Elaine Elias

Was on hall patrol and chatting with the patrons and I really like how everyone had a smile on their faces when they came in. I love Gpac!

During my time volunteering at the GPAC for this event, I served as an usher for the night. In my role as an usher, I was charged with helping attendees to their seats, as shown on their respective tickets. I was also charged with making sure to hand out programs to the attendees, as well. After the show ended, I also had the responsibility of going down the rows of seats to collect any programs or belongings that were left behind.

1. Skills and Personal Development
Question: What skills did you develop or improve through this service experience?
Answer: Through volunteering as an usher, I developed my communication and interpersonal skills. Greeting attendees, answering questions, and helping people find their seats alllowed me to interact professionally and politely with a variety of people. I also strengthened my organizational skills by ensuring programs were distributed and seating ran smoothly, which are skills that will be valuable in any future career.

2. Understanding and Awareness
Question: What did you learn about the community or environment you served?
Answer: I learned that my community values the arts and enjoys coming together to share cultural experiences. The live jazz event brought together people of different ages and backgrounds, which showed me how important community events are for connecting people and fostering a sense of belonging. It made me appreciate the role of local arts organizations in building a strong, connected community.

3. Relationships and Teamwork
Question: What new connections or relationships did you form during your service?
Answer: I met lots of great people during the event, including other volunteers, staff, and attendees. Interacting with them was enjoyable and allowed me to build new connections while practicing my social and teamwork skills. These relationships highlighted how working together can create a welcoming and positive environment for everyone involved.

4. Organizational Impact and Alignment
Question: How did your service contribute to the mission or goals of the organization?
Answer: My service supported the performing arts center’s mission to provide enjoyable and accessible cultural experiences for the community. By assisting attendees, distributing programs, and helping the event run smoothly, I contributed to a positive experience for everyone, helping the organization fulfill its goal of fostering appreciation for the arts.

5. Reflection and Improvement
Question: Did your service align with your personal values and beliefs? If not, how did you handle any conflicts?
Answer: This experience aligned perfectly with my personal values. I value community involvement and the arts, and volunteering as an usher allowed me to support both. Meeting new people, assisting attendees, and contributing to a live event reinforced my belief in the importance of giving back and being an active member of my community.