The Meta-Greeter: Gail Morse’s 22 Years at Big Apple Greeter
After 22 years on the staff of Big Apple Greeter, Gail Morse retired as director of programs & volunteers at the end of 2025.
From recruiting and welcoming volunteer Greeters, to helping visitors find unique experiences in NYC, to playing a key role in establishing the International Greeter Association, Gail has been at the heart of the “welcome visitor” movement for more than two decades.
In the gig-economy era, Gail’s long-term commitment to Big Apple Greeter is striking.
She connected with the program while completing a masters degree in tourism at New York University and says that she quickly “found a home” in the organization. Gail says that no two work days were ever alike: “Even the problems weren’t boring!”
Happily for Big Apple Greeter, Gail is continuing as a volunteer in the office two days a week.
Her first volunteer assignment was to help Cara Ng, the new director of volunteers & communications, learn about the role. Cara says, “Having Gail as a guide during this transition has been vital. She’s left such a lasting mark here, and I’m honored to build on the foundation she nurtured for so long. And, it’s a real bonus that she’s staying involved as a volunteer.”
For Executive Director Alicia Pierro, not having Gail in the office every day is a major change after more than 20 years of a close working relationship.
Like Cara, she’s grateful for Gail’s continued involvement. “Gail’s depth of experience combined with Cara’s fresh perspective will mean great things for the program in the next few years.”
Volunteers have also been eager to express their appreciation to Gail. Greeter Jesse Richards wrote,
“Gail truly is one of a kind and she embodies the spirit of Big Apple Greeter to a T. In doing so, and by being the one to welcome and train new Greeters, she has set the tone for the entire program, for years. By greeting and guiding the Greeters, Gail has been a meta-Greeter, the platonic ideal of a Greeter, the best of us. I’m so grateful for her help and support over the years. Onward to new adventures!”
Those adventures will include lots of visits to museums and the theater, and more opportunities to see family and friends. And, of course, travel!
Since retiring, Gail has spent a week in London, where she stayed with a former Big Apple Greeter volunteer. Now she’s making plans to visit Paris with family in the early fall before attending the next International Greeter Association conference in Liège, Belgium, followed by a stay with a friend who lives in Greece.