About our volunteers

Global Gallery Online: (www.globalgalleryonline.org)

Anna E. PR and External relation Intern

I am very glad to share my experience being with Global Gallery. I am Russian, but am doing my Master’s degree in International Communication in France. To graduate I needed to do my internship abroad. I was looking for a PR position on the Internet and on Idealist.org I have found a wonderful invitation from Global Gallery to join their team.

My first weeks were very challenging but really great as I had a lot of support from everyone. I have met many interesting people and understood why they all are so devoted to the Gallery. The atmosphere of this organization and the store lets you open up and do everything you can to contribute to it.

I got to know about the big impact Fair trade has on the life of the artisans and producers in third world countries. The volunteers and people who come to Global Gallery are from all over the world and know how different life is in poor countries.

I still have most of my internship in front of me and I sincerely hope that I will be able to bring important changes and help to Global Gallery.

Anna Fecker, volunteer coordinator and store manager:

anna fecker When I first moved to Columbus as a student 3 years ago, I enjoyed spending time at Global Gallery as a shopper. Then, as a member of West African Drumming Ensemble at the Ohio State University, I came to know the Gallery as a performer at Gallery Hop and Special in-store events. Now, as a volunteer and working with other volunteers, I am learning more about Fair Trade and many different people and cultures around the world – an experience that was always enjoyable as a customer too. I appreciate that I can shop at the Gallery and be socially responsible with my purchases thanks to the principles of Fair Trade. Columbus is lucky to have a place lime this one!

Annie, volunteer:

I called the Gallery on a whim hoping they needed paid help, but alas they needed volunteers, and, was not down with that at the time. Well as time progressed I had time on my hands than I wished to have so I called again hoping for a volunteer spot and the rest is history! I am continuing to learn a lot about fair trade and what it means for the people who make our products. I am very glad to be part of such a worthy and wonderful organization.

Chukwugekwu B. Eneh, volunteer:

I came to know about Global Gallery in summer 2002, while visiting a Ten Thousand Villages store in Arlington Town, Virginia. When I came back from my vacation I called and spoke with Saroj, the volunteer coordinator and store manager. Ever since, I have stuck with the Gallery. I test out marketing skills, help with product placement, teach drum and other African Instruments, and work as a special event volunteer. I love the store, the people and the friendly atmosphere. It’s a great place to shop any day!

Jampa, store-manager:

15 Global Gallery is a place where you can get a taste of various cultures, al in one room. A room where handmade arts, crafts, and other beautiful gifts from all over the world bring different types of people together. It has now been a couple of years since I have been working with members of the Global Gallery, Unicef, and other volunteers. I enjoy getting to meet and know the new volunteers, who are always willing  to help and offer their input as well as the Unicef volunteers , who have been with the gallery for a generous amount of time. I would love to see more skilled volunteers at the Gallery that could further promote the message of the gallery.

Jessica Kayse, volunteer:

I found out about Global Gallery from Alive magazine. I was looking for volunteer work and when I called they were very nice. I am interested in different cultures and this is a great place to work for. I have done many different jobs while I have been here. Everyone is very nice and understanding. It is a fun and exciting environment to work in.

Katherine Wirick, voluntter, designer:

My mother and I came to Global Gallery via the Columbus Mennonite Church. I  have been working here for more than five years. I do sales, inventory control and graphic design work for the Gallery. I enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and the interesting merchandise, as well as the vibrant Short North neighborhood. Through Global Gallery I have met many interesting people, and I hope to continue my work here in the future.

 

 Matt Alsufy, volunteer:

Matt and JumpaMy company, BMW Financial Services, offers its
employees one day off a year to volunteer for the
Columbus community, which is part of its ongoing
social responsibility and community involvement
efforts.   I was searching in a list available by my
company for organizations that we can volunteer for,
which included Global Gallery.  I chose Global Gallery
due to the fact that I enjoy art-related volunteering
opportunities, and also was interested in what it
stood for. 

My experience with volunteering for Global Gallery has
been very interesting and exciting.  I appreciate the
values and efforts it stands for.  Remarkably, Global
Gallery orchestrates one of the most relaxed and
friendliest volunteering opportunities.  Also, I’ve
enjoyed working with its staff extraordinarily (who
happened to be volunteers as well).  This is my second
involvement with it this year, and looking for more to
come! 

Matthew Troillett, newsletter editor, web-site support:

I began volunteering as my service project for school. We were required 20 hours and usually this was achieved over a 10 week period. But, being the overachiever that I am I finished my 20 hours in ABOUT 4 WEEKS! And I didn’t stop there. I continued volunteering and became more and more involved. Eventually I came to be in charge of Global Gallery’s Newsletter “Global Connections” – I have begun yet another adventure in my Global Gallery experience!

I loved Global Gallery from the minute I stepped in the door, and everything about it – the people, the products, the customers, but most of all – the culture. Volunteering at Global Gallery opened my eyes to so many incredible, wonderful, amazing, exiting things. Things and people who I never even knew existed were becoming part of my life and daily thinking. I have and continue to learn so many great things! Global Gallery has helped in molding me to become the person I think I am now.


Saroj Sedalia, volunteer coordinator:

I first learned about Global Gallery just by walking by. The store was very interesting. I am currently a volunteer coordinator but I have had many different jobs here at Global Gallery (sales, event promotion, manager, ect.) Volunteering at Global Gallery was one of the most fulfilling experiences I have had since moving to Columbus. The entire experience gave me the opportunity to learn about other countries, fair trade and , most importantly, how we as consumers in the U,S, can help artisans and farmers in other countries, Great people, fun times!

Shane Bauerle, volunteer:

shane Since the Global Village (Delaware, OH) opened 10 years ago I was interested in visiting the store. My love for cultural experiences and desire to travel help me away until early 2003. When I was finally able I walked in and talked to a volunteer there. He told me about his church involvement and the need for motivated volunteers. He gave me a brochure with Global Gallery’s address when I told him I now lived in Columbus. That same day I drove to the Gallery and met Matt and Sue for the first time. They were happy to hear about my interest in volunteering and gave me Saroj’s phone number. Saroj asked me when I wanted to volunteer and what I wanted to do as a volunteer. She suggested I start with 3 hours rather than 8 hours one day a weak as I had said. So far I have packed/unpacked, organized merchandize, manned the register, taken out trash, helped with computer issues, fixed the plumbing, and helped at various special events. I am a Global Gallery’s beast of burden. What I like most about volunteering is being a heterosexual man in an organization that is 95% beautiful women. I volunteer 12-6 on Thursdays and for special events when my schedule allows it. I enjoy being useful and productive. The Gallery always has opportunities to put your skills to work whatever they may be.