I am forced to volunteer through work (usually medical tents or booths at races/health fairs). I hate it. I don't find it rewarding at all. Does that make me a bad person? I'm hoping to start volunteering for things I actually enjoy after I finish my training. I think the reason why I hate it so much is because we are forced to volunteer and we have such limited free time. Does anyone else feel this way? :/
At my old job, I used to have to bring my naughty teenagers to do community service, and therefore was doing the same volunteer work. I HATED when I had to go to Salvation Army because I very much dislike the organization. You have to find something that you care about, and do it when you want.
VolunteeringMay 25, 2015 20:22:35 GMT -5via mobile
Post by ihatepizza on May 25, 2015 20:22:35 GMT -5
I love volunteering and am addicted. I volunteer for big brothers/ big sisters because I love children and it's an amazing organization. While volunteering with my last little I became a Girl Scout leader (which was phenomenal). In the past, I've volunteered at church, raised a guide dog and worked at a children's rehabilitation program. My latest adventure is working with my dog to get her all trained up to be a therapy dog.
After everything that has happened in the last year, being part of something bigger than I am keeps me grounded. I honestly think that volunteering has only added to my life. I had difficult moments and had some tears (saying goodbye to little sisters, working with children who have been abused, saying goodbye to a grown up guide pup) but wouldn't change anything. I hope if I finally succeed in having children I can volunteer with/ for them.
I'll finish my mini rant now, it's just something I'm really passionate about
Me: 29 DH: 35 NTNP since May 2013 charting since June 2014 dx: Graves disease (radioactive iodine), Crohns disease (abdominal surgeries) MMC October 2015 (9 weeks) Severe MFI diagnosis July 2015
Post by rosetyler72 on May 25, 2015 21:55:34 GMT -5
*Lurking from CAL
What a great thread! I have enjoyed reading about everyone's experiences. I agree about finding something that you are passionate about and figuring out how to help. I have done a lot of different volunteer things over the years. The biggest and most rewarding was volunteering to teach elementary school for a year in Micronesia by a program run through my college (it is kind of similar to Teach for America, but obviously not in the US). It was an amazing experience but very difficult. I think it helped me grow up a lot. I am not a teacher but after teaching for one year I have so much respect for those that do teach!
Currently the only volunteering I do is fostering for a Boxer Rescue in my area. It is difficult because it changes the whole dynamic in our house and it is 24/7, but I have found it rewarding too.
-Organizer of a Leadership class that brings young professionals together for a year and teaches them about networking, industry, and community involvement.Working to organize the leadership class is rewarding, because I took the class myself my first year in my career. There are relationships that I gained, that will help me through my career. I actually got the job that I have currently because of it!
-President of the Women's Resource Center, which has the goal to empower women entering/reentering the workforce. Twice a week, we have a Career Closet where women can come in and get donated professional wear for a job or interview.Once I heard about the mission of the Women's Resource Center, I knew that it was something that I wanted to be a part of. Being raised in poverty, by a single mother, I knew that I wanted to help people that came from a similar place. I had to work really hard to pull myself out of a cycle that was already in motion, and I wanted to let others know that they can as well. When I work at the Career Closet and a young woman comes in that doesn't know how to interview, or dress professionally, it is an opportunity for me to use my skill set.
-Lead/team captain/member of my county's Relay for Life event. My team brings in over 10% of the $100,000 raised each year. Attending a Relay for Life for the first time changed me, heart and soul. My mother is a 18+ year survivor, my father died of cancer when I was 9, and 3 of my grandparents also had cancer. Being on the leadership side of it, you don't get to enjoy it the same as someone that just comes to the fun event, but I take great pride in the look of wonder when a new person comes to our event. It is 11 months of work for 24 hours, and is worth every moment of it.
I like my job, and I love my boss, but I don't feel fulfilled by it. It doesn't allow for me to show my passion for people. But volunteering does! Right now, I feel like I don't want to spend 3 hours of my evening at the Closet, but when I come home tonight, I know that I will be thankful that I did.
I say, find something that you love. Try a place, and if it doesn't fit you, try a different one. In my experience, all organizations are excited to take the help, even if you eventually find that it isn't the right place for you.
I volunteer at a museum both in the research center and doing "daily operations" work (being available to answer questions, directing people, etc.), I volunteer for the occasional communications exercise when there's a need (amateur radio operations) and I volunteer helping a local emergency preparedness group with their training and communications. I'm trying to find time to squeeze Boy Scouts back into my list of things I help with but haven't been successful with that yet.
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