River heroine makes a splash

Featured volunteer — May 2008

by Allison Thrash

Photo © Dodie Parrott

Liz Fisher isn’t afraid to talk to strangers, especially if it’s about the Mississippi River Challenge (MRC). Last year, Liz was responsible for getting approximately three dozen people, including family, friends, and yes — even strangers, to volunteer at the MRC. She has even bigger plans for this year.

What’s the secret to her success? For starters, she is an excellent community organizer, but she’s more apt to describe herself as “not shy.” “I enjoy talking to people,” Liz says, “and I have a lot of ideas about who would be interested in the Challenge.”

Last year, her list included the Izaak Walton League, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected conservation organizations. “The Ikes” just happen to have a chapter organization not far from Liz’s house in Brooklyn Park. She had been thinking about calling them to encourage them to participate in the Challenge, but driving past their building one day, she noticed people standing outside. Liz made a snap decision to stop and chat with them. Her friendliness and enthusiasm for the MRC sparked their interest. Liz says, “I was thinking about their involvement from the perspective of getting more volunteers to help with the event; in the end, about 12 ‘Ikes’ volunteered, but some even ended up paddling the event.”

Perhaps even more importantly, Liz fostered a connection between the Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) and the Izaak Walton League that endures. For example, the Ikes have invited FMR to give presentations to their membership on river conservation and water quality.

Finding a volunteer to help recruit volunteers is a tough sell for any non-profit organization. So it’s pretty unusual to have a volunteer to take it upon herself to recruit volunteers for an event. It’s practically unheard of for a volunteer to set a personal recruitment goal and develop a vision for how she would like to see an event improved. Yet, to the delight of FMR, this is exactly what Liz has done for the Challenge. This year Liz hopes to get even more volunteers. “I have a list of organizations, including the Scouts, some churches and other organizations around Brooklyn Park that I plan to talk to about helping out with the MRC,” says Liz.

What is perhaps most surprising and inspiring about this river heroine is the way that Liz came to be involved the MRC. As someone who’s had both hips replaced and must use a cane as a result of the surgery, Liz doesn’t fit the stereotypical profile of a paddler. A while ago, Liz came across some of FMR’s volunteer opportunities on the Web. She wanted to try them, but wasn’t sure if they would be accessible to someone with physical limitations. So, she contacted FMR volunteer coordinator sue rich to talk about it. “I found sue to be responsive and considerate. We had a good conversation, and she even asked me to help her come up with a system to more clearly identify which audiences various FMR events are suitable for.”

This, like her spontaneous stop at the Izaak Walton League, has led to other opportunities. The staff at FMR quickly recognized Liz’s talent and enthusiasm and asked her to help with the MRC. “FMR gives me the freedom and flexibility to do this in the way that I want, they don’t try to hold me back,” says Liz.

In fact, Liz has become such an important and valued part of the team that FMR has assigned an intern to ensure that Liz has the support and resources she needs to meet her goal and realize her vision.

When asked why she volunteers for FMR, Liz said, “Growing up in Minnesota I’ve always loved all the seasons and being outdoors. With my current physical limitations I can’t do as much as I used to, but I still want to give back to the environment. FMR is a wonderful organization, and this is my way of giving back.”

For more information on volunteering for the Mississippi River Challenge, visit www.mississippiriverchallenge.com. If you're wondering whether the MRC would be a good fit for a church, business or other group you are part of, please call sue at 651-222-2103 x14 (best times are Tuesday through Thursday). Read more…