Updated 4/11/11
Sharon Nickodem, Intel Retiree from Santa Clara, Wins the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Gualala Arts Organization.
Even before Sharon retired in 2006, she was volunteering for the Gualala Arts Organization. After a long career in Information Technology, this was quite a change of direction but her volunteer activities took advantage of many skills that Sharon learned at Intel.
The Gualala Arts Organization is a community arts organization, located on the Mendocino County coast in California, and is dedicated to promoting public interest and participation in the arts since 1961.
They are very proud to have Sharon on their team. As David “Sus” Susalla, Executive Director, exclaims, “We could not be more proud to announce the volunteer of the year, Sharon Nickodem. I cannot think of a volunteer who wears as many hats as Sharon here at Gualala Arts. It takes a very caring, dedicated, hard-working, multi-tasking person to help in so many ways. We are honored to have her in our family!” Sharon is most proud of her creative donations. The Intel – United Way campaign allows her to donate to Gualala Arts. United Way then distributes these matching funds to Gualala Arts, thus doubling the community value of her donation. The second program, the Volunteer Matching Grant program, pays the approved non-profit organization $10/hour for each hour she volunteers. “Not only does Gualala Arts receive the direct benefit of her service, but we also receive a financial benefit as well.”
The Staff of Gualala Arts surprised Sharon with the Volunteer of the Year Award and the certificate for a lifetime membership.
Sharon Nickodem has an incredible amount of energy and her contributions to the organization include:
- Gualala Arts Garden Guild Luncheon & Fashion Show – 2008, 2007
- Art Off the Wall – 2009
- Art in the Redwoods Try It Art Booth – 2009
- A volunteer at every Art in the Redwoods since 2005
- Workshops Committee – 2009
- Gualala Arts Clay Studio – 2009, 2008, 2007
- Festival of Trees volunteer for four years
- Gualala Arts Library volunteer for three years, Head Librarian for a year
- Gualala Arts Photo Group (since dissolved)
- Photographer of summer camp children (photographs they take home)
- Sketches monthly mailing team for three years
- Dolphin Gallery volunteer for three years (Take a breath!)
- Grant Writer – getting funding for the Mariachi Band & Folkloric Dancers
- Gualala Arts Exhibit Committee 2009
- Curator for “Alternatives” exhibit of photography
- Curator for 2009 “Household Shrines, Sacred Spaces in Everyday Life”.
When asked “What is most rewarding about your volunteering, Sharon replied: “Using my Intel acquired management skills and values to benefit a non-profit organization is very rewarding, and having time to participate in the arts hands on is great fun!” More information about this organization can be found on their website at https://gualalaarts.org/.