Tom McVary, 2017 V. Thomas Metcalfe Volunteer of the Year
The V. Thomas Metcalfe Volunteer of the Year Award is named in memory of community leader Tom Metcalfe, a friend of Wisconsin Public Television. It honors a volunteer demonstrating outstanding leadership and commitment to WPT. Our 2017 recipient is Tom McVary.
In 2004, Tom McVary volunteered with the American Family Insurance group for WPT’s Auction. Fast forward to 2017 and you’ll see Tom helping out at all of our membership drives, Auction, Garden Expo and Quilt Expo. Tom is a jack-of-all-trades, taking on leadership roles at our membership drives and expos, as well as being an auctioneer and phone bank captain at Auction. Regardless of the task, Tom is willing to take on any job and do it with a smile. Tom volunteered over 440 hours in the last year and was highly nominated by his fellow volunteers for this award. Thank you, Tom!
Here’s what Tom has to say about volunteering with WPT:
What is your favorite volunteer job at WPT? Oh, boy. Do I have to pick one? I think auctioneer. I get to be on TV [laughs]. I get to be part of something that’s bigger than me – and all of my friends see me on TV, all the texts fly in. It took the most to be able to do that. Even though I find it very easy to speak in public, it was extremely nerve wracking to be on for an entire event.
One of my goals – I’m laughing, because it’s a fun thing in the back of my mind – is to do every job at Auction, every job available, just to try it.
Why is WPT meaningful to you? For all the time I was growing up, the programs I watched and the things I could relate to, it’s time to give back. I feel honored to be able to stand up and say that I give my time to WPT. One core reason why the vast majority of my time goes toward WPT, and will continue to do so, is the leadership. From the very first time I volunteered, the supervisors all the way up to Jon Miskowski, the now director, make you feel so welcome, so needed and appreciated, that the good feeling I get from volunteering for that organization makes me want to go all in. You go home at night and you’re absolutely run ragged because you’ve spent an entire Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. doing a membership drive. Next day, you get up and do it again because of the people who work there.
What’s your reaction to being named Volunteer of the Year? It was kind of a goal, but I was a little overwhelmed. But I was very honored because of all the people who have come before me in that honor. I always saw opportunities to be more than just a guy that shows up. I got to be an individual who got to inspire people to volunteer as well. When I thought about it, I told myself, “I want to go full bore to see what I’m capable of and what can fit into my work schedule.” It just so happened that last year was the time.
What would you say to a first-time volunteer? “We appreciate you, and we hope to see you again.” Your first membership drive can be an intense learning period. I’d say, “Don’t worry; we’ve got your back. We’ll give you all the tools you need, and it becomes easier and easier the more you do it.”
