SHOWING UP IS HALF THE BATTLE, SAYS THIS VOLUNTEER

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Craig Dubishar. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

All his life, Craig Dubishar has been saying that everyone should get out there and volunteer. With a lifelong commitment to serving others, Craig is a testament to this idea. Twenty-six years ago, Craig was working as an attorney at the law firm Venable, Baetjer and Howard. A dear friend was on the board of directors at Volunteer Fairfax, an organization that engages people and organizations to amplify their community impact. Craig had already graduated from Leadership Fairfax, a community leadership service organization, and saw an opportunity when his friend was stepping off the board after eight years. In that moment, Craig jumped in and offered to be on the board. Throughout the next 26 years, he has served as Secretary, Vice President and President of the Board for two consecutive years of the Board. Nearly three decades later, Craig is the longest-standing board member for that organization.

In addition to his work with Volunteer Fairfax, Craig has a variety of additional volunteer avenues he frequently travels. A part of the Boy Scouts of America since 1968, Craig has been a registered Scouter with the National Capital Area Council (NCAC) since 1998, in addition to several other roles associated with the Scouts. He regularly teaches the “Land Navigation” hands-on unit to up-and-coming high adventure participants and is a leader of High Adventure Council’s Adult Advisor annual shakedown, preparing them for backpacking expeditions. Whether he’s leading treks on the Appalachian Trail or serving in Eagle Board of Reviews to learn what rising Eagles are doing to serve others, Craig carries that mission of service and adventure with him.

After 26 years at Volunteer Fairfax, Craig just resigned from the board. He’s getting toward retirement age and no longer lives in Fairfax County. But that doesn’t mean his time of volunteerism has come to a close. Ultimately, Craig believes his greatest skill is just showing up, and there’s no doubt that he’ll keep on doing so. His shining example to be a force for good can inspire us all to do the same.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

Twenty-six years ago, I was at the law firm Venable, Baetjer and Howard, and one of my good buddies was on the board of directors at Volunteer Fairfax. Venable was a sponsor of Volunteer Fairfax, and still is all these years later. In 2000, I was already a graduate of Leadership Fairfax, a community leadership service organization. When my friend was departing from the board after eight years, I jumped in and offered to be on the board. I’m the longest-standing board member for that organization, so I’ve been on the board for 26 years. This was one of those opportunities where I had the time and the energy to actually give time to it.

What inspires you to volunteer?

Citizens of the United States are fortunate. I grew up in middle-class America with a stay-at-home mom. My dad just finished high school, but was a career force officer, and we still had more than most people throughout the world. Helping the community and volunteering are just something we should do. Looking for volunteer opportunities is something I think we all should do, and I try to do.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Volunteer Fairfax.

I’ve been volunteering all my life. At Volunteer Fairfax, I’m on the board of directors to help provide leadership and guidance. Throughout the year, there might be a Volunteer Fest, a day that the organization would coordinate with nonprofits throughout Fairfax County, get volunteers and coordinate that interaction and connection so that they can get those projects done. As board members, we were encouraged to get out on Volunteer Fest days to do whatever it might be. Back in the day, I took the emergency management training for the volunteer center. Volunteer Fairfax has a seat at the Fairfax County Emergency Center, so whenever that’s activated, whether it’s Hurricane Isabel or a presidential election, the board could help with that. I trained for that role.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

Volunteering is critical. Being with a regional nonprofit where their focus is to coordinate and find volunteers and have meaningful volunteer activities is super important. I’ve also been on the National Capital Area Council High Adventure Committee for 26 years as well, and our goal is to make sure those adventure activities, which include canoeing, backpacking, scuba diving and sailing, are available and taught to the Scouts. I focus on backpacking. It’s very rewarding to see Scouts get out and have a life-changing experience backpacking for two weeks, and then see how that grows into a lifelong passion for that kind of sport, being healthy and leadership.

The Haiti mission trips that I’ve either led or been on eight times are amazingly rewarding because you see that the relationships you build with people are meaningful. They absolutely need clean water, they absolutely need shelter, but listening to them and helping to find money to build their own shelter was extraordinarily meaningful.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

Hugely humbling experiences. I sometimes think to myself that I’m not doing enough, because you see and hear and meet the people who are doing volunteer stuff throughout the county, and they’re doing amazing things. It just motivates you to want to do more and be so thankful for volunteers. That’s a huge motivation: just knowing that there really is an impact. Volunteers make a huge impact. Without volunteers, many things would not happen in our country, not just in Fairfax County. Volunteering is critical to supporting your community.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

You’re probably not going to have people volunteer for things that they don’t care about, or that they’re neutral about. You’ve got to go and introduce people to things that they might care about and have a passion for, or help them connect with those organizations that need that passion.

That’s really what motivates me. I’m not going to go volunteer for an organization that I have no clue about, or any idea what they do. I’m looking for organizations that I feel either my skill set or my passions can connect with. It’s critical to help make that connection.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

You’ve got to fish or cut bait, so to speak. If you’re thinking about volunteering, but you’re not really sure, that’s step number one. You’re at least thinking in a community-minded mode. Number two: just go find something. Go to your library, go to your local web search. Mr. Google probably will find something for you. I think the third thing is to be patient and understanding, so that if you have that first volunteer experience and it didn’t really hit home for you, do it again. Don’t give up after one or two times. Do it again, because there are so many opportunities out there.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

All I’ve done all my life is show up. I show up and then I help. I do things, and I take photographs and spread the word. Showing up is the first step. That’s what we do. We show up, and once we show up and keep showing up, you gain that passion for volunteering because you’re getting something out of it, which is making an impact on somebody else’s life. But you’re clearly also impacting that life and impacting their community. I think the message I want people to hear is just to show up.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Craig? Find local volunteer opportunities.