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Rain-soaked TEAM Buzz still successful Over 1000 students, faculty, and alumni come out for the campus-wide community service day By Chris Baucom News Staff ATLANTA November 20, 1998
 On the morning of November 14, TEAM Buzz once again united students, alumni, faculty, and staff to serve the Atlanta community. The day began with a kickoff rally in the Textiles building, which included comments by President G. Wayne Clough. Well over 1,000 volunteers then fanned out across Atlanta to work on various service projects.
Signing up was quick and painless since students were able to register for projects via the Internet. Detailed descriptions of each event were also listed on the Web. Many campus organizations sent groups of students to work on a specific project, while some individuals chose to sign up on their own. Either way, a diverse group of Tech students turned out for Saturday's philanthropic effort.
"There's more to Georgia Tech than just the academics," said Caroline Freeman, Chairman of the TEAM Buzz Student Involvement Committee. "We have a great academic reputation, but I think everybody in the community needs something that's outside the classroom. I think this is the perfect opportunity to not only get to know other people better, but also to do something very worthwhile, and Atlanta has ample opportunity for community service."
Organizers' current estimate places around 1,400 total volunteers at this event, which represents a 20 percent increase over last year's count. Freeman attributes this success to improved communication and marketing.
The effects of TEAM Buzz were felt as far away as Texas, where a group of Tech alumni held their own community service day in conjunction with the one in Atlanta. Even student athletes contributed time and energy to the cause.
"Not many schools can say they have their football players planting trees on Saturday during football season," said Freeman. "We had about 100 participants from the AA."
Getting over a thousand people to the right place at the right time can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare, especially when unexpected circumstances arise. A few projects had to be cancelled altogether because of the inclement weather.
"We've been planning since last winter, and then when you come down and you have weather problems like we had, you just have to make do and shift as best you can the day of the event," said Freeman. Despite some last minute shuffling, everyone was sent where they were needed, and Tech's manpower was used quite efficiently overall.
Although there was a slight increase in faculty volunteers over last year, the TEAM Buzz Steering Committee would like to see more faculty and staff participation in the future. Those who came out had nothing but praise for the day.
"I was truly inspired by seeing, in action, two adages come to life: one person can make a difference, and to rest is to rust," said Billiee Pendleton-Parker, Assitant Director of the CETL.
"I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of TEAM Buzz, and was impressed with the sheer number of volunteers," added HPS Professor Bill Beavers.
One of the Steering Committee's long-term goals is to increase alumni participation. Amanda Martin, Chairman of the Alumni Involvement Committee, feels that continued publicity will be instrumental in developing alumni awareness and support. Even if alumni do not get involved right away, each year they will receive additional exposure to TEAM Buzz and be more likely to volunteer.
Faculty Involvement Chairman Patrick O'Donnell concluded, "I am very proud of our whole Tech community coming together to help our city and affect the lives of so many people."
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Copyright © 1998 by Gregory S. Scherrer, Editor and by the Student Publications Board
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