OK ... I am still doing one volunteer item - but it's an officer job that ends on Feb. 28th. So collecting the chapter dues and finishing up the books (as the Treasurer) doesn't make me feel like I've really quit volunteering!
However, I did say no to continuing on as an officer this year - and someone else has stepped up at church to do the UTO boxes this Lent.
I'm excited that people are stepping forward to take leadership. And maybe most importantly - I don't feel like I have to do it in order for it to be done well. Letting go of the control is something I'm working on along with this project.
What kind of volunteer work draws you in? Is it the administrative side? The personal side where you see the people you are helping?
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
New Perspectives
Didn't sing with the praise band at the early service - instead sat on the other side of church and sang there. Had a chance to speak to people I haven't had time to for a while - since I usually am getting ready for the next service. And I didn't attend two services - which allowed me to go to an early movie with my family.
One friend who is a volunteer-extraordinaire herself predicted that I won't be able to "say no" to volunteering after six months because I'll be bored. Don't know if "bored" is the right word.
The big question for me this month is "will I feel guilty" for not stepping up when there's a need. In the past, the only times I dropped out of volunteering was when we were moving to a new location or when I was busy with a new baby. Without what many will consider a legitimate reason for refusing to volunteer my time and talents, will I still be able to be part of my groups? Will I be seen as selfish? More importantly, will I feel selfish and guilty?
I'll be formulating these ideas into some questions for others this month ... how tied up is our identity with our volunteer activities?
One friend who is a volunteer-extraordinaire herself predicted that I won't be able to "say no" to volunteering after six months because I'll be bored. Don't know if "bored" is the right word.
The big question for me this month is "will I feel guilty" for not stepping up when there's a need. In the past, the only times I dropped out of volunteering was when we were moving to a new location or when I was busy with a new baby. Without what many will consider a legitimate reason for refusing to volunteer my time and talents, will I still be able to be part of my groups? Will I be seen as selfish? More importantly, will I feel selfish and guilty?
I'll be formulating these ideas into some questions for others this month ... how tied up is our identity with our volunteer activities?
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year - New Resolution
2010 ... the year I said no... to volunteering.
This resolution wasn't made lightly or even recently. Back in June 2009 I had a dream about doing this project.
For the entire year of 2010, I am not singing in the choir, serving on a board, offering to help with fundraising, etc.
What I am doing instead is:
This resolution wasn't made lightly or even recently. Back in June 2009 I had a dream about doing this project.
For the entire year of 2010, I am not singing in the choir, serving on a board, offering to help with fundraising, etc.
What I am doing instead is:
- research on voluntarism
- changing perspectives by trying new things
- trying to find where my true passion for volunteering lies
- recharging my own batteries
- paying more attention to the personal relationships in my life
I hope you'll join me on my year-long journey/project. I'll be asking questions about your volunteering experiences along the way.
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