Volunteer Profiles

In early March 2008 John Hogg received a CSSC Certificate of Recognition for his invaluable contribution to the local membership in Merseyside.

Hedley Featherstone, CSSC Volunteer Development Manager gets to know John (pictured below on the right, receiving  his certificate from North West Chairman Mike Wilson (left)) and finds out how he got involved and why he continues to enjoy volunteering. John has recently joined CSSC on secondment.

What is your proudest moment/memory of being a CSSC Volunteer?

I suppose my proudest moments are when you get positive feedback from an event you've organised, in a way it's letting you know you doing a good job.

How did you get involved in volunteering for CSSC?

I got involved with the local sports and social committee when I first started in the civil service, because my line manager encouraged it and it was a way of getting to know people, so I started helping out wherever possible, when the Merseyside Area Associations' club house closed, I went along to a meeting organised by the Area Committee looking at the way ahead for Merseyside CSSC, and I suppose I've never looked back, and have been involved on this committee ever since.

What do you do as a CSSC Volunteer?

Mainly involved in organising trips etc, also helping new departments within the area with trips that they are interested in organising, advertising of events, co-ordinating organisers,

What are the best bits about volunteering for CSSC (and the worst bits)?

The best bits are definitely when trips go well and you know people have enjoyed themselves, the worst is when things don't quite go to plan, glad to say that in 24 years of doing events there have been very few of these.

What has kept you involved as a volunteer with CSSC?

Being involved in a very active Area Association and also the people you meet., I've been very fortunate to work on a committee that as well as working very hard for it's members has a great sense of humour.

What does it mean to be given a CSSC Certificate of Recognition?

As a volunteer you don't do the job for reward, you do it because you enjoy it, however every now and then it's nice to get a bit of recognition, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pleased to receive this Certificate.

What would you say to other people who might want to volunteer with CSSC?

Give it a go, there's plenty of people out there to help you along the way