The challenge today is to tell you all about our newest Shining Star, while keeping the suspense alive. We don’t want you or her to know right away who I’m talking about. She has a distinct set of skills and personal history that will give the game away right away. So I’m going to start by being quite vague.
Our Shining Star joined Assistance League about a decade ago. She has volunteered in numerous and various ways–Clothes for Kids, Food for Kids, Literacy Plus, Nominating, Operation Graduation, Gifting, and Board Secretary
And that’s not the complete list – more to come.
Our Shining Star works quietly and efficiently, always available to help. She responds to requests for help promptly while being thoughtful and thorough in explanations. Her attention to detail is invaluable. She’s taken on multiple leadership roles, and will continue to do so in the coming year.
More than one committee chair has commented on her willing assistance: She’s a tremendous advocate, supporting members through daunting tasks. She asks intelligent questions and never makes you feel like you’re clueless, even when you are. (I’m speaking from personal experience here.)
And now some personal tidbits. These will alert our Shining Star and some of her close friends to her identity. But keep calm and keep quiet, more clues are coming for everyone else.
After almost 20 years as a stay-at-home mom, our Shining Star went back to school at the U of M, recertified as a Med Tech and returned to work at the VA. Friends have told us that – though she may appear quiet and reserved at times – she is always up to try new things, such as restaurants, concerts and other activities – and traveling to exotic parts of the world.
She has an eye for detail and numbers, but has an artistic side as well. She is a skilled weaver. Her loom is a beautiful piece of furniture on which she designs and creates fabrics. One of her greatest joys has been making special garments worn by her grandchildren at their bar and bat mitzvahs.
The Thrift Shop has benefited greatly from her contributions. She works regularly at the Shop, has been on the Thrift Shop Counting Committee and handled Thrift Shop finances as an Assistant Treasurer. She’s a Day Manager and was a key member of the team responsible for implementing the new cash register five years ago.
Our Shining Star has chaired the Finance Committee for the past three years – and will do so again next year. She is a steady leader, and her knowledge and skills have been especially valuable during this uncertain year. Though it sometimes felt like the sky was falling, she remained calm and let the numbers do the talking.
She is a wonderful, witty, warm and caring person. Most of all she is enthusiastic about Assistance League, its mission and core values and is willing to share her time and talents wherever she is asked to serve. Our Shining Star is: Carolyn Azine!