Dearborn., Michigan

Pictured left to right in the group shot are: Keith Chinn; Jaguar and Land Rover Chief Executive Officer Geoff Polites; John Poli.

You can't measure enthusiasm, but you can see its impact.

In nominating John Poli and Keith Chinn for September Volunteer of the Month honors, Rob Lummis, group employee relations director, Jaguar and Land Rover, cited their enthusiasm, team spirit and long-term commitment to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Lummis said while both are involved in many aspects of JDRF, one place their efforts stand out is at their workplaces. "They have persuaded many employees to take part in fund-raising activities as well as the JDRF walk itself."

In addition to taking a leadership role, John Poli, a programme manager for Range Rover and Defender at the Solihull Manufacturing Site, participates in the walks and fund raisers and has seen the impact the illness has. "Diabetes is hard for an adult to bear, but for small children I am sure it is more difficult still. The very young cannot understand why. Over the years I have met many children with the disease. Their stoicism and ability to cope with it is truly inspiring."

As with Poli, Chinn, a project leader in Range Rover Model Year Programmes at the Whitley Engineering Centre, is fortunate no one in his family has diabetes, but he also has been touched by it. "Many of my friends and colleagues at work do (have diabetes), so it seemed an ideal opportunity to get involved and make a small difference in the crusade to find a cure."

Both men say they've enjoyed the multi-faceted aspects of their JDRF involvement. "I was also attracted to the fact that the walk event was a great opportunity for company employees to spend some time together outside of the work environment," says Chinn, "and I have always been keen that the walk event should be an enjoyable social occasion along with the important objective of raising money."

Poli, too, values his experience on several levels. "As well as benefiting the search for a cure, it has allowed myself and other work colleagues a team building opportunity not related to our day jobs but one that is extremely worthwhile and satisfying."

In nominating Poli, Lummis noted his integral role on a team of Jaguar and Land Rover employees who have raised more than half a million pounds (USD1.45 million). "John . . . has been the principle contact for employees at Land Rover's manufacturing facility in Solihull . . . (and) works on the Regional Development Committee. . . . John has given up many hours of his own time to work with the JDRF team, to recruit team captains and walkers, organize internal communications, and take part in the fund raising."

Lummis wrote that Chinn, too, is central to his team's success. "Keith has been . . . the principle contact for employees at the Whitley Engineering Centre. He has given up many hours of his own time to recruit team captains and walkers, organize internal communications, and take part in the fund raising. . . . As new committee members have enrolled to help support the JDRF, Keith has been an invaluable point of contact and has provided support to representatives at other sites."

While Chinn and Poli are among the leaders in the Jaguar Land Rover JDRF programs, it is a team effort. And the success that's been achieved would not have been possible without the combined efforts of all of the volunteers.