cannot be a scholar and not be changed by the experience, one way or another. One of my very favorite parts of my job is getting to know these piercers, doing my best to make this a positive experience for them, and watching them change from the gift that service can bring.

Breanne Grant
Edward (Ned) McCarthy
Nicole Page
Kaitlin Raison
Andrew Rogge
Monica Sabin
Ken Seyler
Dani Solary

We were so very lucky that the following people jumped in to help out with AV this year after we had an unexpected cancellation. Gus and I are excited about this new team and the development in this area.

Allen Falkner
Badur Ramji
Brian Moeller

We had new “love” volunteers—some in our industry, some on the fringe of it, and some knowing that if they were interested in joining the field, it was a perfect way to show they’re serious by giving back even before they start getting.

Marina Pecorina
Raquel Martin
Thomas Van Homan
Brianna Belladonna
Nolan Chinn
Zak Bullard (pulled from the crowd for that one task – but still appreciated)

Three of the Al D. Scholars from last year came back to help out as “love” volunteers. They proved that service work is its own reward, and they really got me and others to notice them.

Jovi Croes
Luna Duran
Charles Stiles

Some of our “love” volunteers just keep coming back, year after year. “Once a volunteer, always a volunteer,” is my motto, and theirs too.

Kenny Hughes
Chadwick Jackson
Mark Montgomery
Chrissy Shull
Jared Silverman
Autumn Spinks
Seven Wolfe
FaraTa’ Wild
Casey Kutilek

Our Mentors were once again a crucial component in the success of Conference and the welcoming of our new attendees – thanks to Ryan Ouellette, Courtney Maxwell, and all those who participated.

Some individuals need a special thanks:

• Theo and Brian for sticking to the challenge at hand and getting it done.
• Sarah for being a better me in a lot of situations.
• Marah and David for the gift of love and celebration.
• Ned for making me really think about unconditional love, parenting, and what it means to be a role model.
• Monica for making me realize I need to do things differently.
• Madicken for the Swedish dance.
• Zane for the inspiration.

And always to Paul and Thad, the team that lives in my head and in my heart, that gets me through every minute of every day; that reminds me of what is really important. “Everything must spring from a place of love.”

The APP is made up of volunteers, Board Members, Committee Members, and all the folks at Conference. Service work provides rewards that are hard to explain to those who have not volunteered. Working behind the scenes of conference one finds a new appreciation for the industry, your co-volunteers, the leaders of the conference and the Association. Service work provides the reward of a new appreciation for your own strengths and weaknesses. It gives you personal challenges to overcome, and celebrations when you do. For me—though I am an employee—being part of this service group has given me friends for a lifetime, and extended my family. They provide me support when it is desperately needed and every year they make Conference bigger, better, brighter—and maybe even a little “faster and sexier.”