People who manage or volunteer at community centres are a special kind of human… You could say, they're super-humans. Their super power? Multiplying the little time and resources they have and turning them into programmes, activities and all-round support for their communities.
Jacquie Happ is one of these super-humans. Besides being the Cultural Development Officer for the City of Busselton in WA, she chairs the Dunsborough and Districts Progress Association and helps manage the family's honey and pottery businesses.
Jacquie Happ, awarded Australia Day WA Community Citizen of the Year Award for Dunsborough
The most super part of these super-humans is their heart for the people in their community. "I love being a part of the community where you see the smiles of children, and young or old people, enjoying what it is that has been created or put on," says Jacquie. "The effort is definitely worthwhile when you see people connecting. It brings a smile to my own face and feelings!"
But these super-humans aren't….superhuman. They're all people in the end with a limited amount of physical, mental and emotional energy. So what happens when 'giving back' actually takes away from one's personal and professional life? In Jacquie's case, more demand for the Dunsborough and Districts hall combined with the increase in ways to book the space made for a challenging and often mentally draining job. Not only was the threat of double booking high, but the risk of letting people down weighed heavily on Jacquie.
At SpacetoCo, we offer the gift of time by freeing up unnecessary inefficiencies from manual bookings, and Jacquie took up the offer. "…not having to answer emails, texts or messages on Facebook and take phone calls has been very freeing." Jacquie says, "I think this (software) is wonderful for managing community spaces and I definitely would recommend it to anyone who wants less stress and more personal time in their day!"
And what does she do with these extra hours? "I'm spending more time on other community projects… whoops!" confesses Jacquie. But more importantly, it's given her time to fill up her own personal cup. "Maybe I water the plants more regularly or ride my bike to work!" she says.
It's important that we look after those who look after us. In the end, the people who serve our communities usually don't do it for personal gain or fame - they do it for love. "I like to think that giving gives back," says Jacquie. "If you give your time or of yourself, you will always receive more back... and maybe not the way you think!" We're happy to partner with Jacquie and other amazing hosts to give them a little more time, whether they give it back to their communities or receive it for their own self-care.
A massive thank you to Jacquie for sharing her story! Want to hear more from her? She spoke at our Community Venue Learning Series in October 2022 - check out the snippets of her wonderful insights about community building and Dunsborough, and click the button below to watch the full session!
Who is Jacquie Happ?
Jacquie Happ is the Cultural Development Officer for the City of Busselton in WA. She also chairs the Dunsborough and Districts Progress Association and helps run her family's honey and pottery businesses.
What challenge was Jacquie facing before using SpacetoCo?
Growing demand for the Dunsborough and Districts hall, combined with more ways for people to try and book it, meant a high risk of double bookings and constant manual admin - emails, texts, phone calls - all falling on Jacquie.
How did SpacetoCo help Jacquie?
SpacetoCo automated the manual side of managing bookings for the Dunsborough hall, cutting out repetitive emails, texts, and phone calls, and freeing up hours Jacquie previously spent chasing and confirming bookings by hand.
What does Jacquie do with the time she's gotten back?
She's put some of it into other community projects around Dunsborough, and some of it into herself - simple things like watering her plants or riding her bike to work.
Where can I hear more from Jacquie Happ?
Jacquie spoke at SpacetoCo's Community Venue Learning Series in October 2022, sharing more on community building and her work with the Dunsborough and Districts Progress Association.
Is SpacetoCo only for community halls in Western Australia?
No. SpacetoCo supports community venues across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, helping hosts move bookings online and reduce manual admin.