Wednesday, December 18, 2019

‘Tis the Season
Christmas is just around the corner, a time to enjoy the season with those close to us. I am taking a few weeks off from my blog to do just that.
            May you have a season filled with warmth and joy, and may the New Year be peaceful and gracious to all of us.
            I’ll be back in 2020!

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

On Volunteering  (part 2)
As pointed out in my last blog, there are countless ways a person can volunteer. The needs are great and it’s only a question of deciding the best way you can give back.
            However, it must be said that once you’ve decided to be a volunteer you have to plan how to go about it and understand that there is a process to follow.
Getting Started
Here are some pointers to guide your steps:
-- If you have a specific organization in mind, contact the chapter in your community and speak with the manager of volunteers. Most charities have websites which provide volunteering information and opportunities.
-- Contact your local volunteer bureau to collect information about the needs of organizations in your community and to identify the agencies that could benefit from your support.
-- Check the local media for volunteer needs in your area.
-- Talk to friends and relatives who already volunteer as they can provide information.
The Next Step
Volunteering today involves more than simply coming forward and offering your time and skills. Organizations devote time to matching volunteers to positions to ensure a positive experience for everyone concerned.
            As a prospective volunteer, you can expect a process which will include:
An application   A formal application helps the organization determine how best to use your talents.
An interview   This process is an opportunity for you the perspective volunteer to learn more about volunteer positions and their responsibilities.
A background check   To avoid problems down the road, organizations do background checks on perspective volunteers and do contact references.
Training   Organizations usually provide orientation and training to their volunteers to ensure they clearly understand their responsibilities as a volunteer.
            Volunteering is an act of generosity that should be enjoyable. Once an organization and you have agreed on a specific activity, remember that if it isn’t what you expected you can ask to do something else. Happy volunteers contribute their time for years, something charitable organizations understand only too well. Simply explain the problem frankly and openly.
And...
            The sense of fulfillment makes it all worthwhile. There is a feeling of satisfaction and pride at contributing to ease the burden of others, and it is positively energizing.
           



Wednesday, December 4, 2019

On Volunteering (part 1)
It would be difficult to imagine how some organizations or groups could function without volunteers. And that’s where mature people with decades of accumulated experience are ideally suited to enhance their community’s quality of life by putting their skills to good use through volunteering.
            Volunteering has many positive results. It is a good way to keep busy, meet new people and feel needed now that the children are on their own. It’s also perfect for keeping physically and mentally active. And, it puts one’s own problems into perspective.
            Often volunteers get involved with a specific group or organization because they have lost a loved one to a devastating illness. However, if uncertain on how you could volunteer in your community, it is a good idea to begin by assessing your interests and experience. Most of us have accumulated so many skills that it might be difficult in fact to focus on one in particular.
            If you “only” raised a family, you have organizational, teaching, money management and people skills that a wide range of organizations could use. If you love working with your hands, you could offer your services to do repairs and maintenance at shelters or food banks. If you drive a car, you can deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound people. If you are a grandparent you can get involved in your community’s intergenerational programs to interact with a young child who doesn’t have grandparents. If you can read, an elderly person with poor eyesight would welcome being read to. If you have a telephone, you can become a lifeline for a lonely elderly person by keeping in touch on a daily basis.       
If you love to clown around, why not don a clown suit and visit a local hospital so ill children can laugh, or visit a long-term care facility to share stories and play games. If you write well, consider giving your time to writing an organization’s newsletter or other materials. Youth groups of all sorts could use the expertise of teachers.
            The list is almost endless for those ready to give back.