Volunteering, Take 2

Last year at school I volunteered for four separate projects, three of which were weekly or bi-monthly.  At the end of the school year I vowed that I would need to curb my enthusiasm for trying to help with everything.  I know four doesn't seem like much, but I also work, albeit from home, part time, and volunteer for a local non-profit group.  Four was definitely too much.

Unfortunately I found myself at the school over the summer speaking with one of the teachers, and having her tell me how she hopes I'll come back to help because she lost an assistant.  And yes, I'd like to help but it depends upon my client workload and...

Yesterday we went to the school for a "meet the teacher" event.  I got a wave from the PTA President.  Uh oh - there's now face recognition. :)  So, my son comes home happy from the event and I come home with a few stacks of paperwork.  Our school has a lot of activities and events.  I can't even keep up with most of them.  I already signed up at the end of last year to participate/chair/help/whatever with two of them - one monthly and one one-time.  But here was this list in my packet of all the other events needing help.  As I'm reading it last night I could have put my initials next to fifteen different items.  Instead, I put the packet away and will look at it today with  fresh mind.

I like to volunteer.  First, it gets me out of the house.  I don't have any local friends, so it helps to get out and communication with other adults.  Second, I want to show my son a good example.  He actually comes with me to my non-profit group meetings, and we joke that he's my assistant.  He's more than happy to help out, and I like that.  Third - help is needed.  And if I have the time, why don't I help?  Fourth - I learn a lot.  Since I started my assortment of volunteer efforts about three years ago, I've learned how schools function, I've learned where practically every book in the library is, I've learned the socio-political struggles that go on behind the scenes of non-profit organizations, I've learned that communities aren't necessarily charitable, and that certain social groups have a strangle-hold on politics.

I've also learned that there is a small handful of people giving thousands of hours of time to make big things happen.  And I like that.

I need to sit down today and decide where my efforts are going to be this year.  I can't do it all.  I need to take care of me, my family, my house, and my clients.  But there will definitely be some breaks in between and my initials are going to be put on at least three different events...maybe four.