Exceptional Staff Recognized and Thanked

Today's all staff meeting -- within our two-week training sessions in St. Paul, Minnesota -- was highlighted by naming three outstanding staff members for special recognition.

Regional Manager Dorota Wierzbicka(right in photo) was presented with Global Volunteers' first Staff Person of the Decade Award in appreciation for her long-term, consistent leadership in Global Volunteers' field operations. Volunteering on our Poland program when it first started in 1990, Dorota initially served as our team interpreter in Siedlce and was promoted to Poland Country Manager within two years. She was named Global Volunteers Staff Person of the Year in 2001 and 2004, and consistently receives the highest possible ratings on volunteer evaluations. In 2008, she became Regional Manager for European, South American and South Pacific programs, and has led teams in South Africa, Hungary and Tanzania in addition to Poland. In noting Dorota's contribution to our staff team, Global Volunteers Vice President for Operations Michelle Heerey said: "Dorota reminds me of that steady, quiet presence that you can always rely on, and makes certain all the bases are covered behind the scenes. At the same time, however, she can be a strong taskmaster and inspire people to do what they need to do!" We're grateful to Dorota for her two decades of loyal service to Global Volunteers worldwide!

Volunteer Manager Julie Costa (on right) received Global Volunteers' 2010 Staff Person of the Year Award for leadership in preparing new volunteer coordinators, support to the marketing and volunteer coordination team, consistently superior service to prospective and Encore volunteers, and loyalty to our mission of excellence in service. Julie joined the staff in 1994, and has twice received Staff Person of the Month awards. She's served on 18 Global Volunteers service programs!Global Volunteers' Vice President for Volunteer Coordination and Marketing Pat Forciea said: "Julie has been a great support to me and an inspiration to my staff. I always look to her for quality advice." Kudos, Julie, for 16 years of immeasurable contributions to Global Volunteers' staff.

November's Staff Person of the Month is Jake Philbrook, Global Volunteers' Technology Manager. In presenting this award to Jake, Global Volunteers' Vice President for Finance and Administration Bonnie Christensen said: "In the years I've worked with Jake, I've appreciated his work, but it was only when he began working directly for me that I came to understand what a true professional he is in his field." Jake was specifically noted for his diligence in the recent upgrade in our database. He previously was named Staff Person of the Month in April, 2006.

Thanks for your cool head, Jake!

We're very proud of our bright and dedicated staff, and recognize that as our volunteers are Global Volunteers' "heart and hands," our staff are the feet that keep us firmly planted in possibilities.