Key Points:
- Donning red aprons, United Methodists answer questions, direct traffic and keep things running like a well-oiled machine.
- More than 1,000 volunteers hail from many annual conferences.
- Organizers created an online “Volunteer Hub,” where those interested in volunteering could create a profile and select the specific days and times they wanted to work.
Answer all the questions you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
ln all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
For all the people you can
As long as ever you can (or until May 3).
— Paraphrase of quote often attributed to Methodism founder John Wesley by Amy DeVore.
If you happened to walk through the Charlotte Convention Center wearing a red apron you brought from home, you’d quickly be put to work.
More than 1,000 volunteers have donned the distinctive apron during the two weeks of the United Methodist General Conference, which continues through May 3. It’s safe to say they’ve kept the event running like a well-oiled machine by answering questions and directing traffic.
“My husband says ‘volunteer’ is my middle name,” said Sylvia Riley, a member at nearby Huntersville United Methodist Church, while directing delegates to their legislative committee rooms. “It’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve worked at the airport, the hotels and now at the convention center. The leadership really plotted out what was going to be needed.”
The Western North Carolina and North Carolina conferences share hospitality duties.
“We were asked by our bishops to chair hospitality,” said Wanda Musgrove, a lay member of Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte and co-chair of volunteers. She is by trade an event planner and a native Charlottean. Musgrove said the team began meeting with the General Conference staff early last year. “So, we didn’t have four years; we had 17 months.”
Her counterpart from the North Carolina Conference is Trish Archer, a clergywoman in extension ministry who lives in Wilmington. She had been a delegate since 2008, but not this year.
“We were able to get a lot of laity involved,” Archer said. “They’re top-notch people — all very capable.”
General Conference photos
Organizers created an online “Volunteer Hub,” where those interested in volunteering could create a profile and select the specific days and times they wanted to work.
“Those who helped with registration had to be tech-savvy,” Archer added. “The hotel (leadership) team has walked to the 10 hotels every four hours to greet their volunteers. We have two people at each hotel working four-hour shifts.”
Assisting Archer and Musgrove are Nicole Jones, Western North Carolina Conference, and Emily Innes, North Carolina Conference.
The site of General Conference is chosen without input from the local conference.
“We met with the General Conference Commission,” said Musgrove, “and they gave us an outline of what areas would be needed to be staffed by volunteers. The main four are airport, hotels, registration desk and convention center. Our first step was to find coordinators for those areas. We recruited someone from each conference to head those areas, and they took it and ran with it.”
But who thought of the red aprons?
“We knew we would have to have some way to identify the volunteers,” Musgrove said. “Some years, they’ve had T-shirts or vests, but those are not so easily exchanged (at the end of a shift). Plus, we needed pockets. The ‘#BeUMC’ buttons (worn on the apron) have the cross and flame symbol, so that those who cannot speak English can recognize those. And the red stands out.
“Our goal was that you couldn’t walk very far without seeing a red apron and knowing that person was here to help,” she said.
And Archer added that “aprons really signify serving.”
Musgrove agreed. “Our goal is to be hospitable. Everyone speaks the language of smiles. And that works.”
Landa Wallace, administrator for the Northern Piedmont District, Western North Carolina Conference, is one of three co-coordinators for the registration volunteers. “I’m just thankful for the connection that has allowed me to be a part of this,” she said.
DeVore, local host coordinator for hospitality, said organizing volunteers has been “like a big puzzle.” She is on staff at nearby Matthews United Methodist Church as director of Mission and Justice Ministries and is a reserve delegate.
“Volunteers are from Western North Carolina and North Carolina conferences and all other conferences,” she noted. “We have people who have taken their vacation time to be here.”
This is DeVore’s first General Conference.
“It’s great to see how General Conference works,” she said. “It’s very organized, and there are a lot of rules. It’s exciting to see the business of the church get done, and that has been interesting. I’ve learned a lot.”
Subscribe to our
e-newsletter
DeVore commented that she is feeling a strong “spirit and dedication.”
“I love meeting people, especially those who have come and are willing to serve,” she said. “And to see the people who love this church from all over the world. Some have come a long way.”
Volunteer Jimmy Dancy has been mayor of Rutherfordton, a town about 70 miles west of Charlotte, for 14 years. He also has been the lay leader of his congregation for more than 40 years. His pastor, the Rev. In-Yong Lee, is a delegate.
“I’ve never done this before,” Dancy said. “This is a great opportunity to do things that you can never do again.
“This is my whole life,” he said when asked what motivated him to participate. “I’ve always been very active volunteering with different groups. I’ve been with Jimmy Carter twice on builds for Habitat for Humanity. The mark of a successful life is giving back what I have received. Even as mayor, I’ve been about service. My actions prove what my heart says.”
Musgrove said volunteers have “soared beyond anything we imagined.”
“It’s gone really well. I’m thrilled to see so many red aprons — they’re everywhere! And we took a page from Publix and have our volunteers take people where they need to be, not just tell them,” she said referring to the supermarket, which is known for its customer service.
“It’s an honor, and it’s been fun,” Musgrove added. “I think it’s helped bring our two conferences closer. And the folks from just over the line in South Carolina have also been very helpful.”
Archer said delegates have commented on how well things have gone. “We’ve had very few complaints,” she said. “Volunteers from all over the connection have made it happen.”
Caldwell is freelance journalist in the Western North Carolina Conference.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free daily or weekly Digests.
