WGI Celebrates Our Volunteers

Each day during National Volunteer Week (April 19-25, 2020), we shared some of our WGI volunteers' experiences and stories (below)! Get inspired by people just like you who have found ways to give back and feed their passion for WGI through volunteering.

Get more information about volunteering with WGI and sign up to join our 2021 volunteer team: HERE

Why did you start volunteering with WGI?
I started volunteering with WGI because I couldn't find a group to march locally, but I still wanted to be involved. I stumbled upon the volunteer sign-up and submitted! I was excited to be able to give back to an organization that has given so many people the chance to live their dreams.

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you volunteering during a WGI event?
I volunteer every year in Dayton, and my favorite place to be is in equipment warm up or the transition from equipment to staging before going onto the performance floor!

Is there a meaningful memory that you have of volunteering with WGI?
My first year, I was given a nickname on day one, in hour one. There were three Nicks in total that year, and I was the newbie. According to all of the people around me, when I told them I was from Chicago I said it with a Chicago accent, so they all started calling me Chicago. It has stuck around every year, since!

What would you say to encourage others to volunteer with WGI?
Honestly, WGI takes SUCH good care of the volunteers, and everyone in the volunteer group is so welcoming and ready to welcome you into the family. Also, the days are long, but watching all of the performers pass through and seeing them enjoying themselves is SO worth it. Also, you're surrounded by Color Guard or Percussion/Winds for so many days! Who wouldn't love that little escape from the world?!

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you volunteering during a WGI event?
Being a volunteer is a newer experience for me. I have been attending regionals for several years as a spectator, but 2019 was my 1st volunteer year for World Championships. I hope to get more involved in 2021 and continue to add more shows to my volunteer resume, just have to wait and see.

Is there a meaningful memory that you have of volunteering with WGI?
My meaningful memory is each and every minute. From the nerves and anticipation with filling out the initial questionnaire, to the 4 hour drive to Dayton, and finally being a part of class finals. How do you choose just one? My first year volunteering with WGI was one of the best times of my life.

What makes volunteering for WGI fun and rewarding for you?
This is a one word answer--EVERYTHING. The people, the performers, the volunteers, the friends, and family made.... just EVERYTHING.

What would you say to encourage others to volunteer with WGI?
If you enjoy/love the sport and you like to meet people from all over the country and the world--this is the most wonderful time of the year. There is NEVER a dull moment, there are friends and family to meet and so much life to be lived as a WGI volunteer. Bring a good pair of shoes, or two or three, and have the time of your life. Come make the memories, not just for yourself but for the others that are there performing. You will never look back.

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you volunteering during a WGI event?
I try to volunteer at one regional and at World Championships every year. I fill whatever void exists, so my jobs have varied from judge tape runner, lot parking, equipment loading/unloading, warm up time keeper, traffic and flow, and performance entrance/exit. The most important job is being a friendly face for the competitors to rely on if they need anything.

Is there a meaningful memory that you have of volunteering with WGI?
Ensembles come from all over, traveling great distances, sometimes crossing state lines for the first time. I’ve received several hugs from fellow Texans happy to see another Texas native in Ohio.

What makes volunteering for WGI fun and rewarding for you?
This performance activity community is a small one. We all have ties to drum corps, marching bands, and indoor ensembles. It could be years since we’ve last seen each other, but when paths cross again, we pick up right where we left off. There’s a sense of relief when the director of a competing unit sees a friend behind the curtain.

What would you say to encourage others to volunteer with WGI?
Oh my goodness, why haven’t you volunteered yet?! It’s so great to see the activity behind the curtain. So many bright faces excited to perform at WGI, seeing those kids achieve dreams at the top of their game is amazing.

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you during a WGI event?
I've volunteered every other year since I started at color guard week. My absolute favorite place to be while volunteering is in the tunnel at UD. I love encouraging performers (and their supporters) as they get ready to go on, and helping people get back up the tunnel is always an adventure.

What makes volunteering for WGI fun and rewarding for you?
Being in the tunnel can be a challenge--the whole WGI team coordinates to make sure that everyone and their props make it through safely and on time. Laughing with the parent volunteers brings me back to my performer days when my parents were the ones running up and down the tunnel, and it is so wonderful to see how dedicated everyone is to their programs.

What would you say to encourage others to volunteer with WGI?
If you are curious about volunteering, my best advice is to go for it. The team at WGI takes such good care of its volunteers and makes everyone feel at home instantly. I was nervous at first, but now I can't imagine what my life would look like without these memories. From early morning trips to the sites to late nights hanging out in the volunteer hospitality suite, I can honestly say every day is filled with laughter, excitement, and an energy you can't describe. Volunteering for WGI is one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Why did you start volunteering with WGI?
I was no longer directing a team that participated in WGI and was attending every year as a spectator. I thought to myself. “This would be the BEST way to be involved with WGI and give back to an activity that I love.” I have been volunteering every year since!

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you volunteering during a WGI event?
I volunteer at Color Guard World Championships every year, and this year I volunteered at the Phoenix Regional. You can always find me at Nutter Center, backstage behind the curtain making sure teams are flowing through the warm ups and on and off the floor flawlessly!

Is there a meaningful memory that you have of volunteering with WGI?
My picture is with one of my best friends in the entire world, Sara Field (picture on the right). We met during my first year of volunteering and her second. The funniest thing happened our first day together. We were moving a huge jug of water behind the scenes at the Nutter Center, and the wheel got caught in the track where the ice rink would have been. The entire thing spilled EVERYWHERE! I thought we were going to get fired for sure! We still talk about it. Since that weekend we have been inseparable even though we live across the country from each other. We have become family with each other, and our families vacation with each other every summer. I can’t imagine my life without her! You never know where you are going to find your kindred spirit and I, of course, found mine at WGI!!

Why/When/Where did you start volunteering with WGI?
My daughter was involved in a World Guard, and when I started looking up more information about WGI, I found out about their volunteer program. I wanted to be part of an activity that my daughter was so much involved in. Ever since the first year, I have been volunteering for both weeks of World Championships and my wife (pictured on the left) always joins me for at least one of those weeks.

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you volunteering during a WGI event?
I do a couple of regionals and both weeks of World Championships. You can find me pretty much anywhere. I do whatever is needed: sell programs, sell tickets, judge security, body or equipment warm-ups, performance check-in, unit progress, starter, parking lot, and I have even been a driver. Early on I decided that I would do whatever was needed, and because of that I have been able to work at UD, Nutter Center, Cintas Center, BB&T Arena in KY, Miami University, and Hobart Arena.

What would you say to encourage others to volunteer with WGI?
Just try it, If you can’t come to World Championships, sign up for a regional. Once you do, you will understand better than I could ever put into words what a wonderful experience it is.

Why did you start volunteering with WGI?
I started after my friend volunteered in 2008. I had been a spectator for a number of years and thought this was a great way to become more involved. I was right.

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you during a WGI event?
I volunteer at regionals doing whatever role I’ll be most helpful in. At World Championships, I assist with hospitality and make sure that WGI staff, volunteers, and judges are all fed well both at the arenas during the workday and after hours in the hospitality suite at the hotel.

Is there a meaningful memory that you have of volunteering with WGI?
As an educator by trade, the main thing that has always drawn me to WGI is its focus on the performers, regardless of where they come from or their different abilities. My first year in Dayton, one of the site managers asked me to help accompany the special needs color guard down the tunnel. The crowd reaction to those performers, as the entire arena cheered for them and embraced them, was overwhelming. The crowd was deafening and seeing the smiles on those kids faces as a finalist crowd cheered them on is a memory I won't soon forget.

What would you say to encourage others to volunteer with WGI?
If you're like me and thought after your performing days were over your chances of being involved with WGI were done, think again. Come volunteer and see how the behind the scenes side of things can be a whole different type of magic. You'll meet some of the best people you could ever know.

Is there a meaningful memory that you have of volunteering with WGI?
There are all sorts of micro connection opportunities, but one vivid memory happened last year. I met a mother who was heartbroken that she would be missing her daughter's first WGI World Championships. When I say “met” her, I mean that she made a comment on Facebook asking what people were doing for performers who they couldn't see in person. I sent her a message asking what group, then told her that I was slated to volunteer at that venue and asked if she'd like to send me a card I could give her daughter once she was done performing. We got to exchange photos in real time as her daughter went through her performance and, after it was done, I remember being at the loading dock asking if this young lady was there. Her teammates got me pointed in the right direction, and I told her that her mom wanted to make sure she had this note after she was done. I didn't say anything further, merely stepped back and took one last photo for her mom as she wiped away tears reading the letter.

What would you say to encourage others to volunteer with WGI?
If you love this performing art and had a great WGI experience, a great director, a great guard parent, or a great staff member--consider giving back to help someone else have an incredible performance experience. It's so very cool to get to help so many groups each day and know that you are making a difference with every encounter. All the feel goods.

When did you start volunteering with WGI?
I started volunteering at Percussion and Winds World Championships with another color guard friend. I found it meaningful to give back to the organization that did so much for me as a performer. I come back every year because of all the new volunteer friends we’ve made over the years.

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you during a WGI event?
I volunteer every year at Indianapolis Percussion Regional and the Percussion and Winds World Championships. During World Championships, I am ALWAYS on the floor during World Finals!

Is there a funny story that you remember related to volunteering with WGI?
Every year has its own funny story. One that sticks out would be lip syncing during World Class finals to the music they played in-between performances. The more tired I was, the more theatrical they became. I'm sure there is a video somewhere.

What makes volunteering for WGI fun and rewarding for you?
World Championships is a stressful weekend for everyone. The performers, staff, and fans all have different expectations and navigating the logistical part can sometimes add to their worries. Helping them through the process by providing them with a sense of comfort, no matter how small, can turn a stressful weekend into a happy memory. I LOVE being part of that process.

Why did you start volunteering with WGI?
I was already volunteering with a drum corp because my son was marching there, and when people there heard I lived in Dayton, I was strongly encouraged to volunteer with WGI. I have been hooked ever since. My son had marched indoor percussion during his high school years, so I was familiar with WGI and all of the wonderful things the organization did for the kids and the Dayton community.

Is there a meaningful memory that you have of volunteering with WGI?
In 2013, my son was marching with a percussion group and before the awards ceremony, the volunteers all come down to the floor to get the award tables and red carpets out quickly. After everything was set up, I stayed on the floor to watch and had a front row seat to see my son in the finale. His group ended up medaling that year, and I was able to present the medals to his directors to pass them out to the performers. That experience was awesome for both me and my son.

What would you say to encourage others to volunteer with WGI?
DO IT! The people you will meet will become lifelong friends. You will laugh more than you have ever laughed, and you will impact the lives of everyone you meet.

When did you start volunteering with WGI?
I have been volunteering since I was 11 years old. I got "volun-told" to help out at World Championships in middle school when I didn't want to stay home with my brother (both of my parents volunteer). Best thing my parents ever made me do!

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you volunteering during a WGI event?
A: In the last few years, I've been able to volunteer for Color Guard, Percussion, and Winds, as well as work some regionals. I can be anywhere during Guard week, but you'll find me around the lot during Drums and Winds.

Is there a funny story that you remember related to volunteering with WGI?
The funniest thing that's happened to me as a volunteer was working in the Warm Up area for color guard week. There was a group that would ask me to put a Swedish Fish candy in my bra for good luck! I was happy to oblige. I love being a part of performers’ traditions.

What makes volunteering for WGI fun and rewarding for you?
What makes volunteering with WGI fun for me is everyone who is involved. The fellow volunteers, the performers, and the staff are all so different in our day-to-day lives, yet we all come together for this fantastic week of competition. 

Why did you start volunteering with WGI?
I saw a call for volunteers on the WGI website. I was living in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the time and thought I would give it a shot. After volunteering for Color Guard World Championships, I knew I had found my "family" and came back for both Color Guard and Percussion World Championships the following year, along with volunteering at several local regional events.

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you during a WGI event?
I typically volunteer at local percussion and winds regional events, as well as Percussion World Championships. I have done every position from cutting oranges to warm-up monitor to starter. My favorite places to be are in the tunnel helping move units in and out of the staging areas, in the lot parking buses and trailers, and distributing medals during finales!

Is there a meaningful memory that you have of volunteering with WGI?
One of my favorite memories is from my first year volunteering for WGI. One of the site managers told me that if I could pick up the Independent World Class trophy with one hand, that I could have any job I wanted for the following year's championships. (Fun Fact: Those trophies are HEAVY. I think the bases are filled with concrete.) I tried my hardest, failed, and everyone in the trophy room got a good laugh at my efforts. Every year I take a picture with the Independent World Class trophy before I carry it out to the floor--not for the trophy, but for the memory that it holds in my heart.

How long have you been volunteering with WGI?
At regionals since 1998 and at World Championships since 2013.

When did you start volunteering with WGI?
I announced at regionals for many years, but I was still working with guards until I retired in 2012. I thought volunteering at World Championships was the next step.

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you volunteering during a WGI event?
I announce and do sound for the Tampa and Orlando Regionals. I’ve also been a Site Manager and Announcer at Color Guard World Championships.

Is there a funny story that you remember related to volunteering with WGI?
Richard (pictured on the right) and I were announcing semis at Nutter Center. I had to announce a color guard from Thailand that had 26 letters in their name. 3 times!!! Richard gave me an extra round off so I could go practice in a corner. As he was announcing, he forgot what the state was for the abbreviation NE. He paused for just a second, but it felt like 5 minutes, and the audience yelled “Nebraska!” From then on he referred to me as the Ambassador from Thailand and I referred to him as the Governor of Nebraska.

Why did you start volunteering with WGI?
I started volunteering because although I love the activity, I couldn't perform anymore and couldn’t commit the time needed to be a staff member for a group.

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you during a WGI event?
I've volunteered at championships six years in a row (would have been 7 this year), and I did my first regional this year! I can be found all over the place--I spent my first 2 years in the warm up area, I've done plenty of crowd control, and I spent most of last year doing Judge Security. My favorite spot is probably at the exit curtain, but I'm not too particular about where I'm assigned.

What makes volunteering for WGI fun and rewarding for you?
Volunteering for WGI is incredibly rewarding because we're helping hundreds of performers have the best week of their lives. I love seeing the joy on their faces after they finish a great run or watching the fun rituals they have throughout the process. It all brings back so many great memories of my own time performing.

What would you say to encourage others to volunteer with WGI?
Why volunteer for WGI? The real question is “Why not?” We're a big family that gets to have our annual reunion at the greatest event of the year! It's so rewarding knowing that we're making a positive impact on the lives of the performers, and you might just get to watch some really great performances along the way!

Is there a meaningful memory that you have of volunteering with WGI?
Meeting my best friend Tina (pictured on the left)! We're the same brand of crazy, and she's basically my sister from another mister at this point. We may or may not be plotting for our children to get married one day so we'll be in laws.

Why did you start volunteering with WGI?
I started volunteering in 2014 at Color Guard World Championships as a way to have a meaningful activity to share with my then boyfriend, now fiancé. I never marched, so when I started volunteering I had no concept of what I was getting into. I always say I married into it, but this activity has changed my life so much--even though I haven’t ever spun a single piece of equipment.

How often do you volunteer, and where are we likely to find you during a WGI event?
I am only able to volunteer for World Championships because of work obligations, but you will usually find me at the exit curtain or floating through a rotation of all the other jobs to give people breaks. I love being part of the “Nut House Bunch” at Nutter Center.

Is there a meaningful memory that you have of volunteering with WGI?
I think the most meaningful memory I have was when my fiancé surprised me by proposing in the volunteer hospitality suite after World Class finals in 2017. We got to share that special moment with our volunteer family who I have come to love so dearly.

What would you say to encourage others to volunteer with WGI?
If you ever need a place to feel appreciated for being nothing more than who you are and are willing to work hard to give performers some of the best memories they will have in their lives--then this is the place for you.

Why did you start volunteering with WGI?
My first experience was in 1999, prior to taking my group to World Championships. I wanted to get a backstage view of how the event was run and the mechanics of it all. Since then I have volunteered whenever I can.