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Neil Joyce
June 13, 2019
DOS 792 Fieldwork II
Employer Service Project

For the summer semester service project, I chose to volunteer for the University of
Rochester for the first annual UR Fitness Center’s Department Dash. The Department Dash is a
5 kilometer or 1.5 mile walk to promote team building within departments and the University of
Rochester as a whole. The event was open to University employees and students. Teams of 8 or
more people were able to select a shirt color for the group to wear for the event.

A meeting was held by the organizers a few days prior to the event to gather volunteers
and discuss what duties each would be assigned. Assigned tasks included working at the
registration desk, handing out water cups to the participants, and directing runners and walkers
along the designated routes. I, along with three other volunteers, were tasked with setting up a
hydration station to supply participants with water during the race.

When setting up for the race, the weather was beautiful. Unfortunately, the weather
conditions declined, as severe thunderstorms rolled through the area just in time for the race start
time of 6:15 p.m. The start time was delayed nearly 30 minutes due to the torrential downpours
and multiple lightning strikes. During the race (and thunderstorms), I had the pleasure of getting
to know the other volunteers I worked with handing out water to the participants. Two of the
volunteers, Sue Ellen and Mary Jane, work in the purchasing department and the third volunteer
I worked with has Bruce. Bruce was neither a U of R employee nor student, but rather a close
friend of the event organizer and who offered to help.

After the race completed, Sue Ellen, Mary Jane, Bruce and I packed up all the supplies
and cleaned up the trash in our area. All participants and volunteers were invited to a post-race
picnic which included dinner, music, and prize drawings. By then, the thunderstorms had
cleared and it turned out to be a great evening.

I think the UR Fitness Center’s Department Dash was a success in that it brought
University of Rochester employees from all departments together to interact and have a fun time.
It was apparent that people enjoyed themselves during the event, and was a wonderful team-
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Neil Joyce
June 13, 2019
DOS 792 Fieldwork II
Employer Service Project

building experience. I look forward to next year’s Department Dash to join a team from the
radiation oncology department and participate.

University of Rochester Department Dash

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Neil Joyce
June 13, 2019
DOS 792 Fieldwork II
Employer Service Project

Amy, Nathan and I checking in at

the volunteer desk the day of race

Taking shelter from the torrential

downpours and lightning