The Whole is Greater Than the Sum of its Parts
By: Amy Malach, Volunteer Administration Assistant
Photo: Amy and the wooden puzzle at the market, taken by Heather Savard.
One of our many exciting tasks working
in the volunteer department is our occasional trips to local farmer’s markets.
These outings are intended to both recruit new volunteers and advertise for the
festival. Every time we head out to the markets we make sure to bring
our trifold, handbills, brochures, applications, candy, pins, stickers, email
sign up sheets, and of course; our giant wooden puzzle.
On market days, transporting this puzzle can be one of our most difficult tasks. There are a few reasons hauling this puzzle around town is one of our less preferred activities. With each large coloured piece being made entirely of solid wood, the sheer weight of the puzzle itself is extremely heavy (can anyone say arm day?). The wooden box also has no handles and a few protruding nails, which needless to say makes for some often difficult and painful attempts at trying to get a good grip, especially when the only parking spot available near the market is across a busy street with a shortly timed walk signal. Despite the trouble it takes to carry these puzzle pieces to every market, they seem to be the biggest draw for many passersby. It always proves to have been worth the trouble of bringing along the puzzle, as children and adults alike love to come put some pieces together or add onto the already existing structures, creating something unique and intriguing with every new addition.
Much like how the farmer’s market patrons contribute to the interconnected structures created out of the puzzle pieces, our volunteers all have an important place in our festival and are all in essence, the “puzzle pieces” that come together to create the structure of the festival. Some pieces reliably ground the structure and prevent it from tipping over, while others placed on top create intricate and eye-catching arrangements. The pieces can work and be placed together in many different ways, their versatility allowing countless possibilities. Our volunteers also possess these qualities and more. They are reliable, creative, unique, and adaptable and without them, the festival would most certainly not be possible. In both the interviewing and scheduling of volunteers for the festival, I am amazed at the diverse backgrounds of our volunteers as well as the numerous strengths and attributes they possess. I know that much like the pieces in our farmer’s market puzzle, each role they fill and the work they do will interconnect to make something great. With all of this being said, I think it’s clear that in these days leading up to the festival, I am very excited to see how these “pieces” will fit together to create an amazing whole.
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About the author: Amy Malach is a fourth-year student at the University of Alberta majoring in psychology and double minoring in art & design and Italian. She is excited to expand her artistic knowledge and gain invaluable interpersonal experience working in the volunteer department in the Works to Work program. Amy is a current member of the University of Alberta Mixed Chorus, working on attaining her grade 9 RCM certificate for piano, and is a four-time recipient of the band student of the year award for alto saxophone. She has a deep appreciation for and interest in all things creative and hopes to combine her love of art, music, and psychology in her future pursuits.