volunteer

Volunteer Interview with Christi Idavoy

Christi Idavoy is the Fitness and Wellness Manager at the Polestar Physical Therapy and Pilates Center in Coral Cables, Florida. Polestar teaches rehabilitation-based Pilates in over 50 countries worldwide. Christi learned about American Bone Health from Sherri Betz, who is encouraging Pilates studios across the country to help promote the mission of American Bone Health by teaching bone safe Pilates exercises.
Even though Christi is based in Florida and American Bone Health is headquartered in California, she finds that working with us is easy! “I’m able to get the support I need from across the country,” Christi explained. This is one of her favorite things about American Bone Health. She says that the support the organization gives individuals is amazing. She said that she gets a lot of marketing support to help spread the word about her American Bone Health events.
Christi and Polestar Pilates have several events coming up. Her studio is having two guest speakers: one is an acupuncturist presenting some research from China, and the other is going to speak on energy medicine and bone health.
Christi is one of our many volunteers across the country helping to fulfill the mission of American Bone Health one community at a time. Think about joining us!

An Interview with Sherri Betz: spreading the word of bone safe exercises

Another one of our amazing American Bone Health representatives is Sherri Betz, owner of TheraPilates in Santa Cruz.  Sherri is a physical therapist who started
working with American Bone Health five years ago, because she was interested in promoting safe bone health exercises for people with osteoporosis. Sherri loves her affiliation “American Bone Health’s message is unbiased and evidence-based.  They have an incredible Medical and Scientific Advisory Board that sorts through the research and claims in bone health, so their information is always accurate, timely and helpful for patients

In addition to providing education programs in her community, Sherri serves on the Professional Education Committee and the Board of Directors. She advocated for
using technology for reaching more people and helped launch a podcast series for doctors. She also reviews applications from exercise professionals who wish to be listed as bone-safe practitioners on the website.

Sherri is passionate about helping people who have osteoporosis and low bone mass create a safe exercise programs to build and maintain bone strength.  Sherri explained, “In general, people who exercise are less likely to fall and less likely to have fractures, even if they have low bone density. People who maintain their leg strength through safe exercise can stay out of nursing homes! If we can keep people mobile and active, we can improve someone’s quality of life!”

Sherri is convinced that American Bone Health representatives can impact many people in their communities.  “The organization provides training and support so that volunteers will have the proper knowledge to go out and educate.  One hour a week teaching a seminar about osteoporosis prevention and bone health can have a huge impact.  If everyone could spare an hour to educate their communities we could reach the whole country in no time.”

Join the team!

Interview with a volunteer

Recently I talked to one of our most dedicated volunteers to understand why American
Bone Health is important to communities and how our volunteers help us fulfill
our mission.   Here’s what I learned.

Shelley was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2005, and was first introduced to American
Bone Health when she consulted a physical therapist about safe exercise.
Shelley continues to work with us because she realized that not many people
know about osteoporosis and she wanted to educate others about prevention so
that they would not have to go through what she did.  There are many
organizations that advocate for disease prevention, but American Bone Health is
unique because not many people know of the seriousness of osteoporosis and how
common it is.

American Bone Health would not be able to fulfill our mission without
volunteers. When I asked why, Shelley said, “Our representatives are the
backbone of our education efforts since they are the ones who carry the message
about osteoporosis prevention and bone health to people of all ages in their
communities.”

In my opinion, Shelley could not be more right about our volunteers.  They are
the ones who advocate osteoporosis prevention at health fairs, in hospital
affiliated programs, community talks, and in programs for children, teens, and
young adults as well.  There are many others like Shelley who are the
lifeblood of this organization, and without her and so many others, we would
not be able to reach the millions of Americans with osteoporosis.

The need to volunteer

Currently, there are 60 million people in the U.S. who volunteer
in their free time.  So if people are not getting paid, why do they do it?
Is it because they need it for a resume, they’re bored, or to meet new
people?  Maybe for some, but do you know what the #1 reason is why people
volunteer?  TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

 

This is the reason why I volunteer.  I have volunteered for
several NGOs now and I can’t stop.  It is so rewarding for me to know that
what I do makes an impact.  My fundraiser money, my time, and my efforts
are going towards a mission I truly believe in, and that is the most worthwhile
thing I think a person can do.

 

Now that I’m working for American Bone Health, I am on the other
side of the mirror.  Instead of being the volunteer, I get to see what our
volunteers are doing for us and how they are impacting the communities around
them.  I have so much respect for the volunteers who go out and do community
talks and fracture risk consultations because without them, we would never be
able to help spread awareness of osteoporosis and provide support to the older
people in our communities.  So now I encourage you to help us fulfill our
mission and prevent osteoporosis.  Volunteer once, and you will never give
it up.

The need to volunteer

I have asked myself what motivates or inspires people to dedicate their time to sharing knowledge and awareness about osteoporosis and bone health.
I am 21 years old and, to be honest, while I love to volunteer, help others, and especially explore, I have not spent one moment of my life worrying about osteoporosis. So I am curious. What is it that leads people to not only take the time to educate themselves, but take the initiative to educate others?
When I think of this for myself my answers are 1) a deep understanding of the necessity of supporting the cause and a logical connection to the good of my community, 2) a sense of appreciation from those that I am helping, 3) the connections I build with the people I work with (i.e. how welcome I feel, how engaged I feel, how much I feel that I am a necessary part of the group), and/or 4) the satisfaction of helping someone with a problem to which I feel personally connected.
Osteoporosis is a disease that affects millions of Americans, and there are so many who are passionate about helping fight it. Understanding what motivates people to take on a cause like bone health and what makes an effective volunteer program will enable them to do so. I will be thinking about volunteerism and welcome your thoughts, philosophy, and practical advice.

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