1. Augusta volunteer chapter uses
Team Moments and “volunteer
champions” to increase
engagement
Volunteer chapter is growing strong but there’s always room for more members
2/17/2015
By Jamie Dexter, Southeast communications
When the Augusta volunteer chapter officially launched a year ago in February, it quickly became one of the
fastest growing volunteer chapters. At the time, it was one of the top five fastest growing chapters in the
country.
One thing that has led to the chapter’s success is the steering committee’s creative approach to
communication – two tactics in particular.
For one, the volunteer chapter leadership asks managers to select “volunteer champions,” team members in
various positions who have strong leadership skills and are involved in the community.
These volunteer champions are considered the “voice” of the chapter. They spread the word about volunteer
events and help the chapter to grow in participation and membership.
One volunteer champion is Heather Banner, personal banker at Wells Fargo’s Evans Crossing
store. Heather joined Wells Fargo in October of 2014 and throughout college was extremely active in her
community.
“When I graduated from college, I sought out an employer who shared my same values for the community –
Wells Fargo is a perfect fit,” she said. “Being a volunteer champion allows me to be an advocate for the
community among my co-workers. I love how my passion for volunteering ties into my job at Wells Fargo.”
“We truly want our chapter to be team-member charged and volunteer champions help bridge the gap
between the chapter leaders and our team members in Augusta,” said Keldrin Stovall, business banking
associate and chapter president. “Heather’s heart for the community makes her a perfect fit for the role.”
Another tactic was started by Lynne Harris, administrative assistant and steering committee member.
She connects with chapter members using Team Moments (search for Augusta) and uses the tool to spread
the word about upcoming events and post pictures from past volunteer activities. Team members often
comment on how much fun they had serving the community together.
This practice has been adopted by the Atlanta volunteer chapter and it has helped them increase
engagement and membership.
Highlights from 2014
Augusta volunteers did some very meaningful work in 2014. Here are some highlights from last year.
Volunteers “thanked the helpers” by dropping off gift baskets and foundation contributions to the Red Cross,
the Salvation Army and the Golden Harvest Food Bank – three non-profits who helped the community get
through the February ice storm that stranded some and left many without power.
Another highlight was Community Service Super Saturday, where Augusta volunteers served the local
community at five separate activities. Volunteers painted and replaced windows and siding on a home for a
local single mom and her children. They planted flowers and cleaned the Ronald McDo nald House. They
2. served meals at the Golden Harvest Food Bank’s soup kitchen and sorted food at the food bank. And last
but not least, they cleaned out animal pens at the Columbia County Humane Society.
And to finish the year, accompanying a $125,000 Priority Market grant, volunteers helped out with a
“neighborhood day” in the historical Laney Walker neighborhood. Walton Way store team members helped
set up and operate games for the children in the community.
Paul Menk, Southeast business banking division manager, served as executive sponsor when the chapter
launched last year. “When you put all of these activities together, it’s obvious that together we are making
a huge impact in Augusta. I’m very proud of our volunteers,” he said.
Join a volunteer chapter near you today!
The Augusta volunteer chapter currently has 75 members.
“We are really happy with how our chapter’s first year turned out, but for 2015, I want to see us step it up
to the next level,” said Kel. “We have more than 200 team members in the Augusta market, so we have an
opportunity to dramatically increase our membership. With every person we add, the more we can do for
this community.”
If you are a team member in the Augusta area, and you haven’t already done so, go to My Volunteer Time
today to join the chapter. If you live anywhere else, you can search for the volunteer chapter closest to you.
Rebena Tucker, teller at Wells Fargo's Walton Way
store, volunteered at the Laney Walker Fall Festival.
Wells Fargo volunteers sorted food at Golden Harvest Food
Bank to thank them for how they helped the community
during the ice storm of 2014.
Volunteer Chapter President Kel Stovall paints a door
frame during Community Service Super Saturday in
Wells Fargo volunteers showed up in great numbers to
support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at the Light
