We are all busy people with a lot on our plates, but that doesn’t mean we should forget about what’s important. Volunteering is an opportunity to give back and provide support for causes that you care about. In this blog post, I will share the places I volunteer and why. Your time is worth a great deal to organizations, so even if you can’t donate money, they will likely appreciate the time you give just as much… if not more!
Volunteering provides an opportunity to build new friendships while learning more about an organization. Volunteering as an individual is a great way to have some time for yourself and be away from all of the distractions that come with work. Volunteering can also teach you valuable skills like how to deal with difficult people or situations, which may help in your career down the road.
In this post I will share what volunteering means to me and the places I have chosen to volunteer. Volunteering has been an essential part of my life for the past few years, but it wasn’t always that way. I have chosen different organizations that represent a variety of ways you can volunteer. Having these things during the year that was 2020 helped keep me in touch with those in my neighborhood, city and throughout the world!
Volunteering at PMI Atlanta Chapter as the Entertainment Forum Program Manager is an opportunity to work with the local chapter of leadership of Project Management Institute. It was a great way for me to get involved with others in the Project management profession and make some friends I would not have met otherwise.
Doraville Art (DART) is a non-profit organization to create and encourage art in the city of Doraville to the benefit of the community through advocacy, education and opportunity. I may not be an artist but having worked in Non-Profit Arts and Culture Organizations for over twenty years I know how important it is to have accessible and inclusive art. DART put a 9-foot colored dinosaur in a local park!!! how fun is that?
City of Doraville Sesquicentennial Committee, I am a thirteen-year resident of Doraville and wanted to give back. The committee is charged with marking the city’s 150th anniversary with yearlong celebrations in 2021. Even in Masks we had a great BBQ in a neighborhood park. How often do you get to serve your Chief of Police a freshly cooked meal?
Doraville Unity Garden lets me pretend I have a green thumb! I am not a great gardener, but it is fun to try a grow a few things, share with neighbors and spend some time playing in the dirt and mulch! I even donated a compost bin to make the weeds do a little work! Who needs a gym membership when you are digging and hauling and weeding a community Garden regularly.
So, these are the four things I love getting to volunteer for. It does mean I have 3 nights a month with evening meetings, some weekend hours at events or meetings, but the time I spend volunteering with these groups is a gift to me.
Many people are looking for ways to give back and feel good about themselves but have limited time or resources. Volunteering has been the solution for me! Maybe it will be your answer too?
What volunteer project do you want to try next?