VOLUNTEER OF VAL CLARK: VOLUNTEERING THE MONTH IS THE ‘WRITE’ THING TO DO
VOLUNTEERING in the arts creates opportunities for the wider community to get involved and participate in artistic pursuits. Local author and writing mentor, Val Clark has long been a volunteer with the Outback Writers’ Centre. She and her volunteer team are busy putting in dedicated hours towards hosting the Dubbo Writers’ Festival, on next weekend.
Val especially enjoys creating opportunities for community members to become writers too. What is your volunteer role? I'm President of the Outback Writers' Centre and Artistic Director of the Dubbo Writers' Festival. I’m currently working with a team of two other writers organising the Festival which is on next week.
How much time do you dedicate in this role?
It depends on the time of the year. Preparing for the Writers' Festival next week, takes about 5 to 8 hours per week.
What will the results of your volunteering look like?
I hope that new writers will be encouraged to keep learning new skills through the workshops and critique groups we run during the year and eventually be confident about putting their work into the public sphere.
What do you enjoy about the role?
I enjoy meeting and encouraging other writers no matter what their ages are, or the stage and genre of their writing.
What are some of the challenges you experience as a volunteer?
Time. Time is always an issue. Time to help run the programs we run, connect with other writers and do my own writing.
How do other people benefit from your volunteering?
I hope that people are encouraged to continue writing, improve as they take on new skills and competencies as writers, enjoy the pleasure that comes with doing something – in this case writing – to the best of their ability and for those who want to see their work published, be given the best opportunities to make that happen.
What would you say to
encourage others to volunteer with your community group?
It doesn't matter if you are just starting out, write for personal pleasure, for family history, have published your work in anthologies, self-published or traditionally published a larger body of work, there is a place for you in the Outback Writers' Centre. From beginner to mentor wherever you are on that spectrum, whatever you write, you will be welcomed.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
The Dubbo Writers' Festival runs from September 9 to 11 with many free and paid events.