Our Purpose
Our purpose is to inspire a more engaged community by helping people find their purpose and act on it.
Our Vision
Our vision is to transform the world by cultivating volunteers and enabling leaders in the South Plains.
Our Mission
Our mission is to connect, empower, and transform the community through purposeful volunteerism and leadership development.
The Volunteer Center of Lubbock was first established in 1990 to connect volunteers with community needs and to provide nonprofit management assistance to area nonprofit organizations. When you ask us what we do, we will tell you we are in the business of community engagement. When you ask us why, we will tell you that we believe a more engaged community has the potential to transform the world. Our work is made possible due to our history of strong collaborative partnerships. We strive to keep a close relationship with our 100+ Agency Partners in order to build a culture of service throughout the South Plains. Beyond that, we strive to develop the next generation of leaders through our partnerships with 40 area middle and high schools, as well as through service and leadership programming specifically geared towards youth and young professionals.
We are committed to developing high performing teams in all areas of our community, whether for profit, nonprofit, or otherwise. We also work to obtain and sustain partnerships with local organizations and businesses in an effort to help the entire community grow and flourish. We are affiliated with the Lubbock Area United Way, Texas Association of Volunteer Centers, Nonprofit Management Association of Texas, Board Source, and Hands On Network. These collaborations provide wide access to information and resources dealing with volunteerism and nonprofit management. In 2020, the Volunteer Center of Lubbock provided services to over 50,000 people across the South Plains.
Our Team
![Sharon Hyde Bass](https://www.volunteerlubbock.org/wp-content/uploads/4-3.png)
Sharon Hyde Bass
Sharon has the joy of overseeing all programs and services of the Volunteer Center’s community engagement business. Her delight is in seeing people with a desire to help being connected with opportunities that need what they have to offer. Her personal mission of facilitating, encouraging, and supporting people in maximizing their uniqueness to change the world has been an ideal fit with the Volunteer Center’s purpose. Her roles include enterprise strategy and alignment, program development, staff development, and relationship building. She also provides training, facilitation, and consultation on a wide range of topics. She has a BS in Elementary Education from UT-Austin and a MS in Human Development from TTU.
Sharon has volunteered extensively. Currently, she serves on the TTU Center for Public Service Advisory Board, and the Junior League of Lubbock Advisory Board. She has been honored with the YWCA Woman of Excellence Award (2010), the Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Professional Fundraiser Award (2013), the Women in Communications George Mahon Award (with Byrnie – 2014), the Rita Harmon United Way Award (with Byrnie – 2015), and the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Connect Award (2016).
Besides cooking, Sharon enjoys reading, gardening, eating yummy foods (at places near and far) and spending time with family and friends.
![Emily Smith](https://www.volunteerlubbock.org/wp-content/uploads/9-1.png)
Emily Smith
![Kayla Thrasher](https://www.volunteerlubbock.org/wp-content/uploads/Staff-Photos.png)
Kayla Thrasher
Kayla was born and raised in Lubbock. After graduating from Coronado High School, she went on to get her degree at Texas Tech University. There she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Electronic Media and Communication. Kayla started as an intern at the Volunteer Center, and now works full time doing all things communications and operations. As a Lubbock native, she is excited to give back to the city and help it thrive.
In her down time, Kayla enjoys traveling and all things outdoors with her husband, Brandt, and her dog, Colt.
![Hanne-Lise Parker](https://www.volunteerlubbock.org/wp-content/uploads/11-1.jpg)
Hanne-Lise Parker
Hanne-Lise grew up in Austin & came to Lubbock after highschool to attend Texas Tech University. She has deep roots in West Texas. Her Great Grandfather, Dr. M.C. Overton moved to Lubbock in 1901 - where he would be one of the first physicians in the area. She met her husband Jay & they moved a couple times before returning to Lubbock in 2010 and made Lubbock their forever home. Since then she's been involved in several volunteer programs including The Junior League of Lubbock and National Charity League. PTA is a BIG passion of Hanne-Lise & she has served in many roles including President of all three schools that her kiddos have attended. When she's not at work you will find her cheering on her daughter and son from the stands, rooting for the Red Raiders or sitting on a beach!
![Max Kinser](https://www.volunteerlubbock.org/wp-content/uploads/12-1.jpg)
Max Kinser
Max was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas. He graduated from Coronado High School in 2023, and just finished his freshman year at the University of Texas at Austin. He is studying Journalism, and is a media intern at the Volunteer Center for the summer. He loves getting to work close to volunteering and telling amazing stories from the community.
Max loves hanging out with friends, playing basketball, and music.
![Lacy Off](https://www.volunteerlubbock.org/wp-content/uploads/10-1.jpg)
Lacy Off
Lacy is originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico and moved to Lubbock in 2019 to attend Texas Tech University. Lacy started as an intern at the Volunteer Center and is now a Non-Profit Fellow.
Lacy graduated in May 2023 with a degree in Sociology & Criminology from Texas Tech University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Youth Development. Lacy loves being able to help connect people to organizations that give them a meaningful way to improve their community.
Lacy enjoys reading, watching movies, crafting, walking, and spending time with her dog, Peanut.
![Noah McClure](https://www.volunteerlubbock.org/wp-content/uploads/Noah-McClure.png)
Noah McClure
Noah was born and raised in Lubbock. A recent graduate of Monterey High School, Noah will attend Texas A&M University in the Fall 2024, majoring in Engineering. Noah's involvement with the Volunteer Center began during a holiday volunteering event in 2019 and expanded when invited to participate in the Volunteer Center's HYPE program. Once connected with the Volunteer Center, Noah joined Youth For Impact and served as a Youth Board Member for the 2023-24 school year. Noah was welcomed to the Volunteer Center team in the Summer 2024 as a non-profit fellow, and his heart for service guides efforts in pointing community members to volunteering and selfless service.
While away from the office, Noah likes hanging out with friends, traveling, creating things, and spending time with family, including his dog, Moya.
Our Board of Directors
Brandi Price
Atmos Energy
President
Wyatt Leavell
Victory Bank
Past President
Cory Powell
TTU Office of Campus Access & Engagement
Vice President
Jon Mark Bernal
TTU Student Union & Activities
Treasurer