Throughout my adult life, I've always been involved as a volunteer with different organizations. I began volunteering with Oak Island and Brunswick County organizations within a year after retiring here in 1998.
1999 - 2002 Volunteer with Paw's Place Animal Shelter, assisting with the care of the dogs, member of the Board of Directors.
2001 - Present - East Coast Coordinator for Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue in Raleigh, NC
2002 - Present - Formed "Tails U Win", a Dog Rescue group specializing in Ill, Endangered and Injured puppies. To date, we have placed over 2500 dogs and pups into new adoptive homes. About 3 dozen of those have been adopted by local Oak Island families.
2003 to Present - Volunteer Videographer and Editor of the Oak Island Town Council meetings. Videotaping, Editing and broadcasting every Regular Town Council meeting, most Special Town Council meetings and the final Budget Workshop meeting, with the assistance of additional volunteers serving as videographer for "Camera 2".
(When I begin serving as Mayor I will of course not be able to run the video camera and the audio system, but I have already made arrangements with a volunteer experienced in videotaping and audio systems to continue those duties. )
2004 to Present - Managing the software and equipment used to broadcast the information on Oak Island's Government Access Channel 8. In 2006, along with upgrading the videotaping equipment, I installed and implemented the use of the Aavelin Digital Broadcasting system using the Adtec MPEG player which provides full digital video and audio broadcast.
2005 to Present - Oak Island Police Department's K-9 Program with Oreo; videotaping most of her training beginning at the age of 12 weeks, produced a video of her first year's progress through her certification through the NNDDA at the young age of 10 months, and her second certification along with other North Carolina K-9 teams in September of 2007.
When K-9 Buck joined the Police Department, I began work wirh both teams and their trainer in videotaping their training sessions and public appearances.
2005 to 2008 - Coastal Carolina K-9 Officers Association, a group of area K-9 Handlers and their working dogs. Managed all financials for the training association. Served as videographer, events coordinator and Treasurer
2008 - Served as Student Mentor for a high school student's Senior Project, a report on the excessive numbers of unwanted dogs and cats that are euthanized in shelters throughout the United States because of the lack of spay/neuter by their owners. Individuals from Las Vegas, Indiana and Sydney, Australia collaberated with him for his required "product", a 35 minute documentary video. He received an extra-credit grade of 110 for the video production, and a final averaged grade of 96 for the project.
AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES;
2006 Plaque of Appreciation from the Town of Oak Island for Broadcasting of Community Meetings, Events and Information.
Plaque of appreciation presented to Tails U Win for our assistance in Oreo's early training and financial assistance for equipment for K-9 Police vehicle.
2009 Beach Preservationist of the Year award from the Oak Island Beach Preservation Society for volunteer work as Videographer and Editor of "Long Live Our Beach", a 30 minute video distributed by the BPS to the citizens of and visitors to Oak Island.
CURRENT OAK ISLAND AND BRUNSWICK COUNTY COMMITTEES AND ORGANIZATIONS;
Animal Control Advisory Board
Beach Preservation Society
Emergency Management Team
Paws-Ability of Ocean Isle
Ruth T. Bigham Senior Citizens Center
My Community Involvement other than running Tails U Win Dog Rescue, Videotaping and Editing of Council Meetings and managing Government Access Channel 8 has included, among others;
Videotaping and Broadcasting Community Information Events such as;
Hurricane Preparation and Evacuation Procedures presented by the Oak Island Police Department
Beach Emergency and Safety Procedures presented by Oak Island Water Rescue & Oak Island Fire & EMS Services
Golf Cart Rules and Regulations presented by the Oak Island Police Department
Domestic Violence Abuse Prevention presented by Brunswick County Social Services
Pre-School Graduation Ceremony of the Community Resource Center's Pre-School Program
Rip Current Escape and Rescue presented by Oak Island Water Rescue Station 44
Trees and Shrubbery Planting and Care presented by David Nash, Brunswick County Agricultural Extension Agency
Sea Turtle Nesting and Habitat Management presented by Donna Michaux
Drug Abuse Prevention and Information presented by the State Port Pilot and the Oak Island Police Department
Holiday Safety Public Service Announcements presented by the Oak Island Police Department
Home Fire Escape Procedures presented by the Oak Island Fire & EMS Department
Firearms and Gun Safety presented by Chris Franks, Oak Island Police Department
Oak Island Community Resource Center's After School Program's Talent Show
Sexual Harassment Education and Information presentation, for all present and future employees
Rain Barrel Installation and Use presented by the Stormwater Advisory Board
Drought Management presented by Al Hight of the Brunswick County Agricultural Extention Office
Live Oak Propogation presented by David Nash
