Today while reading an article in our local newspaper, I was pleased to see an article about a company that recommends its employees volunteer and give back to the community during shut down.
Unfortunately, I know a lot of people that feel volunteering is a waste of time. With the recent tornados that have hit many areas, the amount of children in the community that need the support they don't get from home, the many home bound elderly and so much more, there are a lot of places one can volunteer that peaks YOUR interest.
I’ve always been the type of person that believes in helping others. Not having a full-time permanent job in almost six years has been stressful enough. During my time of on again, off again temporary jobs, I have dedicated my time to volunteer. I have networked with a lot of people and found out about a lot of services that the community offers, that I know I would have NEVER known about if I did not take the time to volunteer.
For those of you who work full-time and think you don’t have time to volunteer, believe it or not if you go to your human resources department and ask about volunteering you might be eligible for comp time. Don’t forget about the holidays and with summer coming up, instead of taking a vacation and spending hundreds of dollars on gas, hotel stays, etc, stay in the community and volunteer together as a family. With the MANY gadgets children have today, they need to see that EVERYONE is not as fortunate to get all of what they have and let them see for themselves what you have been telling them all along.
If you feel you don’t have a special skill, teach a child to read. One of the places I currently volunteer is at my child’s school. Some of the children I’ve worked with were not at the reading level for their prospective grade when school started. Now you cannot get most of them to STOP reading. It is so exciting to me that I could help! (Maybe I can get some of these same students to get me that excited about math :)
Always remember that whatever you can do to help someone else is never in vain. Besides, you never know when you or someone close to you situation will change and what community services will be needed.
This is my insight for you. Let’s continue to help those in our communities.
Much SUCCESS
Comments
Thanks Felicia for the post. What most people fail to recognize is that volunteering is a win-win situation.
1. If you are unemployed or underemployed it gives you an opportunity to be seen by potential hiring managers as well as offers you an chance to learn new skills.
2. If you are a business owner, what better way to share your "expertise" than while helping your community!
3. If you feel over worked, volunteering can actually be a stress reliever and may even offer some relaxation.
Remember, although you are volunteering to help others, never look at it as a sacrifice. You are gaining a whole lot while offering others your time, talents and tenacity!
Veronique Link, The 180° Coach
www.empowerme2day.com