Student Disability Center coordinator Keltie Jones has been an active volunteer since joining the community in 1988. That year, she began volunteering with the Girl Scouts, first as a troop leader and later as service unit manager, supervising more than 100 other volunteers.

Last year she was named the recipient of UC Davis Human Corps' inaugural Outstanding Staff Member Award -- the first time honors were designated specifically for a campus staff member. She had volunteered more than 715 hours of service during the year.

Jones spends less time with Girl Scouts these days in order to manage her other commitments -- as a board member for the Davis Joint Unified School District and for the regional diversity-awareness group the Capital Unity Council.

How did you start volunteering?

I had just moved to town out of college and I was tired of spending time with people aged 18-25. I decided I wanted to work with kids so I volunteered to start a Girl Scout troop.

Why is your work important to you?

The common theme among my activities is children. I really believe children are the future, and the more we can do to ensure that they all have access to these programs, the better the world we'll have.

What's an experience you've had volunteering that stands out as a highlight?

I'm the only openly gay public official in the city of Davis and I've had several young people approach me and tell me how much it means to them that I'm just being who I am. It shows them there really is a place in this world for everyone.