2007年VOA标准英语-Army of Volunteers Backs International Folk Art

By Zulima Palacio
Santa Fe, New Mexico
07 August 2007
 

How do you organize an international event that attracts nearly 20,000 people with just five staff members and a limited budget?  Well, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, they found the answer: invite an army of volunteers, organize them well and have a successful event that keeps growing every year.  Producer Zulima Palacio has the story.  Mil Arcega narrates¹ it.

More than 17,000 people came to shop at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market this year; many lined up hours before the market opened.

Welcome to the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  This year was its fourth consecutive², with artists from 40 countries attracting nearly 20,000 visitors. Sales for the three-day event in July totaled more than $1 million.

Behind the market's success are all of those red T-shirts with "Volunteer" written across them. 

Valerie Baugh is the coordinator³ for the volunteers. "Within the market there are five paid staff members and that's all, everybody else is a volunteer."

Volunteers recruit⁴ artists from around the world. They help fill out applications, resolve⁵ quality and design issues and offer assistance⁶ on how to show and price products.  Many volunteers even open their homes to artists needing a place to stay.  With their time and actions, volunteers have touched the lives of hundreds of families.

Judith Espinard

Judith Espinard was one of the founders⁷ of the International Folk Art Market.  She is now its creative director. "I know now that the work of the world is in the hands of the individuals not the governments.  This is our great hope and we want many more people to do this kind of work in whatever form they feel that they can contribute."

This year the International Folk Art Market had a small army of 720 volunteers, including 70 who work year around.  Most are over 50, but this year there also were a number of younger volunteers. Many volunteers are former members of the Peace Corps⁸, and some travel from across the United States to be in Santa Fe during the few days when the market takes place.

"We are trying to inspire organizations around the world that are working in economic and social development in the craft⁹ and folk art media to do similar markets," said Espinard.

Valarie Baugh, coordinator for volunteers

The international market is fun and people from all backgrounds and ages enjoy it.  Many volunteers return year after year.

Harriet Christian¹⁰ is one of them, and for the second straight year she brought her family with her. "I have gone home and told my family, my other daughter from San Antonio, I brought two grand daughters from Austin and they all worked here yesterday, all of them as volunteers.  Five of us; and next year I may bring more people."

The International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe would not be possible without the volunteers, their time and sense of service.  For many of these international folk artists the market and its army of volunteers have opened a new world of possibilities and income.

1 narrates   

v.故事( narrate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• It narrates the unconstitutional acts of James II. 它历数了詹姆斯二世的违法行为。 来自辞典例句
• Chapter three narrates the economy activity which Jew return the Occident. 第三章讲述了犹太人重返西欧后的经济活动。 来自互联网

2 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

3 coordinator   

n.协调人

参考例句：

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, headed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, coordinates all UN emergency relief. 联合国人道主义事务协调厅在紧急救济协调员领导下，负责协调联合国的所有紧急救济工作。
• How am I supposed to find the client-relations coordinator? 我怎么才能找到客户关系协调员的办公室？

4 recruit   

n.招聘，新兵，新成员；v.恢复，补充，招募

参考例句：

• The country's first act would be to recruit for the navy.国家的第一个行动是为海军征募新兵。
• This is a nationwide campaign to recruit women into trade unions.这是一次吸收妇女参加工会的全国性运动。

5 resolve   

vt.解决，解除；决定，决心

参考例句：

• It's up to him to resolve this problem.这个问题应由他来解决。
• This did not shake his resolve.这事并未动摇他的决心。

6 assistance   

n.援助，帮助

参考例句：

• She called and called but no one came to her assistance.她叫了又叫，但没有人来帮。
• He will get the great possible assistance.他将获得尽可能大的帮助。

7 founders   

n.创始人( founder的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• He was one of the founders of the university's medical faculty. 他是该大学医学院的创建人之一。 来自辞典例句
• The founders of our religion made this a cornerstone of morality. 我们宗教的创始人把这看作是道德的基石。 来自辞典例句

8 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

9 craft   

n.工艺，手艺；小船，飞机；行业；诡计

参考例句：

• The harbour was full of pleasure craft.港口满是游艇。
• He's a master of his craft.他有一手好手艺。

10 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。