GSA Fall Recap

January 12, 2023January 12, 2023 Emily McMaster 910 Views

By: Emily McMaster, Operations and Communications Director

Granite State Ambassadors have had a busy 2022 all year long, with lots of events and educational opportunities. Learn more about where our Granite State Ambassadors (GSAs) are volunteering and what topics they are learning more about to better refer our guests around the state!

October 2022

Volunteer Hours Summary:

123 Volunteers served 1,476.5 hours at 12 welcome centers, 5 events, 2 meetings, and 1 tour, (assisting 6896 guests) for a total value of $38,034.64 *(*independent sector).

There were an additional 11 volunteers who helped out with the end of The Big E in West Springfield, MA, which ended on October 2nd. These volunteers assisted for a total of 82 hours.

8 volunteers participated in the Department of Travel and Tourism’s Leaf Peeper reports, for a total of 75 hours.

Educational:

The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth hosted 24 volunteers for a tour of the area, including the Seacoast Science Center, the Warner House, and Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues. GSAs enjoyed learning more about what Portsmouth has to offer, despite the liquid sunshine! Read more about the tour here.

Meetings and Centers:

The Aviation Museum joined the organization as a member in October, so GSAs are able to start volunteering there for credit. We are excited to formalize this partnership and provide another location for our GSAs to volunteer.

11 volunteers participated in the Airport Volunteer Roundtable on October 25th, and 23 volunteers participated in the Airport Quarterly Management Update.

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November 2022

Volunteer Hours Summary:

127 Volunteers served 1,180.25 hours at 11 welcome centers, and 3 events, (assisting 3261 guests) for a total value of $30,403.24 *(*independent sector).

16 volunteers assisted with the New England Apparel Club Show at the Doubletree Hotel in Manchester, for a total of 62 hours. The event took place from October 30th through November 1st.

Meetings/Events:

96 volunteers attended the AMBIEs Awards Luncheon on November 10th at Murphy’s Taproom in Bedford. GSAs were honored with top hour awards, peer awards, merit awards, and more. It was a wonderful experience to gather together, catch up with GSA friends, and celebrate GSA achievements in 2022.

Special Awards:

The organization had the special privilege of being honored for a Volunteer Champion award at the Spirit of NH Awards, hosted by Volunteer NH on November 16th. Gretchen Ziegler, Outgoing Board Chair, and Emily McMaster, Operations and Communications Director, received the award at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord. It was a heartwarming ceremony that honored a lot of the volunteer work done throughout the state.

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December 2022

Volunteer Hours Summary:

102 Volunteers served 1,076.25 hours at 11 welcome centers, and 3 events, (assisting 3888 guests) for a total value of $32,233.72 *(*independent sector).

35 volunteers assisted with the Made in New England Expo at the Doubletree Hotel in Manchester, for a total of 157 hours. The event took place on December 3rd and 4th. Volunteers also represented DTTD and GSA with a table at the expo.

5 volunteers participated in the Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke over the course of the month, for a total of 17 hours.

1 volunteer participated in the wreath laying at the NH Veterans Cemetery, for a total of 2 hours.

1 volunteer helped with the Manchester Holiday Parade for a total of 5 hours, through the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

Social Committee:

11 volunteers participated in the Journey to the North Pole event, a fundraiser for the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation. GSAs headed to Lincoln on December 9th, volunteering a total of 58 hours. Volunteers suited up in elf costumes and greeted families – read more about their fun experience here.