A SHARE-D Vision: SHARE coordinators Sheryl Kaplan and Erin Billingsley encourage SM East students to volunteer

Every morning, to the right of the fourth-floor staircase, SHARE coordinators Sheyl Kaplan and Erin Billingsley are found either deep in a conversation discussing the next service project, organizing volunteers or brainstorming new ideas to get more students involved. 

Kaplan and Billingsley have been working together as SHARE coordinators for four years now. They encourage students to get involved in SHARE, a volunteer nonprofit organization. 

“SHARE is fun,” Billingsley said. "It's low stakes and a way of getting out and doing something for other people, which I think is important.”

The two graduated from SM East and sent their kids to the school too. Both of them were familiar with the SHARE program for years before being coordinators. They enjoy working with an organization they're passionate about. 

Kaplan worked in special education for the district 30 years ago and now uses her teaching background to lead and co-direct SHARE. Billingsley returned to the school to work for SHARE simply because she was interested and wanted to get involved.

Both Kaplan and Billingsley contribute to SHARE by distributing tasks evenly. Kaplan can be found focusing more on the freshman connection projects at times, helping the five freshmen leaders come up with volunteer opportunities. Ideas for setting a date for the freshmen pickleball tournament. On the other hand, Billingsley often discusses the next SHARE organization with the eight senior executives.

Although both of them have their own tasks they need to meet, Kaplan and Billingsley

always make sure to put comments, questions and concerns from SHARE students as their top priority. 

“Kids are coming in and out of our offices, bringing forms, asking questions and wanting to start new projects," Kaplan said. “Erin and I are always willing to help.” 

While Kaplan and Billingsley guide their students to success, they say it's the students who bring SHARE to life. 

With over 600 students involved each year, students' roles in SHARE can range from

freshman leaders and SHARE chairs to a senior executive.

Both Kaplan and Billingsley are also involved with the SHARE executive interview process. 

“They apply in March, and they fill out an application,” Billingsley said. “They interview with the current execs, and then Sheryl and I are in there too.”

 Kaplan and Billingsley have a strong relationship with their senior execs.

Vivian Frayley, Senior exec, shares a strong relationship with both Kaplan and Billingsley. Frayley says both are well organized and professional. 

“Since I began being a part of SHARE, they've helped me expand my leadership, they also helped me gain more knowledge of the different issues that our community faces daily,” Frayley said. 

One of Fraley's favorite memories with Kaplan and Billingsley was during her SHARE exec interview. 

When Fraley was interviewing for next year's SHARE exec, she told a story about when she was a freshman, Kaplan was not happy with her due to a situation. Little did Fraley know, Kaplan and Billinsley were in the corner listening to her. Frayle said she was shocked to see her, but it ended up being a funny memory between the two. 

One thing Kaplan and Billinsley do is take SHARE execs on monthly field trips to visit various local non-profit locations. 

“The goal of these field trips is to see different local organizations and how they get started," Kaplan said. "Also, to see what they do and see all the different sides of philanthropy and non-profit organizations.”

Although Kaplan and Billingsley collaborate on almost every aspect of SHARE, such as elaborating thoughts and ideas, their week is structured so they can assist the students together and individually.

On Mondays, both Kaplan and Billingsley lead the second hour SHARE executive class by brainstorming ideas, coming up with organization plans and supporting the eight senior execs.

Kaplan teaches the class on Tuesday, while Billingsley teaches the class on Thursday. On odd days, they come to the school to answer questions, handle tasks and support all SHARE members. 

Since Kaplan and Billingsley only work together in the building on Mondays, they have a system of using a Google document to record notes and keep each other updated on the latest information.

“When I'm there and she's not, or she's there and I'm not, we write to each other,” Kaplan said. “We have an ongoing Google Doc that we call our 'SHAREnt' note.” 

With many moving parts and busy plans, Kaplan and Billingsley's guidance is what keeps SHARE running smoothly. Both coordinators have made sure to take responsibility and take time out of their day to set up the students for success. 

Sophomore Ana Pyakural is a first-time SHARE chair this year. SHARE chairs help non-profit organizations find fun ways for people to sign up, such as designing posters for the SHARE Care Fair. 

“I think they're very nice,” Pyakural said. “It's my first year being a SHARE chair, so I don't know them super well, but at the meetings, they are very helpful and willing to contribute to us.”

Kaplan and Billingsley both have a strong motivation to pursue their interest in  SHARE. 

They enjoy seeing each student's different ideas. They especially love seeing students expand on thoughts on what to do for SHARE projects/organizations. 

“I love getting to see the variety of students that come in and the variety of interests that they have. I really like that we provide so many different opportunities,” Billingsley said.