Just because Tim Burton had a previous career in the steel industry doesn’t mean he’s hard-headed. In fact, Tim is open-minded and willing to learn, which has led him to where he is today: a Volunteer Support Specialist (VSS) for SMART.

He felt a calling to work in the addiction and recovery field after working in a hospital, and it became a pursuit a couple of years ago. “I found a job with a Recovery organization working in KY counties where [Opioid] overdose rates were the highest. From there I discovered SMART and became a facilitator.”  

As a VSS, Tim loves hearing from volunteers who are excited to be starting out as meeting facilitators as well as seasoned facilitators sharing their passion for SMART. He helps all those who need it.

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Here are Tim’s responses to the Take 5 Spotlight questions:

1. Are there tasks you perform regularly during your workday? Right now, it’s all about the audit we are doing to clarify meeting status across the US, but in my spare time it’s about learning all the other job functions—there is a lot to learn.
2. What are a couple of the ways you interact and coordinate your job with other national office staff? The Volunteer Department touches everything else in SMART Recovery, it’s really the backbone of the whole organization.
3. What is one of the ways that you think you personally make a difference at SMART? My background is so diverse that I hope to be a utility player that makes a difference. Put me in coach, I’m ready to play!
4. What is your message to all those dedicated SMART volunteers across the country? Discouragement is your enemy and don’t try and shoulder it alone. Call me!
5. What kinds of things are you interested in outside of work? Any hobbies? Just about any human power sport. I’ve backpacked over 200 miles of the Appalachian Trail since 2020, my wife and I love kayaking, and cycling is my lifelong passion. Sunday morning finds me in church somewhere.

Whether you find Tim on the trail, in the water, on wheels, or sitting reflectively, you’re sure to understand one thing: he loves SMART and helping people. A powerful combination and a great contribution to SMART’s Volunteer Support Department.

Learn more about the Take 5 Spotlight series and see others who have been profiled.

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We look forward to you joining the conversation!

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