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Has Anyone Done Any Volunteer Work?
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I volunteer a bit at my towns "Youth and Senior Services Bureau". Basically I make databases and enter in pages and pages of old outdated information and I hook up other "youths" with people that want employees, such as farm owners or people that want a babysitter or a lawn mower.
After I finish updating my databases I am going to make TV commercials for the Town's TV channel which no one ever watches because nothing is ever on it. The commercials are going to be about Youth Employment Services (Y.E.S.), WOW- some girls group, and other things of that nature.
It's not too bad. My "Boss" is never in the office, so I have the office to myself. Its pretty nice. I've got a nice chair, a fast PC with a Dell 17" UltraSharp LCD, there is a couch and a coffee table.
I am hoping to have this turn into a paying job, according to my boss she is trying to make it happen.
After I finish updating my databases I am going to make TV commercials for the Town's TV channel which no one ever watches because nothing is ever on it. The commercials are going to be about Youth Employment Services (Y.E.S.), WOW- some girls group, and other things of that nature.
It's not too bad. My "Boss" is never in the office, so I have the office to myself. Its pretty nice. I've got a nice chair, a fast PC with a Dell 17" UltraSharp LCD, there is a couch and a coffee table.
I am hoping to have this turn into a paying job, according to my boss she is trying to make it happen.
hey, me too! *thinks* "wow i really am a nerd!" and i'm an Eagle Scout,MongoTheGeek said:I'm involved with the boy scouts. It's only 1 hour a week
i've done 340 so far in my highschool career,
........i think thats a record here.
they said i couldnt put anymore smileys : (
I volunteered for my local ambulance service as an EMT throughout high school and college. It was a great experience. I miss it sometimes.
I do so much volunteer work that I can't count how many hours it's been over the last 10 years. But it's in the thousands.
In addition to helping a bit at MacRumors, I founded and run a technology committee at a local school, which is the sixth Los Angeles school that I've helped. I do volunteer work for a non-profit organization that Mrs. Q got involved with. I help friends and neighbors with their computers. I decorate floats for the Rose Parade every year. And I help finish any leftover food at family picnics. (I'm not sure if that last one counts as volunteer work.)
Somewhere in there I have a full-time job too.
Why do I do all this? Because it's not in my nature to ever keep still (I like being busy, even though I can never keep up with everything), and I get more satisfaction from helping people than from watching TV or whatever it is that normal people do.
In addition to helping a bit at MacRumors, I founded and run a technology committee at a local school, which is the sixth Los Angeles school that I've helped. I do volunteer work for a non-profit organization that Mrs. Q got involved with. I help friends and neighbors with their computers. I decorate floats for the Rose Parade every year. And I help finish any leftover food at family picnics. (I'm not sure if that last one counts as volunteer work.)
Somewhere in there I have a full-time job too.
Why do I do all this? Because it's not in my nature to ever keep still (I like being busy, even though I can never keep up with everything), and I get more satisfaction from helping people than from watching TV or whatever it is that normal people do.
I recently applied at a local community college to become a math tutor.
There's a good resource online for searching community service opporuntities in your area: www.volunteermatch.org.
There's a good resource online for searching community service opporuntities in your area: www.volunteermatch.org.
Doctor Q said:
Really?
Do you know what floats you've decorated? Or is it all a mish-mash of stuff while you're applying the petals?
I wish Hartford had a Rose Parade ...
I coach fall and spring soccer for the YMCA. This is my 3rd season and I will have two teams, 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th grades.
I am a board member for the local food pantry and I help out at most of the fundraising and food drive events, as well as a couple of the special event distributions.
I volunteer a lot at church, from council to committees to usher to computer support.
I am also involved with 4-H as a project leader and club advisory board member.
Finally, I am helping to form a "Friends of" group to support a local park in town.
Why do I do it? 1. There is a need. 2. I have the ability. 3. I have fun doing it. 4. Why not?
I am a board member for the local food pantry and I help out at most of the fundraising and food drive events, as well as a couple of the special event distributions.
I volunteer a lot at church, from council to committees to usher to computer support.
I am also involved with 4-H as a project leader and club advisory board member.
Finally, I am helping to form a "Friends of" group to support a local park in town.
Why do I do it? 1. There is a need. 2. I have the ability. 3. I have fun doing it. 4. Why not?
I go to one of the giant airplane-hanger-sized tent buildings where a dozen-or-so organizations decorate their floats side-by-side. They share supplies (e.g., pine branches and glue and fastening pins) and sometimes share vounteers. I help whichever teams I'm invited to join. One time I got to help with the Rainbird float that won a trophy.thedude110 said:Really?
Do you know what floats you've decorated? Or is it all a mish-mash of stuff while you're applying the petals?
One year I somehow ended up explaining what the volunteers were doing to tour groups that passed by on the outside of the work area (behind a railing). Each group would come up with their tour guide and I'd explain to them how the eucalyptus leaves were being glued onto the wheel of a vehicle, to make it look like a metal edge, and how they had to line up and all face the same way. I'd hold some leaves up and they'd snap photos.
Part of the fun is wandering around and seeing all the float-building in progress. Another thrill is eating fast food during a quick meal break with hands that are covered with glue.
Sounds like it's up to you to start one.I wish Hartford had a Rose Parade ...
I found the OP's question interesting, if unusual, but perhaps that's because I've just had the opportunity to volunteer with so many different things over the past 14 years or so.
Perhaps my most substantial contribution (and most personally rewarding) is the time I've put into volunteering with a local kids' summer camp. It's been 13 years now that I've gone to camp as a counsellor for 2-3 weeks per year (and if I was employed at the time, I'd call that my vacation time). I'm currently in my 6th (and last) year of a term on the Board of Directors, as Vice President of the organization
Apart from the usual counselling and spending time with the kids at camp, I also help with all the tech services such as taking digital pictures throughout the week, compiling them into slide shows, maintaining the camp website, brochures, newsletters, and so on.
I've also spent, over the years, what probably amounts to thousands of dollars in material donations as well as my own airfare to attend various conferences all over the USA on behalf of camp (and its national Association).
The "why" is an interesting question. I suppose just because.. it's fun! I love what I do with camp, it's been an opportunity to exercise and improve my skills, and do something very different from my day job (software engineer). Also, I've been with camp long enough to see 8-year-old kids grow and mature into responsible young adults who now also come back as staff members, and to have had a part in being a role model is somehow indescribable. My closest friends (and my girlfriend) are all from camp.
Volunteer because you love doing it, not because it's hours to be counted or for any other reason.
Perhaps my most substantial contribution (and most personally rewarding) is the time I've put into volunteering with a local kids' summer camp. It's been 13 years now that I've gone to camp as a counsellor for 2-3 weeks per year (and if I was employed at the time, I'd call that my vacation time). I'm currently in my 6th (and last) year of a term on the Board of Directors, as Vice President of the organization
Apart from the usual counselling and spending time with the kids at camp, I also help with all the tech services such as taking digital pictures throughout the week, compiling them into slide shows, maintaining the camp website, brochures, newsletters, and so on.
I've also spent, over the years, what probably amounts to thousands of dollars in material donations as well as my own airfare to attend various conferences all over the USA on behalf of camp (and its national Association).
The "why" is an interesting question. I suppose just because.. it's fun! I love what I do with camp, it's been an opportunity to exercise and improve my skills, and do something very different from my day job (software engineer). Also, I've been with camp long enough to see 8-year-old kids grow and mature into responsible young adults who now also come back as staff members, and to have had a part in being a role model is somehow indescribable. My closest friends (and my girlfriend
) are all from camp.Volunteer because you love doing it, not because it's hours to be counted or for any other reason.
When that happens to me I just shrug it off. After all, if I made something better (e.g., fixed a disobedient computer) and enjoyed making the effort, then perhaps that's enough reward, whether it was appreciated by the computer's owner or not.bigandy said:....however I wouldn't volunteer in the UK, or in fact anywhere else in the 'developed world'. I wouldn't do it because every time I've helped someone out who actually needed the help they've been completely ungrateful.
And when people are downright rude about it (such as one teacher who treated me like I was the janitor in there to sweep the floor rather than a school parent volunteering to install software for him), I get my "revenge" by telling my wife about it later so we can laugh at how thoughtless the teacher was.
As notjustjay says, volunteering should be done because you want to do it.
Doctor Q said:
Exactly. The reward is in the doing, not in the expectation of appreciation.
If you feel the need for more positive feedback (and I think in reality most of us do), then join a service club or organization. Your commitment to whatever good works you enjoy doing will be reinforced by others who are similarly committed, and you won't feel like you're trying to change the world single-handedly.
And altruism can be both spontaneous and/or premeditated, but the motive should be selfless. I recall being in the St. Louis area back in the 90's when , due to the flooding and rising water, they broadcast the need for sandbaggers in several locations. I had a couple of days free, so just went on the spur of the moment. Experiencing the sense of community and neighbors helping neighbors with no thought of recompense was heart warming, especially in knowing that several houses were saved.IJ Reilly said:
Doesn't it seem a little odd that those found guilty of minor crimes are sometimes sentenced to "community service" instead of jail time or fines, while others of us do "community service" work anyway? So what would happen if one of us (people who routinely volunteer) got sentenced by a court to do community service work? It doesn't seem like much of a crime deterrent in that case. Would they look at your personal history and decide to jail or fine you instead, just because you'd enjoy your punishment?
Did any of you ever encounter somebody who was sentenced to community service work? I wonder if they'd actually be helpful or would drag their feet and do a lousy job because they weren't there of their own free will.
On the sneaky side, could I "commit a misdemeanor for free" (essentially get away with it) because my punishment would be what I'd do as a hobby anyway?
Did any of you ever encounter somebody who was sentenced to community service work? I wonder if they'd actually be helpful or would drag their feet and do a lousy job because they weren't there of their own free will.
On the sneaky side, could I "commit a misdemeanor for free" (essentially get away with it) because my punishment would be what I'd do as a hobby anyway?
as far as the sentenced to community service thing goes, i would guess that the nature of the work (providing some sort of service to those in need of something) might actually help rehabilitate some convicts, which could be one of the reasonings behind it, or at least a positive side effect. though, i do see the irony in it... like these guys are scumbags who wouldn't be helping society, so let's force them to. likewise, those who volunteer don't commit crimes. hah
Back when I was in Middle School I volunteered for a project called "Cyber Seniors." Basically they all came to the req center into a classroom. Every desk had a computer on it. Each volunteer would sit next to the elderly student and guide them how to turn the computer on, how to type effectively, how to check email, how to use word/excel/powerpoint. Basic stuff. They had a notebook to guide them as well, but having the person sitting right next to them for help was best. For their questions would be quickly answered.
Funny stories too. One time we instructed everyone to open up internet explorer. and figure out how to get to the whitehouse's page. So this one lady kept asking is it dot com? dot net? ect.. The goal was to see if they could figure it out themselves without our help. Well she was all frustrated so she typed whitehouse dot com... (no link on purpose) and yes she screamed so loud. (It was a porn site ) She was totally freaking out.
The lady next to her said to me "Now you know where to go when your parents aren't around" lol.... As I came up to quit the browser. This old guy accross the room was saying let me look, let me look. I want to see!
It took a few tries but they managed to get it. Some googled whitehouse. and they figured it out. It was whitehouse.gov
Funny stories too. One time we instructed everyone to open up internet explorer. and figure out how to get to the whitehouse's page. So this one lady kept asking is it dot com? dot net? ect.. The goal was to see if they could figure it out themselves without our help. Well she was all frustrated so she typed whitehouse dot com... (no link on purpose) and yes she screamed so loud. (It was a porn site
) She was totally freaking out. The lady next to her said to me "Now you know where to go when your parents aren't around" lol.... As I came up to quit the browser. This old guy accross the room was saying let me look, let me look. I want to see!
It took a few tries but they managed to get it. Some googled whitehouse. and they figured it out. It was whitehouse.gov
I did some volunteer work in a local hospital helping out on an old people's ward, nothing to get my hands dirty though , I did it to help my Medicine application, didn't help much lol Was an interesting and useful experience, taught me a few things about myself, but gave me more questions for life....
Please excuse the philisophical crap lol
Cheers
, I did it to help my Medicine application, didn't help much lol Was an interesting and useful experience, taught me a few things about myself, but gave me more questions for life....Please excuse the philisophical crap lol
Cheers
Dr Q
could you post pic's from the next time you do it?
(the rose parade thing)
that'd be neat to see-
--- on the volunteering front---
yes- i've volunteered a bunch
sometimes just folding letters for mailings...etc
currently i do a lot of live audio mixing for some local bands here-
and that's volunteer-
but it is fun- as i love doing it-
in the past i volunteered a bit w/ the salvation army-
the only down side there- was they wanted some 'advance notice' about what my plans were-
i was in the mode of 'well- shoot, i've got an extra hour and i'm in town... i should volunteer!'
we worked stuff out eventually-
local food banks always need people to stack or reorganize or reinventory food-
could you post pic's from the next time you do it?
(the rose parade thing)
that'd be neat to see-
--- on the volunteering front---
yes- i've volunteered a bunch
sometimes just folding letters for mailings...etc
currently i do a lot of live audio mixing for some local bands here-
and that's volunteer-
but it is fun- as i love doing it-
in the past i volunteered a bit w/ the salvation army-
the only down side there- was they wanted some 'advance notice' about what my plans were-
i was in the mode of 'well- shoot, i've got an extra hour and i'm in town... i should volunteer!'
we worked stuff out eventually-
local food banks always need people to stack or reorganize or reinventory food-
Yup. I volunteered as an aide at an elementary school during the summer (summer school). I've also volunteered at the Wheelchair Olympics, and at a Juvie Detention Center. If you are good at connecting with people I would look for something that involves a lot of interaction--like at a Juvie Center or maybe the Boys & Girls Club. Good luck!
Here are photos I posted a year and a half ago, from decorating for the 2005 Rose Parade. I'll try to dig up some photos from decorating for the 2006 Rose Parade too.gallagb said:
Working on a hubcap for a vehicle and the lettering for a sign (those are my hands):
Also, a family of Pandas on a float being worked on, and a newspaper photo of the finished float from parade day:
I found some photos I took while decorating for the 2006 Rose Parade. Each year, I bring along my camera and some plastic gloves, which I wear so I wouldn't get glue on my camera. Now, are you sure you want to see these photos so much out of season?
There are two kinds of materials for decorating Rose Parade floats: dry and live. Every part of the float must be covered with natural materials.
Photo #1: The dry materials like seeds, pine needles, grasses, and these dry straw flowers can be prepared many days in advance of the parade. That's what most of the volunteers work with. I was cutting these up to make raw materials for parts of a float. A tiny Vietnamese grandmother got the same assignment, so we worked together.
Photo #2: Live materials are the fresh flowers that go on floats. They are kept in vials with (I think) 7-Up in them to keep the flowers fresh. They are put on the floats at the last minute, usually on December 30 or 31, or even the very early morning of January 1st.
Photos #3 and #4: Giant tiger lillies and daisies made out of tiny petals, glued on a bit at a time. It takes hours and hours to create these. The white stuff is cocoanut, which I got to help crush (that's fun).
Photo #5: Another use for the dry materials: making fake pineapples!
There are two kinds of materials for decorating Rose Parade floats: dry and live. Every part of the float must be covered with natural materials.
Photo #1: The dry materials like seeds, pine needles, grasses, and these dry straw flowers can be prepared many days in advance of the parade. That's what most of the volunteers work with. I was cutting these up to make raw materials for parts of a float. A tiny Vietnamese grandmother got the same assignment, so we worked together.
Photo #2: Live materials are the fresh flowers that go on floats. They are kept in vials with (I think) 7-Up in them to keep the flowers fresh. They are put on the floats at the last minute, usually on December 30 or 31, or even the very early morning of January 1st.
Photos #3 and #4: Giant tiger lillies and daisies made out of tiny petals, glued on a bit at a time. It takes hours and hours to create these. The white stuff is cocoanut, which I got to help crush (that's fun).
Photo #5: Another use for the dry materials: making fake pineapples!
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Photo #6: It's kind of funny that we used dried/cut petals to make fake pineapples, while the float decorators next to us were using real pineapples to decorate their float. They cut up pineapples longways and glued them onto the back of this alligator. Isn't that a great effect?
Photos #7 and #8: A few other animals being created: Mr. Monkey and Ms. Bunny.
Photo #9: This one-man reporter/cameraman was wandering around interviewing people for a local TV station. He didn't ask me for an interview. He prefered to interview the ladies!
Ask me again in January 2007 and I'll post a new set of photos!
Photos #7 and #8: A few other animals being created: Mr. Monkey and Ms. Bunny.
Photo #9: This one-man reporter/cameraman was wandering around interviewing people for a local TV station. He didn't ask me for an interview. He prefered to interview the ladies!
Ask me again in January 2007 and I'll post a new set of photos!
