MIM Volunteer Program

Volunteering for Memphis in May is an exciting way to see our events from a different point of view. Our volunteer committees support all aspects of our festival and provide the opportunity for anyone to find a volunteer responsibility that they will enjoy.

With flexibility in volunteer scheduling, uniqueness of events, and variety of volunteer options available, new volunteers to the Memphis in May Volunteer Program will find the experience to be both exciting and rewarding.  Because Memphis in May volunteers help produce the majority of the festival, they find involvement in the volunteer program to be a way to have an ‘insider’s view’ of the event’s production. Along with the rewards of volunteer service, the volunteer program plugs an individual into a broad social network of fun and interesting people. Newcomers to the Memphis area will find the welcoming attitude of the volunteers along with the diversity of people and service options to be a good way to meet new Memphians.

Memphis in May utilizes volunteer assistance throughout the year, however the majority of volunteer hours are logged between mid-April and the end of May. Volunteers attend their committee’s meetings and new volunteers are required to attend one of the volunteer orientation sessions.

If you have any questions, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at Memphis in May
(901) 525-4611, ext. 125
volunteer@memphisinmay.org

Volunteer Profiles

Each month, the Memphis in May Volunteer Program will highlight some of our key veteran volunteers

February

The 2010 event season will be Shannon’s fourth year as a volunteer.  Over her past three years of working with Memphis in May, she has gone from a new volunteer learning the ropes to a seasoned veteran and leader of Memphis in May’s Tom Lee Park events.  When she is not volunteering, Shannon manages the bookstore at Crichton College.  

As a Memphis in May volunteer, Shannon can be found driving shuttles and checking-in volunteers during the Beale Street Music Festival as a member of the Volunteer Services Committee.  When the World Championship Barbeque begins, Shannon switched gears and serves with the Contestants Committee leadership as the Captain of the Whole Hog division.     

Shannon joined MIM because, “I was looking forward to meeting new people while donating my time to a worthwhile cause. With MIM, I knew I could volunteer for a great cause and still have fun.  From the first time I stepped on the park as a volunteer, I fell in love with the experience that is Memphis in May.”  

Shannon will admit that “BBQ truly has my heart. Helping the teams and making their days more enjoyable give me great pleasure. When you see that relieved grin on a cook's face, it makes the heat and long days worth it.”  

As far as advice for new volunteers, Shannon is sure to mention, you get back what you put in.  “If you bring you’re ‘A’ game and a positive attitude, your experience will be rewarding and enjoyable.”  She is also quick to add: “BRING SUNBLOCK!”  

Overall, Shannon sees the various MIM events as a great opportunity to extend both one’s personal and professional network. All the while, you are helping Memphis in May’s mission and events.  Shannon's volunteerism with Memphis in May highlights how a little hard work and dedication allows a volunteer the opportunity to participate with different committees and become involved in committee leadership.  She is a great example for new volunteer and current volunteers.

January

Dwight Haley

 “Volunteering opens up a new world of possibilities and it is further enhanced by the awesome selfless people you encounter as you take part.”

Dwight will be volunteering with the P.A.T.H. Committee for the third year in this coming season.  Dwight is a Service Coordinator at a retirement community for senior citizens and those living with permanent mobility impairment. Dwight came to Memphis in May though his desire to see, “all of the exciting things going on with MIM and the opportunities that existed.”

He was hooked by opportunity to help Memphis in May, “present Memphis to the world. I'm a proud Memphian, I love my city, the people here and the rich culture. To have an opportunity to share that culture and at the same time learn first-hand about other countries, cultures and people was something that really appealed to me.”

 Dwight is the type of guy who volunteers to give back, “we have been blessed with so much.  I volunteer because I love the interaction, meeting people and making new friends.”

Dwight comes back to the Volunteer Program each year, “because I've had nothing but positive experiences from the first day until now. I've been made to feel like I am a part of a huge family.  The chairs of the committees that I have served with have done a wonderful job of working with the various groups. It is not why I do it, but it also feels good to be appreciated as a volunteer. MIM does a great job of showing volunteers that they are appreciated. Your opinion and ideas really matter with MIM.”

The Memphis in May looks to newer volunteers like Dwight to continually bring new energy to the program and eventually assume the leadership of his committee.

December

Demetra Lawrence

Demetra Lawrence is the owner of the Memphis-based real estate management firm Lawrence Management Inc.  Over her past 8 years of volunteering with Memphis in May, she helped to support international programming and served as the Chair of the P.A.T.H. committee.

Demetra, along with the other members of P.A.T.H., help transport, entertain, and generally assist the performers brought in from the honored country. 

Demetra is also the Secretary for Memphis in May Board of Directors and the Volunteer Representative to the board.  As the Volunteer Representative, she is an advocate for all volunteers within the Volunteer Program