This year, I’ve been a part of DePaul’s largest fundraising organization DemonTHON, which raises money for Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital here in Chicago. Last weekend, we put on a 24-hour dance marathon to celebrate our hard work and dance for the kids who can’t. Clearly, that is a large task that requires a lot of hard work from everyone involved. That’s why I wanted to shed a light on all of the dedication my Morale Director, Callie, has for this organization!
Photo courtesy of DemonThon
Callie Rafferty is a sophomore at DePaul University and is on the Core Committee of DemonTHON as the Morale Director. She oversees the decisions that Morale Captains make in planning the Big Event. Take a look at what Callie had to say about her position on the committee:
What first got you interested in DemonTHON?
I first got interested in DemonTHON simply because I love to dance and the idea of dancing for 24 hours sounded amazing, but it ended up being much more that that. In high school, I tried to find a club or community that I could feel a part of and never did. But through DemonTHON, I have gained lifelong friendships and our cause motivates me to work harder when I would normally quit.
What does a typical week look like for you as a Morale Director?
As Morale Director, my main focus is running the Morale meetings and planning the agenda. I communicate with almost everyone on the Committee at some point, especially the Morale Captains! I love this position because I get to know the Morale Captains better than anyone on the Committee, they are awesome! I am always meeting with people, answering emails, and creating spreadsheets. For the past couple of months, I have been creating the Morale Mix and Dance, and that has been a blast!
Photo courtesy of DemonThon
What was something you were not expecting with your position on the Core Committee?
Something unexpected about this position is how much attention to detail it requires. I am managing a team and we are all basically event planning on a $0 budget, so being resourceful is key. There are small details that I cannot forget in planning times, logistics, and solutions to problems. Also, being a leader is more rewarding than I expected. I knew it would be hard to communicate with 25 people and make sure everyone is on the same page, but I love being able to have an impact on someone’s life in a more direct way.
Where do you see yourself going with your current leadership experience?
With my current leadership experience, I have grown immensely and learned a lot about communication. Because of this role I have learned my strengths and weaknesses and how they can be used in the workplace. I have no clue what my career path is going to be, but I know I want to work with a team of people because of this position, and I definitely want to be involved in DemonTHON again!
Lastly, what has been your favorite memory from DemonTHON as a whole?
My favorite memory from DemonTHON is (obviously) the big event. Last year, I had no idea what to expect, but it turned out to be the most exciting 24 hours of my life. Power Hour at the end is the peak because the adrenaline is going and you are surrounded by your best friends. Also, when the number of the total amount fundraisered pops up on the screen, it makes every struggle throughout the year worth it.