Spotlight’s On: Debbie Bingham

an interview with Debbie Bingham, Volunteer Program Supervisor

BCP has many departments and hundreds of employees. Do you know the function of each department? Or the role of many of our staff members? Each month, we’ll spotlight a staff member or department. This month we’d like to introduce you to BCP’s Volunteer Program Supervisor, Debbie Bingham.

What’s your job title? And what do you do? I am the Volunteer Program Supervisor for BCP and I’m in charge of scheduling more than 80 volunteers for six of our centers and mobiles. I also schedule volunteers to work in various departments to provide clerical assistance. In addition, I am responsible for coordinating volunteers for Donor Recruitment’s mobile fairs and recruiting assignments.

Describe your typical day at the Irwin Center. A typical day finds me scheduling and placing volunteers throughout our centers. It is my responsibility to be sure that volunteers are available for jobs such as staffing the canteen, providing clerical support for departments, and completing tasks needed to help make the centers run smoothly. You can also find me planning and decorating for Volunteer Appreciation Week and our annual Volunteer Recognition Tea Luncheon. If at the last minute a replacement volunteer is needed, you may also find me out at a mobile or wherever needed.

What do you like best/most about your job? Not only do I enjoy my volunteers, but my fellow coworkers as well. My job has allowed me to be creative and show my “Martha Stewart” side by helping the Party Committee decorate and plan for many different occasions such as holidays, picnics, potlucks, and social gatherings. But most of all, I enjoy working with a group of volunteers who are willing to provide their time and share in the desire to make BCP the best it can be!

What are the challenges, if any? How do you overcome them? The biggest challenge of my job is being able to provide 100 percent volunteer coverage at all centers at all times. Just when I think I have everything under control, I will receive a phone call or email advising that a volunteer can no longer provide their services, therefore, creating a challenge, AGAIN!

Anything else you’d like to add? During the duration of my 28 years with BCP, I have given more than 100 blood donations. BCP has been a huge part not only of my life, but my family life as well. My family members have become devoted blood donors and I have had the privilege of scheduling my daughters as volunteers during their high school years. Now that I am a grandmother, I look forward to passing on the tradition of volunteering to my grandchildren and teaching them the importance of blood donation. Any willing volunteers?

Spotlight’s On: Andy Gonia

an interview with Andy Gonia from Redwood City Blood Center

BCP has many departments and hundreds of employees. Do you know the function of each department? Or the role of many of our staff members? Each month, we’ll spotlight a staff member or department. Last month we interviewed Denise Sobiek, Napa Center’s Head Nurse/Supervisor. This month, we’d like to introduce you to Andy Gonia!

What’s your job title? And what do you do? My current title is Administrative Assistant II and I am responsible for registering each donor who comes to the Redwood City Center.

Describe your typical day at the Redwood City Center. A typical morning for me begins with printing out the daily appointment schedule for the center, checking voicemails from the night or weekend before, as well as updating the donor eligibility calendar and setting up the reaction tray. I also try to sneak in a cup of coffee somewhere in there also. During the day, I am in charge of the storeroom, stocking the canteen, registering donors, and answering the phones.

What do you like best/most about your job? I think the best part of my job is being able to greet the donor as they walk in the door. Being able to see our regular donors and meet new donors really makes the time pass. Getting to know them and their stories is really interesting.

What are the challenges, if any? How do you overcome them? I would say the biggest challenge is the multitude of questions I am asked on the phones. From lost donors looking for directions, to callers asking if we pay for blood and virtually anything else you can think of. I try to find out as much about other aspects of this company so that I can provide the correct answer for all of the questions I am asked.

How long have you worked at BCP? I’ve worked at BCP for over seven years. I started as a Mobile Technician in July of 2002 and also worked as a Hospital Services Driver for a couple of years. I am lucky enough to have been close to every aspect of the blood donation experience. I’ve worked closely with employees in the transportation department, donor collections department, components lab, the reference lab, and the dispensing lab.

Anything else to add? Before I worked here, I never gave too much thought about how hospitals received their blood or the steps involved to process someone’s blood to turn it into a life-saving component. Knowing the work that is involved and meeting the wonderful people who commit their time and donate their blood is a rewarding experience.

Thank you Andy. Keep up the good work!