GIA's local volunteers selflessly serve to advance GIA's public mission

By Emily Stegman

Dr. Geoffrey Smith, a graduate of GIA's first volunteer training course, demonstrates how he teaches students in the Junior Gemologist Program to identify inclusions. An avid collector of antiquities, Smith donated a collection of pre-Columbian art and jewelry to GIA in 2004 and is known to bring a slew of his own pieces to liven-up his presentation for the kids. Photo by Emily Stegman

Rhonda Hanson lives just miles from GIA's Robert Mouawad Campus, in Carlsbad, California, and admits she'd seen the tower, but never knew what went on in the building it belonged to.

After retiring from a career in the travel industry and raising her daughter, Hanson began to search online for opportunities to serve her community and came across a listing with a location she recognized: GIA was on the lookout for volunteers and she jumped at the opportunity.

"It's a very interesting place to be. There's always something new to learn and people here are great to work with, friendly, knowledgeable. And, it's fun," says Hanson, who became a GIA volunteer in 2007.

Yvette Wilson, GIA's Guest Services manager and creator of the Institute's volunteer program, says prospective volunteers are carefully screened before they join the team; each goes through an extensive application process, one-on-one interviews, a background check and a four-week training program that includes presentations by GIA's executive team.

Rhonda Hanson takes a group of junior gemologist students through the Institute. She became a GIA volunteer with no prior connection to the industry and says she's learned so much since being here, especially by attending the Institute's Museum Lecture Series presentations, which volunteers are invited to free of charge. Photo by Emily Stegman

"It's a continual learning process for them; they're privy to a lot of things about the Institute and the trade that maybe the average person isn't," Wilson says.

The reason for this preparation, she says, is that if local residents and the general public aren't sure of what to make of the twinkling tower on the hill, then perhaps the volunteers have one of the most important jobs of all at GIA: to help clarify the mystique surrounding the Institute, the industry it represents and the services it provides to the public.

Karen McDonald (far right) takes a group of visitors around GIA's headquarter campus in Carlsbad, California. She says that volunteering at the Institute is one of "the best times of the week." Photo by Valerie Power

"We pulled up and I said, 'GIA! If you would have told me that, I'd have been here with bells on.'"

The mother of two and grandmother of four had a childhood affection for historical jewelry books and owned an antique shop specializing in jewelry and objets d'art in La Jolla, California, for years. Needless to say, her enthusiasm continued throughout her tour of GIA that day and an employee asked if she'd be interested in volunteering.

"The people at GIA are absolutely incredible," says Rose Odom, a GIA volunteer since April 2007. "They make you feel like you're a part of a team and that you're really important to the goals GIA stands for - the integrity and the professionalism." Photo by Emily Stegman

"I'm so grateful to be here. I consider it a privilege and I love to tell people about GIA and I love to get groups to come in," Odom says. "I can't think of a better place to volunteer."

Tours of the campus begin outside with a discussion of that eye-catching tower and an overview of the campus. Visitors get a glimpse into GIA's history, founders, course offerings and services, and a chance to view the numerous jewelry and photograph exhibits as they follow their guide through the Institute.

"Maybe your day didn't start out so well, but all of the sudden you get people who are asking questions and are interested in what you're saying, and when you're done they're clapping and thanking you for your time. I don't think you can put a price on how that makes a person feel," says Wilson, who has given countless tours herself and still does today.

Karen McDonald, a former retail jeweler who studied gemology at GIA in the early '80s, says one of her favorite aspects of being a tour guide is the variety of people she meets and the scope of questions they ask.

"For me, [volunteering here] is the perfect choice," McDonald says. "Not only do I enjoy it, but it's a way for me to keep in touch with what I did for many years."

She found out about the volunteer opportunity in The Loupe and graduated from the very first training class in 2004. She is pleased to be among GIA's volunteers, whom she views as an "untapped group of people with a lot of time and creativity."

McDonald and her fellow volunteers will have a chance to put that creativity to use as they work with the Museum on filling two display cases in the headquarter campus' main atrium in the near future. She is also involved in developing a Girl Scout program at the Institute, which will teach troops to design and make their own jewelry for a merit badge.

McDonald admits that working with an entirely new group of people each tour can be challenging, but she wants them all to walk away with the same idea about GIA.

"An appreciation for the integrity that's possible in the jewelry business … that there are people out there in this business who are trying to do their best job and that there's an organization like GIA that not only trains, but sets standards," she says. "That, and the true joy of what's available to them in this industry."

While tours are a common duty for GIA volunteers, there's also a need for teachers for the Institute's Junior Gemologist Program™ – a two-hour class that introduces fourth through sixth graders to geology, mineralogy and gemology with a slideshow presentation and hands-on gemstone and microscope activities.

Wilson wrote the program in 2003 and has since helped it spread to school children across the U.S. GIA's volunteer program had yet to be established when the class began, so staff members donated their spare time to help out.

That's how Wilson got to know Larne Antrim, former associate editor for The Loupe who is now a Guest Services coordinator. Antrim is deeply involved in the volunteer program and still frequently gives tours and teaches Junior Gemologist classes. She says she loves working with volunteers.

"In the world of volunteering, people step forward because they have something to offer and something to give," Antrim says. "When they come to GIA and find out this is a great place to share their knowledge and information, it's their own reward in a lot of ways."

Hanson can see the logic in that and admits there's nothing like seeing the kids get excited over what they're learning, some commenting that they want to study at GIA some day. "Even the ones who don't have as much of an interest in gemology, there are some things that just grab them and they all love looking at the stones under the microscopes and doing the hands-on activities."

Dr. Geoffrey Smith, who had a private practice focusing on the ear, nose, throat and facial plastic surgery, took several courses at GIA a few years before he retired in 1999. He spent time as a teacher in the medical field and was partial to the Junior Gemologist Program when he began to volunteer at GIA.

"Well, the fourth graders are, quite frankly, an awful lot more fun to teach than practicing doctors or medical students in residency. They aren't anywhere near as intense and they enjoy learning, and it's fun being a teacher in that situation," Smith says.

Smith's father was an archeologist so he grew up around Roman and Egyptian jewelry, among other antiquities. His father was also the founder and developer of the San Bernardino County Museum and as a boy Smith took part in the junior gemology program there. Each participant was given a blue calcite nameplate; Smith saved his as a reminder of the class and believes the booklet GIA gives to their junior gemologists will remind them of their experience in the program.

Most importantly, Smith says, the kids who take the class will see how enthusiastic each volunteer is about the subject matter and perhaps be inspired to pursue gemology later in their lives.

Although most GIA volunteers are retired, they maintain busy lives while staying committed to volunteering.

"Our volunteers are very selfless; they don't have to do any of this. They're very giving of their time, even when we're in a crunch and really need them, they're more than willing to help us out," Wilson says.

Hanson, for instance, devotes time to caring for children 5 years and younger at Casa de Amparo, a child development center and shelter serving abused children; she also has a daughter in high school.

Odom is busy attending recitals and performances for her four grandchildren and enjoying having her own children close by. She lives further away than most volunteers, yet is willing to make the drive at a moment's notice if there's a need.

Smith is involved with Americans Helping Asian Children, a charity to help deaf children in Southeast Asia that keeps him traveling to that area at least two times a year. He fits children with hearing aids, teaches doctors new techniques and evaluates the school for deaf children during his visits.

"For me, it's a pleasure to come here, but for some it's a pleasure and a real sacrifice," McDonald says. "It's always nice to have people on staff say they appreciate having us here."

In 2007, more than 7,800 visitors (2,500 more than 2006) came to the Carlsbad campus for more than 450 tours. In total, the Institute's volunteers contributed more than 2,000 hours, not including their training time, to help welcome those visitors.

"GIA's 24 volunteers have already donated nearly 200 hours this year, with the busiest months ahead," Wilson says. She adds that since the program's inception, GIA's volunteers have cumulatively donated more than $40,000 of their personal time, according to statistics provided by USA Freedom Corps, an organization created by President George W. Bush in 2002 to cultivate the culture of service and citizenship generated in the aftermath of September 11.

Both Wilson and Antrim agree that the volunteers serve a vital role for GIA and are quick to give them the kudos they deserve. The two host a recognition luncheon for the volunteers each April, which happens to be National Volunteer Month.

Wilson also began to submit nominees for the President's Volunteer Service Award last year, an award authorized by the President of the United States' Council based on the amount of hours a volunteer has donated to working with children.

"We truly appreciate our volunteers. … They come to us with a lot of knowledge and a lot of life experiences that maybe we don't have, so they're able to share that with us. It's a win-win," Wilson says.

"They're so genuine and so sincere about how they feel about our industry and that commitment is clear."

Tour dates vary due to the campus calendar, so please call ahead for available dates. Individual and group tours can be scheduled by contacting Guest Services at guestservicesmailbox@gia.edu, or (800) 421-7250, ext. 4116. Outside the U.S., call (760) 603-4116. Adults entering the campus will be required to show photo identification.

You can also contact Guest Services for more information on how to become a GIA volunteer.