It takes a special kind of person to be successful in today’s volunteer programs and RSVP has three very special people on staff to help with your volunteering experience:
Traci Pondick
RSVP Director
tpondick@etowahcounty.org
Traci and her family, husband Marc & son Thomas, live in Rainbow City. Marc is the owner/operator of Sutton Bridge Exxon, and Thomas is a manager at Lowe’s in Trussville.
Traci started out as the RSVP Secretary and, with on-the-job training from then-director Jan Kelly, made the transition to Director when Jan retired. Mrs. Pondick began her RSVP career in January, 2006. Traci is available for presentations to your organization or group about the benefits of volunteering with or partnering with RSVP. She also is responsible for reporting to the federal and state governments all of the volunteer activity performed by RSVP volunteers and what is accomplished through area agencies with this volunteer help.
Faye Russell
Volunteer Coordinator/Van Driver
frussell@etowahcounty.org
Faye and her husband, Tommy, live in downtown Gadsden.
Faye has been employed with RSVP since September, 2005. Mrs. Russell drives the RSVP van every weekday for the Friendly Nursing Home Visitors, transporting volunteers to area assisted living homes and nursing homes so they can help with activities. Faye also calls current volunteers to help fill the needs of our partnering agencies, helps with varying assignments, transports volunteers to special activities, oversees our Tele-Chek program and the Courthouse Information Desk volunteers, and handles the RSVP quarterly mail-outs to volunteers and partner agencies.
Jan Kelley
Administrative Secretary
jkelley@etowahcounty.org
Mrs. Kelley returned to RSVP as a part time employee after four years of retirement life, saying she ran out of ‘nothing’ to do. In that she is familiar with the ins and outs of the program, she makes for a knowledgeable staff member in the office, but sometimes her brain goes into freeze mode. Currently, her duties are to oversee the daily clerical operation of RSVP, and keeping up with volunteer information through a software program called Volunteer Reporter, plus file information. Jan also orders and receives supplies, records volunteer hours, mileage reimbursement, keeps up with office mail, any changes in volunteer statistics, and other miscellaneous duties as assigned. Volunteers have more than likely received a phone call from Mrs. Kelley on your birthday!
You can contact our office by phone (256.549.8147), mail (800 Forrest Avenue, Room 219, Gadsden, AL 35901) or by emailing us at the addresses shown above.
