David Cline
David Cline, an Extension specialist in aquatic resources at Auburn University, is one of 125 volunteers recently awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award is a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service by Winrock International.
Cline contributed 144 hours of volunteer service on international assignments for Winrock’s U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Program in Nepal.
Cline, along with fellow Auburn resident David Rouse, assisted the Agriculture and Forestry University in Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal, in developing an improved aquaculture and fisheries curriculum for students.
Volunteers such as Cline find these assignments to be personally and professionally rewarding. Helping people help themselves is a contribution that makes sense. He demonstrates how local citizens can truly make a difference in today’s world.
“We have more in common with people around the world than we think. Everyone desires the opportunity to make a living, have a nutritious and safe food supply and connect with others in the community, whether across town or across the globe,” Cline said.
“This journey was extremely satisfying and a life changing experience. We were happy to be able to complete our mission, despite the shocking earthquake. Recovering from the earthquake will require time and tremendous effort but the people of Nepal are resilient and if others step forward to volunteer it will make the process go that much faster,” he added.
“Volunteerism is a core American value. It connects us to our neighbors, whether they are local or global, and gives us an opportunity to use our skills for a greater good,” said DeAnn McGrew, director of Agriculture and Volunteer Programs at Winrock.
As a certifying organization for the award program, Winrock International is proud to be aligned with this prestigious volunteer award, and is especially proud of our volunteers who have made volunteer service a central part of their lives.”
The award, established in 2003, is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President Bush to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers make to the nation. The Council is comprised of leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofits, volunteer service organizations and community volunteering. The award is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering.
Winrock has a long history of international volunteer service. More than 200 volunteers have performed volunteer service each year on behalf of the organization.
For more information about volunteering for Winrock International, visit www.winrock.org/volunteer.
For more information about qualifications for the President’s Volunteer Service Award and how to identify additional volunteer opportunities in this area, visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.
