Starting a Chapter Spreads Joy

Amelia W., Desert Hills High School Chapter President, discusses the challenges and meaningful outcomes of starting a GlamourGals chapter at her high school.

I was inspired to start a GlamourGals chapter by a feature of Rachel Doyle on the television series, “Making Good.” The episode had culminated in a Glamour Ball for the elderly, and I witnessed how touching this event was for both the volunteers and the seniors in the way that their eyes had lit up in conversation; I wanted to have the same impact! Some of my most formative leadership experiences have come from growing a GlamourGals chapter. This has involved reaching out to the national GlamourGals organization; networking with our local senior-home community; building relationships of trust with care facility administrators, staff, and residents; obtaining formal permission to operate officially as a club at Desert Hills High School; sourcing high school chapter officers and a chapter advisor; running a recruitment booth at Club Rush; orienting, training, and empowering new GlamourGals volunteers; and collaborating with our team to plan service projects such as a Queen of Hearts Tea Party––among other regular card-making and manicure activities. 

The process of starting our local GlamourGals chapter has been, by far, the most meaningful service experience of mine. Not only will it have the most measurable and lasting impact, but the lessons learned and the joy I have felt have been the greatest. The first time I saw a lonely elderly woman’s eyes light up as she was able to connect with someone other than an employee was the moment I realized that this was a connection I needed to continue to make.