Volunteerism

Prince William County

Mason ROTC

Community Service

Off the Clock: Volunteering at a community farm, Carissa O’Neill is a good seed

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 16:11:10 +0000

Off the Clock: Volunteering at a community farm, Carissa O’Neill is a good seed Lauren Reuscher Wed, 07/17/2024 - 12:11

Carissa O’Neill started her job at ��AV as an office assistant in University Life one year ago. In this role, she manages schedules, plans events, and more. Outside the office, O’Neill volunteers to do a different variety of tasks: planting seedlings, sinking stakes, laying out irrigation hose, harvesting crops, and weeding greenhouses.

O’Neill volunteers at The JK Community Farm in Purcellville, Virginia—a 150-acre working farm that donates 100% of its produce to local food pantries. The farm is managed by three staff members, and most of the farm work is done by volunteers. Produce is donated for distribution to community members facing food insecurity.

Carissa O'Neill (with husband Justin O'Neill) volunteers at JK Community Farm in Purcellville, Virginia. Photo provided

How did you first get started with this volunteer activity? How long have you been doing it?

I had never worked on a farm before! But I like to work with my hands, have a great desire to learn about growing and harvesting food, and there are a good number of small farms around this part of Virginia. I found JK Community Farm when I was looking for farming jobs one day. I didn’t find a job that made sense for me, but volunteering has been a great alternative. I’ve been doing it since 2021. It's a great way to get outside, and what a boost to know that you're helping someone get access to fresh fruit and vegetables.

What's a typical day look like when you volunteer at the farm? How many different crops have you harvested?

I spend a few hours a month there, usually on a Saturday or Sunday. When you get there, you gather with the other volunteers and wait for one of the staff members to assign you a task. They take time to show you how to do it, and off you go! I've helped harvest produce like potatoes, asparagus, and sunflowers, and I've planted crops like onion and bell peppers.

O'Neill did not have any prior experience working on a farm, but she wanted to learn about growing and harvesting food. Photo provided

What has been the most memorable experience you’ve had in this volunteer work?

Harvesting asparagus for the food banks—I never knew how it grew, or that it can regrow itself from the stalk you cut.

What lessons have you learned?

I’ve learned the importance of addressing the lack of fresh produce available for those who need food assistance. Of course, food banks have shelf-stable items, but what a blessing to also have fresh fruit and veggies to offer.

What else do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I also love to sew, cross stitch, watch television, and do escape rooms.

Did you know? George Mason’s Greenhouse and Gardens Program offers volunteer opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. The program partners with the Patriot Pantry to help address food insecurity within the George Mason student population. Volunteers grow food sustainably, harvest and distribute produce, and more. Visit the University Sustainability website for more information.

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Topics

University Life

food insecurity

Off the Clock: Kim Paul makes a doggone difference at the animal shelter

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:35:51 +0000

Off the Clock: Kim Paul makes a doggone difference at the animal shelter Lauren Reuscher Thu, 06/27/2024 - 10:35

As an Institutional Review Board (IRB) compliance manager in ��AV’s Office of Research Integrity and Assurance, Kim Paul ensures that research projects involving human subjects comply with all regulations. Outside of work, one of her hobbies revolves around nonhuman subjects: dogs eligible for adoption.

Kim Paul volunteers at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, where she helps train both dogs and the volunteers who take care of them. Photo provided

As a volunteer with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Paul, who has a graduate certificate in forensic science from George Mason, spends time taking care of the dogs—taking them for walks, offering socialization, and training them. After volunteering at the organization for more than four years, she also mentors new volunteers and has started spending time with adoptable cats, too.

How did you first get started with this volunteer activity? How long have you been doing it?

I have always loved animals and previously worked at a doggy daycare in New Orleans. When I moved to Alexandria in 2016 for graduate school, I wanted to get back into hanging out with dogs in some capacity. I am waiting to adopt a dog until I have a fenced yard of my own, but in the meantime, I wanted the opportunity to play and cuddle with some dogs.

What is the time commitment?

At the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, volunteers must commit to at least four hours of service each month. I average 8–10 hours a month. Outside of the standard dog walking and cat cuddles, volunteers also complete the never-ending laundry and dish washing. We also work at the front desk, do field trips, assist with adoptions, etc. There are a lot of things to do, depending on what interests you! Each opportunity is preceded by training.

It's not all playtime and dog cuddles—there is lots of laundry to do at an animal shelter. Photo provided

What has been the most meaningful or memorable experience you’ve had in this volunteer work?

Being asked by staff to become a dog volunteer mentor was incredibly meaningful to me. I love to teach and mentor people, so I am grateful that I can elevate my time at the shelter in an even more meaningful way.

I also love when I come to the shelter and see all the “I’ve been adopted” signs, meaning that these precious fur babies are finding their forever homes.

What lessons have you learned through this experience?

I have learned not to personalize interactions with shelter animals too much and not to take any sad emotions home. People often ask me if it is hard to not adopt every animal I work with, and to be honest, that was one of my biggest hesitancies before signing up to become a volunteer. Fortunately, I can separate shelter and personal time and not become emotionally attached to the animals—that is the biggest hurdle to overcome. Otherwise, I would have a house full of fur, and the shelter would be empty!

What else do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love acting and have been soaking in the spotlight with community theatre. I have been doing theatre since I was a kid, all through college, and even did professional theatre when I lived in New Orleans.

I love going for long walks and listening to thrillers, suspense, and mystery audiobooks. I also enjoy spending time with friends and their pets, going on adventures to places I have never been, and new dining or social experiences. I recently went to Busch Gardens for the first time and went on many roller coasters that scared me, but what a thrill it was! I am trying to push myself further and take in new experiences while I have the energy.

Topics

Around Mason (E-Files)

Off the Clock: Liza Wilson Durant serves her community as an emergency medical technician

Shayla Brown — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:14:43 +0000

Off the Clock: Liza Wilson Durant serves her community as an emergency medical technician Shayla Brown Wed, 09/06/2023 - 13:14

Life is much more than time spent on the clock. In this series, we highlight the unique hobbies and volunteer activities of Mason's talented faculty and staff.

Liza Wilson Durant, associate provost for Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement and a professor and associate dean in the College of Engineering and Computing. Photo provided.

Liza Wilson Durant wears many hats at ��AV.

Wilson Durant, who joined the Mason Nation in 2010, is an associate provost for Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement and a professor and associate dean in the College of Engineering and Computing. Her particular focus is on Mason’s engineering and computing initiatives.

She is also the director of the Northern Virginia Node of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, a role that helps Mason forge broad partnerships with other universities, colleges, industry and government partners.

Outside her work at Mason, Wilson Durant makes a different impact on her community—since 2021 she has volunteered as an emergency medical technician (EMT), licensed in the State of Maryland and with the National Registry of EMTs.

Wilson Durant's commitment to service began 45 years ago when she was a middle schooler, volunteering as an aid and companion at a transition house for those with mental health challenges. Those hours of service had a profound impact on her mindset, and she committed to community service as an integral part of her daily life.

In addition to providing emergency medical aid to those who call 911, she also drives the ambulance and supports other emergency operations with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad in Maryland, and occasionally provides mutual aid to Virginia when needed.

What is the time commitment like for this community service? How do you balance it with your work and home life?

As an EMT and private with the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, I am required to volunteer one, 12-hour overnight shift each week, and 20 additional weekend hours every two months. So, I contribute more than 750 duty hours a year. It is a privilege to do this work and rewarding to have immediate impact; this makes it easy to show up, even when I am tired or have other competing demands on my time.

What has been the most meaningful or memorable experience you’ve had as an EMT?

Each week there are memorable moments. We are often with people at the lowest point in their lives, and if we can successfully improve their physical and mental health outcomes or support their families who are experiencing the emergency alongside their loved ones, the immediate impact is very rewarding.

How do you prepare for the intense and fast-paced environment, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional preparation?

We undergo a significant amount of training, testing and certification. When we are not running calls, we are running drills, reviewing protocols, discussing our approach to various calls and supporting each other on our crews. Preparation, and constant study and drills, help ensure confidence at a difficult moment.

What lessons have you learned through this experience?

Although my tasks as associate provost and dean are very different than as an EMT charge officer, the roles are similar in terms of working in an ensemble of expert, dedicated individuals who are driven by the mission of incredible impact on the well-being and success of our community members. I've learned in both roles to trust in the power of a team and the power of the diversity of our approaches to a challenge.

I have had a lifelong commitment to community service activities that get me out from behind a desk and part of a team with "hands-on" impact in my community. I learn something new every day I show up for duty, from my crew and from the incredible health care providers in our hospitals and health care system in the region.

Apart from this volunteer work, what else keeps you busy outside Mason? What do you do to relax?

I love spending time with my beautiful family and especially running, playing golf and enjoying the land around the Potomac River where we live.

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In This Story

Liza Wilson Durant

Topics

College of Engineering and Computing

Community Engagement

Off the Clock: Caroline Masakayan makes a difference as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for children

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 13:15:12 +0000

Off the Clock: Caroline Masakayan makes a difference as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for children Lauren Reuscher Thu, 04/13/2023 - 09:15

Life is much more than time spent on the clock. In this series, we highlight the unique hobbies and volunteer activities of Mason's talented faculty and staff.

Caroline Masakayan, student enrichment coordinator in the College of Education and Human Development and court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for children. Photo provided

As the student enrichment coordinator in ��AV’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), Caroline Masakayan helps organize a variety of student activities, including writers’ retreats, destress events, the CEHD Student Research Symposium, and the college’s Degree Celebration. She also supports student organizations and the college’s two learning communities. Before arriving at Mason in June 2022, Masakayan worked as a third-grade teacher.

Outside of work, Masakayan volunteers as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA), helping children experiencing tough living situations, abuse, and neglect. She has been volunteering since February 2022, helping kids in need and building strong relationships with them.

How did you first get started with this volunteer work? How long have you been doing it?

I learned about the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program years ago when I was in college. A mentor mentioned that she was a CASA and explained that CASAs work to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. I remember thinking how difficult the work sounded, and honestly didn’t think about it again for years.

Then, in my first year as a third-grade teacher, I had a student who was living in a foster care placement. I was contacted by the student’s CASA to provide information about how the student was doing in school—socially, academically, and behaviorally. The CASA was able to add that information to her report and use it to shape her recommendation of next steps for the child and family. Again, I thought how hard that work must be, but something stuck with me this time.

When I started thinking about leaving the classroom in the early months of 2022, I knew I still wanted to be able to work with kids somehow, and being a CASA seemed like a perfect fit.

What is the time commitment? Does it vary at different times of year?

The time commitment varies depending on what is happening in the case. The work consists of home visits, writing up notes and reports, and continuing education. Generally, it only takes a few hours a month. That being said, report writing is a lengthy process, so the commitment is a bit more in months when your case goes to court.

What has been the most meaningful or memorable experience you’ve had in this role?

The most meaningful part of this work is the relationships with the kids. Once the relationships are established, it’s fun to see the kids light up when you walk in the door. Stability is often a challenge for these kids, as they can sometimes be moved multiple times throughout the duration of their case. Being a steady, friendly, familiar face can be a real source of comfort for the kids, and it’s special to be able to play that role.

What lessons have you learned through this experience?

This experience has given me a lot of perspective. People experience very real, very difficult things all the time. You truly never know what someone is going through and a smile or a little kindness can go a long way.

What else do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Exercise is my favorite way to clear my mind and relieve stress, so I’ve been really enjoying my time at the gym. Lately I’ve also been reading a lot and watching lots of good documentaries.

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Topics

College of Education and Human Development

Children and Youth

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

Women's History Month

Off the Clock: Amanda Snellings is the artistic director of City of Fairfax Theatre Company, a community theatre group

Shayla Brown — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 20:55:53 +0000

Off the Clock: Amanda Snellings is the artistic director of City of Fairfax Theatre Company, a community theatre group Shayla Brown Wed, 01/11/2023 - 15:55

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Life is much more than time spent on the clock. In this series, we highlight the unique hobbies and volunteer activities of Mason's talented faculty and staff.

Amanda Snellings, assistant director of development at the College of Visual and Performing Arts, has been at ��AV for just over a year.

Outside of work, Snellings volunteers with the City of Fairfax Theatre Company (CFTC) as the artistic director. Many of her Mason peers have also participated in productions by CFTC. “We had a professor direct our show a couple of years ago, and it was really great. Students and alumni have performed, and we’ve even had some Mason theater students teach at our camp,” Snellings said.

Amanda Snellings performing on stage. Photo provided.

How did you first get involved with local theater?

I’ve been doing community theatre since I was 11. My first show was Oliver, playing one of the orphans. I’ve had the theater bug ever since. I studied theatre in college and pursued freelance directing while working in arts management at professional theatre companies to stay connected to my passion, most recently at Shakespeare Theatre Company in D.C.

I returned to community theatre to get involved in productions creatively while advancing my development career. My passion and experience in performing arts made my role at Mason working with donors to the Schools of Theater, Music, and Dance a perfect fit.

What is the time commitment?

By far the busiest time of year is the summer. I direct the big summer musical with 50 people of all ages in the cast and another 50 involved between all the technical elements and live orchestra. It’s our biggest as far as set design, costumes, and lighting. We plan the production elements in January, hold auditions in May, and perform in July. The rehearsals span 10 weeks for about 12 hours per week. During the two weeks leading up to the show, I am at the theater every evening right after work until 10 p.m. and all day/evening on the weekends. It’s a lot of work but everyone is excited to be there together.

A performance of Beauty and the Beast by the City of Fairfax Theatre Company. Photo provided.

What has been the most meaningful or memorable experience you’ve had in this volunteer work?

The first musical I directed with CFTC was Beauty and the Beast. It was a huge technical challenge to figure out special effects like the enchanted rose petals falling at specific moments and the Beast’s magical transformation within 30 seconds without the audience seeing it. We also built a rotating cube set with four different scenes painted on the outside walls that then opened up into a huge castle interior. We were nominated for nine awards and won Outstanding Cast and Outstanding Set Design from the Washington Area Theatre Community Honors (WATCH) organization.

How has COVID impacted CFTC?

We were in the middle of rehearsals for a production of True West meant to open in April 2020 with the Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts Festival when COVID hit. We were finally able to do the show in April 2022. In late March 2020, we started using Zoom and Facebook to keep our volunteers and audience engaged, doing online play readings and classes. We started an outdoor Shakespeare program to replace our summer musical when we couldn’t be indoors. The first was A Midsummer Night’s Dream staged with the actors always staying six feet apart as part of the storytelling. We spray-painted the lawn, creating household seating boxes 10 feet apart.

A performance of Shrek the Musical by the City of Fairfax Theatre Company. Photo provided

What has been one of your favorite productions from your time with CFTC?

This summer we put on Shrek the Musical. I always say the songs from that show are so much better than you’d think they would be for a musical based on Shrek! There were a lot of challenging technical demands that the script set out for that show, but all the technical elements like costumes, hair, makeup, sets and lights really brought the story to life. It was such a beautiful final product and we were really proud of it.

What do you tend to enjoy most of the production process?

I love directing because I am deeply involved in all aspects of the entire production; I get to be the guardian of the vision for the show everyone is working hard to achieve. I really enjoy working with the multigenerational casts and seeing everyone learning from one another, especially the younger kids. We always have a few families that participate together, sometimes even three generations in one show. My role doesn’t usually involve performing, but each fall we do a cabaret of musical theater songs, and that's the one night a year that I always get to perform—which I love, too.

Topics

Off the Clock: Micah Hodges, success coach and local cleanup volunteer

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 17:34:26 +0000

Off the Clock: Micah Hodges, success coach and local cleanup volunteer Lauren Reuscher Thu, 10/27/2022 - 13:34

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Life is much more than time spent on the clock. In this series, we highlight the unique hobbies and volunteer activities of Mason's talented faculty and staff.

Micah Hodges (left) volunteers at a NOVA Cleanups event with a fellow participant. Photo provided.

Micah Hodges works as a success coach in University Life at ��AV. In this role, Hodges works one-on-one with students to help them discover what success looks like to them. He connects them with resources to help them on their Mason journey and helps them envision their personal, professional, or academic goals. Overall, coaching helps students write their own Mason stories.

Outside of work, Hodges helps sustain and develop something else: our local environment and community spaces. As a volunteer with NOVA and District Cleanups, Hodges works alongside cadres of volunteers who remove trash from public spaces.

How did you first get started with this hobby?

I first got started with trash cleanups in July 2022. I was scrolling through Reddit one day and saw that District Cleanups had been going on for a while. They were planning to expand by making a NOVA Cleanups group (which now has their own subreddit).

What is the time commitment?

NOVA Cleanups meets the first Sunday of every month. By signing up for their email list, you can get information about the next cleanup. From my experience, cleanups usually take place in the morning and last until about noon. After the cleanup, there is usually some kind of informal social, which is optional.

How does the group identify specific locations to clean up?

When I did my first cleanup in Clarendon, the organizers shared that a number of events took place the night before in that area, which is why they chose to clean that area. To be honest, I like the mystery in where each organization chooses. It gets me out of my comfort zone and allows me to see places I have never seen before.

How can others get involved?

People can get involved with the NOVA Cleanups or District Cleanups by visiting their respective websites. You can sign up for their email lists, view upcoming cleanups, and fill out the volunteer waiver. It's very easy to get involved and takes less than five minutes to do so.

What lessons have you learned through this volunteer experience?

Three things come to mind: First, it doesn't take much to make a difference. Your commitment, your attitude, and passion are the three characteristics you need to show up.

Next, step out of your comfort zone. While socialization can be challenging, I find that doing activities like this helps because we are working toward a common goal and doing so for a purpose.

Finally, do something that matches your values and beliefs. I pick up trash because it aligns with my core values. Actively working to make spaces better and cleaner resonates with me. If we can take trash where it needs to go, it makes our world a better place.

What else do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I like to go cycling. I loved riding my bike as a kid, so I wanted to get back to doing something that made me feel like a child again. I also play a musical instrument, the euphonium. I try to get in some practice whenever I can. I also practice yoga and meditation, which have been very grounding for me and give my life a sense of discipline when life gets chaotic.

Topics

Off the Clock: Pam Promisel, Mounted Patrol volunteer with the National Park Service

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 19:26:25 +0000

Off the Clock: Pam Promisel, Mounted Patrol volunteer with the National Park Service Lauren Reuscher Wed, 10/05/2022 - 15:26

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Life is much more than time spent on the clock. In this series, we highlight the unique hobbies and volunteer activities of Mason's talented faculty and staff.

Pam Promisel works in the University Business Consulting office at ��AV. Outside of work, she views the world from a different vantage point: horseback. As a Mounted Patrol volunteer with the National Park Service, Promisel serves in a unique role at Manassas National Battlefield Park.

Promisel started riding horses when she was eight years old, and she continued riding as an adult with additional lessons and training. One of her fellow riders told her about the small and exclusive group of National Park Service Mounted Patrol volunteers at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Promisel has been honored to serve with this group since 2010.

Pam Promisel atop Ginny at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Photo courtesy of National Park Service

What are your responsibilities as a Mounted Patrol volunteer?

We patrol over 40 miles of trails at the park, engaging with visitors and enforcing park rules. The mounted patrols and horses are ambassadors for the park. People love to interact with the horses. We’ve been told many times that we made someone’s day.

We also train, exercise, and care for the horses. The Mounted Patrol program is part of the park’s law enforcement unit. Horses are flight animals and tend to flee when they see or hear something new. Police horses need to be trained to trust their rider in these situations.

What was the selection process to serve as Mounted Patrol volunteer?

Mounted Patrol volunteers must be proficient in riding a variety of horses and riding on trails in varied conditions. Potential volunteers are evaluated in a riding test and through initial trail rides. The program typically has more interested participants than available spots.

How do you help care for the horses at the park?

The National Park Service rangers typically do the daily feeding, but we also feed the horses, and clean the water troughs and fields, clean the equipment after every ride, and sometimes help during visits from the vet or farrier (horseshoer).

Pam Promisel with Bogey, a horse who has since retired from the program. Photo provided

How often do you serve on patrol?

One day a week—typically Saturday, but sometimes Sunday. We ride year-round in all types of weather. I actually love riding in the snow. If I can get there, I’ll ride!

What have been your most memorable experiences in this volunteer role?

A real bucket list memory has been riding in the Mounted Police Week ride through Washington, D.C. It is amazing to ride one of dozens of horses parading down the streets of our nation’s capital. We go by the monuments and the White House; I have pictures of myself on horseback with these icons in the background.

Participating in the North American Police Equestrian Council training and competition in Ohio this September was also an amazing experience. The horse I rode, Mississippi Mist (Misty), had never traveled to an event like that before, and she was incredible, bringing home lots of ribbons and trophies. I will always remember that experience.

Topics

University Business Consulting