David Barnes received the Volunteer of the Year award at the annual Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce dinner on Oct. 22. The award is given to those who donate a significant amount of time and energy to the chamber.
The chamber has 1,100 members to serve with eight staff members and "is fortunate to have" 400 members who, like Barnes, volunteer with different initiatives and expand the mission, said David Ross, Chamber president.
"It couldn't be done without having volunteers like David leading the way," Ross said.
Barnes is a treasury management and payments consultant at U.S. Bank and the co-chair for the Chamber's Leadership Duluth initiative.
"He has been a strong leader for the Leadership Duluth initiative. He went through the program in 2007 and since then serving on the steering committee and most recently, co-chairing that initiative as well. We've been fortunate to have him in these past seven years in that role," Ross said.
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Leadership Duluth is a program which inspires and equips aspiring leaders to serve the community through a series of educational and hands-on opportunities.
"It's basically a group of local business people that go through the 10-month program, one day each month. They're exposed to all different areas of Duluth through different themed days like a culture and heritage day, community and human services, courts and law day and health care day," Barnes said.
Barnes usually sets up the community and human services day for the program because he also volunteers as the treasurer for the Life House board.
"I've been on the board of directors there for about four years. It's an amazing organization. I think it's so much worth my time," Barnes said. "Being a banker, the treasurer position almost ends up in being yours by default, but I do enjoy my work over there."
Barnes was preparing for the community and human services day on Nov. 12 when the Budgeteer contacted him.
"Part of that day is putting together a community service project. So everybody breaks into groups and picks an organization and helps do some project for them," Barnes said.
The service projects can be simple, such as helping with data entry at Life House or larger tasks such as planning the Boys and Girls annual fundraiser gala.
"Two years ago we worked on the big Human Development Center supply drive. That was one example where they filled up several trailers full of blankets, sleeping bags, clothing, food. All these things for the local homeless population that the HDC could pass out to people," Barnes said.
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In addition to serving on the Leadership Duluth Steering Committee, Barnes is also an integral part of the annual Chamber Golf Classic.
"Instead of golfing at it, I like help out. Usually I'm there for about 12 hours that day. Sometimes I'm bringing golfers back to a restroom, I'm bringing hole sponsors gear or supplies. Nothing exciting, just driving around and helping people where they need it," Barnes said.
"He makes it a more enjoyable event because of his involvement," Ross said. "David is a popular individual who brings energy, insight and talent to each of his volunteer experiences at the Chamber."
When he isn't volunteering, Barnes can be found spending time with his wife Jenifer, two children, dog and four cats. He is also finishing up his Master of Business Administration at the University of Minnesota Duluth and is set to graduate this spring.
