The Volunteer View

Auction Committee Co-Chairs Kim Murphy and Karie Underwood

The parking lot is empty, the office is dark, and my footsteps echo across the empty hallways. It is strangely quiet at Issaquah Valley Elementary School as this intrepid reporter goes searching for PTA volunteers. I am past deadline for the new monthly column “The Volunteer View ” for the Cougar Tracks PTA newsletter. Somehow, I lost track of time and realize it is Winter Break and I am in search of IVE volunteers – any volunteer. I am about to go home and drink some eggnog, when I hear voices coming from the workroom. I head in the direction of the voices and immediately realize that some volunteers are not on break but are hard at work in support of our students and school. Kim Murphy and Karie Underwood, co-chairs of the IVE Wine and Cheese Social and Auction, agreed to to an interview.

Reporter: Thank you for stepping up to co-chair auction at IVE. Why did you agree to lead this large and important event?
Kim and Karie: We were interested in supporting our children and their school, and we felt that technology development would enhance their educations.

Reporter: How many people are working with you on the auction and how often do you meet?
Kim and Karie: We have a core team of volunteers working on Class Projects, Class Baskets, Procurement, Facilities, Staff Experiences, and in various other positions. In January we will start meeting weekly until the auction date.

Reporter: Did you know each other before this project?
Kim and Karie: Yes, we worked together on the Walk-a-thon last year.

Reporter: Can you tell us a little about your families?
Kim and Karie: We are both married with 2 boys. Karie: My oldest, Joey, is in Mrs. Burton’s 2nd grade class and I also have a 4 year old, Charlie, in a local Montessori. Kim: Josh is in Mr. Arthur’s 5th grade class, and Jake is in Mrs. Churchill’s 1st grade class.

Reporter: Can you share a little about either your current or previous work experience -include anything that might have helped prepare you for this event?
Kim and Karie: We both have had jobs that required us to have strong communication and leadership skills. These tools are coming in handy!

Reporter:What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Karie: games, skiing, boating or ice skating with family& friends.
Kim: Reading, bunco, skiing, chauffeuring the kids to their activities.

Reporter: Name one thing that most people would be surprised to learn about you.
Karie: I work full time from my home as a recruiter, but my real passion is teaching: kickboxing, Pilates, skiing, horse back riding…whatever.
Kim: I was a drug pusher in a former life. Calm down, I was in pharmaceutical sales.

Thanks to Kim Murphy and Karie Underwood for taking the time to give this reporter the scoop on their busy lives. We appreciate all your efforts on behalf of IVE and our students.