Week 120

Positive post Sunday, June 2, 2019- Week 120. 

Volunteering is one of the most important, beneficial and rewarding actions we can take as human beings.  According to the Corporation for National & Community Service, many Americans agree.  In 2018, 77.4 million Americans volunteered an estimated 6.9 billion hours with an economic value of $167 billion.  I can’t even imagine how our churches, schools and overall communities would function without volunteers.

Have you ever wondered what keeps volunteers coming back, or in some cases not continuing to volunteer?  Ken Downer’s article titled, “Leading Volunteers: How to Keep Them Coming Back” provides some simple yet insightful steps on how to lead people who aren’t on your payroll.  Here’s the link: https://www.rapidstartleadership.com/leading-volunteers/.  

I have had the privilege of volunteering and leading volunteers for numerous organizations over many years and have often said, if you really want to test your leadership skills, lead volunteers who don’t have to be there and can leave at any time.  Ken’s example of volunteering at Feed My Starving Children is a strong testimony for how to create an experience that will keep volunteers volunteering.  I would also suggest that Ken’s article applies not only to leading volunteers, but also to leadership in general.

Let me close by acknowledging one of the most selfless and generous volunteers I know, my wife, Michele.  Michele’s extensive history of volunteering is creating a legacy of community service for our children and grandchildren.  With our grandson Christian moving on to middle school, this week marks the end of a chapter in her service to the students, teachers and parents at McKinley Elementary School in Redlands, the school that all 5 of our children and 3 of our 10 grandchildren attended.  

A very special thank you to the teachers and Michele’s fellow PTA leaders at McKinley who recognized her 29 years of volunteer service at the school by planting a blossoming pear tree with a nice plaque in the front of the school, a permanent reminder for us all of the importance and value of volunteering.  Michele was deeply moved and grateful to work along side so many passionate and caring human beings, many of whom have dedicated their lives to developing and educating children.

What opportunities do you see to volunteer and lead volunteers in your community?