NMHS Press Release: May 2012

Fifty-nine volunteers to the North Manchester Historical Society and North
Manchester Center for History were honored with a reception at the Center
for History on April 24.  These volunteers have served as docents,
researchers, program committee members, board members, and in many other
capacities.  Those present were honored for their work in 2010 and 2011.

Volunteers who have accumulated 100 hours of service to the NMHS or the NMCH
receive a polo shirt with the North Manchester Center for History logo.
Those achieving this milestone this year were:  Darlene Bucher, John Knarr,
Mary Reahard and Jo Ann Schall.

Historical Society President Mary Chrastil noted that people volunteer for
many reasons, but all have a commitment to helping others.  Most know that
they may volunteer now, but in the past or in the future they will have been
helped by another volunteer or volunteer organization.  She went on to say
that the NMHS and NMCH are not-for-profits who depend entirely on volunteer
support, and which could simply not function without volunteers.  She noted
that the top volunteer every year is Joyce Joy, who contributed 2,827 hours
of service to the Center for History in 2010 and 2011, followed by Nancy
Reed, Center for History Director with 1,279 hours.

Chrastil quoted figures from The Independent Sector, an organization that
tracks the value of volunteers throughout the nation.  In 2010, the average
value of volunteer time as calculated by Independent Sector for Indiana was
$18.04.  In that year, volunteers gave 3,596 hours to the NMHS and NMCH,
valued at an astounding $64,873.  Even more remarkable was the 4,041 hours
of volunteer time contributed in 2011.  At the rate calculated by
Independent Sector of 2011, this amounts to $88,048. 

The final part of the program honored the volunteer of the year.  Past
honorees include Joyce Joy, Allan White, Eunice Butterbaugh and Parks Adams.
For 2010, Volunteers of the Year are Jo Ann Schall and Bea and John Knarr.
Jo Ann and Bea work in the NMCH office weekly maintaining records on
artifact and financial donations, membership and correspondence, and helping
with collections management.  Bea also assists John in publishing the
society's quarterly newsletter, and John designed and maintains the NMHS
website.  Cumulative, the three have contributed 620 hours in the past two
years. 

Volunteer of the year for 2011 is Ralph Naragon.  Ralph serves on the board,
and is treasurer for the historical society.  He contributed 195 hours in
2011.  Ralph has been very active in improving the Center for History
building and systems such as plumbing, heating, electrical and internet.    

Chrastil ended the evening thanking the committee who arranged the
reception:  Darlene Bucher, Eloise Eberly, Jeanette Lahman and Dorothy
Weldy.