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Wingfield Steps Down from Long Time Volunteer Role in Indy
Written By: Robin Clark - Sports Information Director for the Starz Diving Club
John V. Wingfield, resigned from the position of Volunteer Executive Director for the Starz Diving Club. John founded and served the Starz organization beginning August 2000 and resigned at fiscal years end September 30, 2006. “The Vision, Mission, Strategic Business Plan, Finances, and Staffing of the organization are in place; “I am confident in the future leadership and have been honored to serve in a volunteer capacity over the past 6 years.â€
Wingfield is not a stranger to Volunteerism. “Since my graduation with my 1st Bachelors Degree in 1985 I have volunteered 150 hours of personal time each year to non-profit organizations.†Wingfield served as an American Red Cross volunteer by teaching Health and Safety Courses such as Lifeguarding, Water Safety, First Aid and CPR through the late 80’s and early 90’s. “I have been a Red Cross Volunteer for nearly 30 years, my favorite course was always learn to swim, a life skill.â€
Much of Winfield’s teaching was during his tenure in The School Of Physical Education at Ball State University where he served as the Director of Aquatics, Instructor of Physical Education and Diving Coach from 1988-1998.
John also served his current employer USA Diving, a non-profit organization, prior to his employment by volunteering his time to the Board of Directors as the Vice President for Senior Diving form 1996-1998. “I had to balance my volunteer time between the Red Cross and USA Diving after I was elected to the Board as the Senior VP which was a time demanding position, I eventually dedicated my annual l50 hours primarily to that Boardâ€.
When John was hired by USA Diving to head up the Training Center Movement, he had to resign from the position of Senior VP to accept employment within the organization. However volunteering was just around the corner again, this time with the YMCA of the USA. “I was asked by the YMCA to be a part of a committee to do a book project.â€
What a project it was in a little less than two years the committee completely revamped that Progressive Swimming Lesson Program as well as the Lifeguarding program. The project set forth six textbooks and 4 two hour video tapes. “The YMCA project was one of the most rewarding volunteer projects that I was ever a part of, the production of the video tapes was the most interesting.â€
The next non-profit volunteer vision for Wingfield was the Indianapolis Stars Diving Club, Inc., widely known as the STARZ. “The vision was quite simple, the Indianapolis area was blessed with unbelievable swimming and diving facilities, from community pools with platforms to high schools with 3 meters and separate diving wellsâ€. Wingfield suggests that it was the influence of the well known Indiana University swimming and diving duo of Counsilman and Billingsley that precipitated such community and scholastic facilities to be built. “These guys were great and giving, after all the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis could have been built on the IU Campus but these guys delivered the funds to the Indianapolis campus in an effort to create a facility like none other, that would host National Events in a major city close to transportation, hotels, and eatery’sâ€.
The Starz organization simply had to be developed to make use of the fabulous facilities, so I devoted my annual 150 to develop it. The additional benefit which was also in line with the mission of the USA Diving Training Center concept was that of a feeder system to the training center and a significant opportunity for talent identification. “The mission statement of the Starz is simple and clear, Bring Diving to the Community.†The organization has done just that. With more than 20 programs offered throughout the State of Indiana and serving an average of 350 student athletes each year, the Starz is one of the largest diving programs in the nation.
The operations of the Starz are maintained by a strategic business plan that Wingfield wrote with the enlistment of a group of five friends who are Indianapolis community business leaders, also with a commitment to volunteerism. The skills of these five leaders, who include an accountant, lawyer, insurance executive, mom and school principal, allowed for a diverse viewpoint that produced an incredibly sound business and operating plan for the Starz non-profit organization. “I cannot thank them enough for their insight and time. Amateurs work to get it right, professionals work until they cannot get it wrong, and these folks are professionals.â€
The rewarding part for Wingfield has not only been his relationship with the Fab Five business group, but with the Starz coaches and athletes and their personal and individual successes over the past 6 years. “The corporation is successful because of the leadership and the remaining leadership is strong and in place at the administrative, coaching and athlete levels. The flywheel has only started to turn, I only see it picking up momentum from here!â€
However, Wingfield states that it is not without regret “unfortunately, political pressures and misconceptions nationally have brought me to this point of resignation and the feeling that I must divest myself of the Starz organization.†John looks forward to watching the continued success of the Starz organization under the new Executive Director, Sean McCarthy. “Sean and the board have what it takes to execute the strategic plan, keep your eyes on the Starz!â€
What is next for Wingfield? “Wenbo Chen and I have a full plate with the USA Diving National Training Center duties, you cannot control the wind but you can adjust your sails, I will invest my annual 150 wisely.â€
Posted 1-18-07 |
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