Engaging Teens in Community Service Programs

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Engaging Teens in Community Service Programs
1. Teens can learn many life lessons through volunteerism. Volunteering through community service is a way to learn about helping others. Volunteering to help someone in need is a worthwhile endeavor. It feels good to be a part of something positive that instills pride. This concept can be moved to action starting early in a child’s life.
Family Affair
2. Teens are likely to become engaged in volunteerism if they see parents actively involved in giving back to the community. Children that are encouraged to participate in volunteerism as part of a family affair often continue on their own as into adult hood. Teens are responsible for some really empowering service projects that help those that are homeless, fighting illness, and who are just lonely and in need of human companionship. Taking time to get involved teaches the important lesson of importance of having empathy towards others.
3. Giving Service from the Heart
Often teens think that the only reason to give is to get something in return. Teaching them that volunteering and lending a hand is balanced living will help them to become empathetic and responsible members of society.

4. Volunteerism is Addictive
Volunteerism a feel good deal. There are so many options that finding a way to be of service is not hard. Hospitals need volunteers to read to children and deliver reading material to all patients. Community centers and libraries need volunteers to tutor younger students. Older teens who excel in sports can return to the field where they pitched or punted and volunteer to help the team.
Volunteering Across Generations
Seniors can always use a hand. A teen offering to shovel snow or rake leaves for a neighbor, is generally, always welcome. Sometimes these summer winter relationships become something special where both parties learn valuable gifts. Your teen will likely gain additional self confidence from beginning to see the world through

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Volunteerism for School Credit

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Volunteerism for School Credit

1. Most school districts require that students complete, “x” amount of hours performing community service before graduating. This enriching project can take the form of helping seniors, reading to younger children, or volunteering at a hospital. Community Service is simply giving back to the community.

2. Volunteering Builds Leadership Skills

Teens that are active in their community develop a sense of leadership and involvement and learn firsthand the benefit of volunteering. If you can identify a role model who leads by example you will gain even more insight on giving back. A mentor or role model is a person we look up to that does the human and compassionate thing because it is the right thing to do.

3. Volunteering is part of the school experience

Rewarding in itself, community involvement helps you see the benefits of volunteerism and community involvement firsthand. You will see where you fit into the big picture and that you make a difference. That isn’t a clich. You bring your unique gifts to the table.

4. Volunteering Boosts Self-Esteem

Getting an uninvolved and disinterested young person involved in community programs will help boost self esteem and get you on track with something positive. Tapping into your interest is one of the best ways of getting involved in community.
5. Last Minute Credit Efforts
Teens should have a firm project idea by the middle of their junior year, and look to start over that summer. If your teen has procrastinated and June is around the corner a project has to happen right away. One way to quickly get credit is to talk with neighbors and agree to perform a task for a certain period of time that will help lighten their load. Taking out trash, shoveling snow and running store errands under contract are creative ways to fulfill community service Check with your counselor to clear projects.

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Changing the World, One Young Person at a Time

December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Volunteers fit new windows at The Sumac Centre...
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Volunteering is a call for many people. Some individuals want to be close to those they are helping by distributing goods or serving food at a homeless shelter, but others want to work by marketing the charity or raising funds to help those in need. Volunteers will help where they feel that their talents will offer the most good for others. Young people more so than older volunteers will fight to be where they can help the most people.
Many adult volunteers do not believe that the younger volunteers have what it takes to make a difference, but young volunteers are using their voice to make important changes. Whether they are on the front lines or behind the activities, young individuals are making changes in policies and finding more ways to get the funding an organization needs to help others.
Young volunteers have a desire to help others and they have a fresh outlook on the process. Many older volunteers are cynical because they do not always see a change in the hard work that they put into helping others. Young volunteers have the determination to do what older volunteers do not have and they demand change. They use their volunteer efforts to learn and fight for something larger than they are as individuals.
Parents who have children that are driven to change the world can nurture their child’s ambition by volunteering by their side. Older adults who volunteer closely with the youth of American are feeling inspired like they were when they were younger. Adults are influenced by the innocence of younger volunteers and learning to listen when they had lost that skill from being hardened. Young volunteers should not be pushed aside; others should nourish them in the organization because they are the next generation in nonprofit organizations.

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Free Concert for Service Volunteers

December 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Free Concert for Service Volunteers

1. An added perk for volunteers of music events is attending a show for free. The price tag to attend a concert for a star act can be close to a hundred dollars a ticket. By volunteering you offer service through volunteerism and get a night out for free.

2. Offering Your Services

Contact the organization hosting the venue and speak with someone in marketing. Tell them that you are interested in volunteering at musical events and that you have loads of black in your wardrobe.

3. Additional Advantages of Volunteering

Volunteering to serve as an usher or greeter is also a great way to spruce up your resume. Employers look for people who are civic minded. Volunteer credit carries weight and can make a difference in a tight race between two job candidates. Keep a record each time you volunteer along with the contact information for the person you reported to.

4. Dazzle with Your Punctuality and People Skills
A few tips for keeping the door open in the event you want to do this more than once. Be on time and show up prepared. A helpful volunteer is punctual, polite and dressed the part. These three tips are likely to get you an offer to come back.
Remember to send a short letter of thanks it keeps your name fresh to the person making the callbacks.

5. Enjoy the music Come dressed professionally in the specified uniform and color. Go light on the fragrance or skip it all together. People with allergies run the risk of a flare up whenever they venture out. Be kind. Make sure and smile and have fun with it.

6. Spread the Word
If you have a good experience with volunteering any where let people know. Volunteers make a difference.

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Volunteer for Career Day

December 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Volunteer for Career Day

1. Make a Difference

Make a difference for someone. If you love your career choice talk about it. There are many people who really do love what they do for a living. They breathe it. They stay excited about it and they want you to know it. If you are that person then volunteering your time for a Career Day program can be a rewarding experience. Your enthusiasm may encourage someone to pursue what has given you a deep sense of satisfaction.

2. Abundance of Venues

There are always venues offering advice on careers. Education and Business both make strong use of options for volunteerism, employing interns and student teachers are examples.

3. Your Story Matters

Sharing your story about your chosen career is a good way to give back to the community. More importantly, it is a way for you to recognize and appreciate your growth process. Your story of struggle and subsequent victory deserves to be heard.

4. Share Well

This is also an opportunity for a teachable moment. If you made a bad career choice someone can learn from that experience as well. Being fired and sharing that story can help someone else stay employed or leave on better terms. This is always better then leaving with a door that is totally closed.

5. Developing your Spiel

Take time to craft your talk. Practice, practice, practice. Know it and own it. No one gets charged listening to a boring speaker. Take advantage of organizations that develop speakers. Many are free or low cost.

6. Success

You were a big Career Day hit. So big in fact that someone has asked you to be their mentor. This is good news. We all like getting our egos stroked and volunteering is a selfless act. Career Day Speakers help the community by sharing real life experience.

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Volunteer Workshop Facilatators

December 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Volunteer Workshop Facilitators

Good Facilitators Motivate

1. A good volunteer facilitator motivates and encourages. When coming in to facilitate a group it is good have done homework on the organization. You may know your assignment in advance but if you are unclear double check with a school administer. Things happen and being prepared and organized can free your time up for other things.

2 Good Volunteer Facilitator Etiquette

There is such a thing as etiquette when we lead groups. Respect for people’s time is the number one complaint of people sharing common space. Know your audience as much as possible. Dialogue flows better when the comfort level is not anxiety ridden. Use nametags for you and for the group. Talk to the group and not at them.

3. Location, Location, Location

Make sure people know where to meet. A lot of time is lost from meetings because of poor communication. Offer e-maps in your mailings. Make sure there are plans in place in the event of inclement weather. A phone -tree with all group members listed is helpful in contacting members in the event that a pre planned event is cancelled.

4. Welcoming Committee

Make sure that each new peson coming through the door feels welcome. Name tags and a greet give a message that you care. Food and drink are always a draw. If funds are low turn meetings into a Pot Luck, this reduces the burden of cost on a few people and feeds everyone. This win-win situation now feeds people through community based fellowship.

5. Feedback

Ask for feedback from everyone involved in your experience. Managers can give first hand information on your progress in her company. What you offered worked and your enthusiasm for getting the job done both right and ahead of time have paid off.

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The Necessary Choice: Assisted Living

December 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
It seems an impossible decision, a thought that can never be spoken (never dared turned into a reality) — your parents are no longer able to sustain themselves. Their health has been weakened, their home has fallen into disrepair, and they cannot bear the burden of being alone. You think this somehow a dream. You will wake soon, you’re certain, and they will be as they once were: young and capable and needing nothing beyond affection. There will be no concerns to share. There will be no confusion. The world will be right once more.

It isn’t.

Your family is changing and you will have to change your perceptions with it.

It is a sad question that children must face daily: where to place their parents after they have proven themselves unable to be unsupervised. All would wish to bring them home, to offer the much needed care. But few have the rooms to spare or the finances needed to compensate for new arrivals. That leaves therefore only one alternative: assisted living.

Many cringe with this idea, certain it offers no value. It is believed to be an unnecessary expense and a far worse abandonment. But those who lack the precious space within their homes should instead understand the benefits of it.

Assisted living removes the fears of being alone. Individuals are instead able to enjoy new friends, new experiences and constant conversations. Caregivers — such as doctors, nurses and counselors — are available always to offer medical support, as well as to make the transition an easy one. And all household duties (such as cooking, cleaning and the other little complications) can be forgotten. The elderly are able to simply enjoy themselves.

And this is all a child could crave for his parents. You desire only the best for your family. Now you can offer it to them — a home without worry or obligation.

Filed Under: Society

Helping Others Helps Your Health

November 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Everyone has seen the benefit volunteering has for humanity. No matter what part of the world you are in, your community needs volunteers. While volunteering is needed in our world, helping others is good for the person volunteering too. People that volunteer are given a sense of fulfillment and enjoyment from giving to others because it feels good to help and it can improve their health.

Over the years many studies have been conducted on the benefits that volunteering can have on individuals in all age ranges. The social science analysis explore the mental incentive that helping others have on an individual and many believe that an act of kindness can increase the life of a volunteer and their health. These studies also show that people of all ages can improve their ailments by helping others.

Most studies have been on older volunteers, which prove that as a whole they tend to enjoy life more than those who do not give back to others. Older volunteers can improve their health over time by volunteering once or twice a week. Faster improvement is shown in volunteers that help five days a week. Individuals who volunteer for a long period of time have a better quality of life and alleviate their symptoms of mental illness such as depression.

Older volunteers also have a higher life expectancy than those that do not volunteer for the sake of others. Even a small portion of their week spent helping others increases their life over those who do nothing. The social aspect of volunteering can prevent a premature death in individuals who are older. Socializing gives older individuals a sense of fulfillment and gives them a reason to carry on. Many people who are forced to retire feel lost, which can speed up ailments and cause serious health problems, but volunteering gives them something to look forward to during their week.

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Getting Children Involved

November 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The main goal for every parent is to raise their child to be successful, respectful, and responsible, but the demands of society can make that difficult. Because of the demand of work, parents do not spend much time with their children, which leave them little time to teach them lessons school leave out. Parents learned when they were younger that helping others was the right thing to do and they participated in community service without realizing that is what they were doing.

A child will pick up on their parents desire to help others and it teaches them that everyone matters. Everyone knows a child will mimic his or her paren’s actions. If a parent is being selfish, they will learn to be selfish as well. However, if a child sees a parent doing good deeds for others in the community, they will mimic that behavior. Teaching a child to help others does not mean they have to be work with an organization; it can start in their neighborhood.

Children can learn the value of helping others by mowing the lawn or raking leaves for an elderly person in the neighborhood. They can offer to help carry their groceries into the house or change a light bulb they cannot reach. While the actions may seem to small to a parent, a child believes they are changing the lives of others based on their reactions to their kindness. A child can sense another person’s emotions and how happy they are making others by their actions. Without even giving the child a lesson, he or she is learning that helping others is proper.

Parents have the power to teach their children to become good people by getting them involved in the communicating by participating with them. All cities hold drives that help others in the community have food and clothing and parents can get their children involved.

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Are you a pro-society person?

November 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Frontispiece to Thomas Sprat's History of the ...
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A society is a community of people, or it could be people in general. We refer to society to indicate our friends, relatives, well-wishers and in general people we know. Being a society person is not an easy thing. Are you a pro-society person? Do you really heed to the calls of society? And why would you even bother doing it?

Society is an extension of man’s need to live in groups. Although times have changed this structure into more fragmented and disparate factions, a society is where man thrives. Everyone is cognizant of the fact that humans are not isolation-loving species. We do not breed in isolation. Neither do we uphold permanent solitude as natural bliss. Have you ever seen a person being as unhappy as in isolated incarceration, than in accompaniment?

If you are really wondering if you are pro-society person, then you can analyze these statements. When a person is having trouble lifting a heavy bag, you run to help that person. Two blocks away, you see smoke billowing and dancing its way into the sky. You get up and take action. A deep rain-crater has formed bang in the middle of a main public road. You sense that children and people travelling at night might be trouble, and immediately call the local public-works folks to fill the rain-crater. A large telephone pole looms dubiously in your neighborhood. You sense it’s weak on its knees and might come crashing down. You ring up the local telephone station, and get them to do something about it.

Now, if you are the kind of person who will do exactly as described in the above statements, you got the answer. You are the perfect pro-society person. Being a pro-society person gets you the kind of popularity and reverence that you might not get otherwise. People tend to appreciate and applaud pro-societal people. If you are a pro-society person, then rest assured you are an uncelebrated celebrity.

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