University of Maryland

Department of Communications
COMM 386: Experiential Learning Spring 2016

Katherine McGinnity
February 10, 2016

Point Paper Interview with Volunteer

Subject: Every month the Project Manager, Catherine, interviews a volunteer
within the different districts and interviews them to find out their journey as a
volunteer and learn more about their work an spiritual journey. I attended the
interview conference call to hea how Catherine structures the interview so
that I can later on conduct one myself.
Discussion: We interviewed a volunteer who had been with IVC for several
years and worked with Habitat For Humanity and builds houses for the less
fortunate. Learning about his experience was humbling and astounding.
The interview lasted about 45 minutes and the questions ranged from what
the kind of work he did to who it helps to how this has affected him and his
spiritual reflection. These kinds of questions helped me understand more of
what IVC offers as a company and what their purpose and mission really is. It
allowed me to see how IVC differs from other services because of their
Spiritual Reflection.
Spiritual Reflection involves reflecting with a group of people once a month
and talking about their experiences and reflecting how it brings them closer
to God and their beliefs. Within the Jesuit community, reflection and
discerning is very important because it helps us serve others.
This interview was important because Catherine explains how doing these
interviews and articles allows us to spread the word about IVC and getting
more volunteers. This ultimately helps the business side of IVC. In a sense, its
marketing that is not done directly. Often times when people hear how the
volunteers are helping others and how IVC is different and what it offers, they
want to join in on it as well.
This also helps our donors see how their money is helping IVC and where
their money is going. This is vital for donors. Ive learned that giving money is
risky, and knowing where your money is going is important and this gives
them an opportunity to see how they are benefitting not only IVC but the
volunteers and the people who receive service.
Recommendations: Although this was my first time on the interview, I
would have liked to speak more. There is a list of questions that Catherine
follows and for next time coming up with some of my own questions to ask
the volunteer and gain a little more information.