"The world is gonna find you and your little gold ring."

Lord of the Rings reference!!!

Well, forum has once again come to a close.  I can't believe it's been an entire year since I wrote that.  Time flies so fast!  Can't believe it's time to face finals again.  On that note...

Oh look, another LotR reference, with Star Wars thrown in there for good measure!  Wait...

And there's some Harry Potter too.  Pretty good combination, I say. 

I could say a lot right now, but that's the point of this video.  So go watch and enjoy.  Happy finals, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Years.  :)  

P.S.  Please watch the video in HD!

"Buying beer and pretzels on your Visa card does not constitute proper use."

Our speaker this week at forum taught us how to be a millionaire, without winning the lottery...no for real!  Dr. Barry Morris is a professor emeritus of economics...that horrid, dreadful subject.  Although, if I could figure out how to build a time machine (I still think that'd make a GREAT capstone project...but anyway...), I'd totally go back in time to take him as my economics teacher, because I'm convinced one reason I don't like economics is my professor.

Anywho...no time for my rant on economics.

Dr. Morris helped found the Raymond Isbell Endowed Scholarship, which is a scholarship program where a teacher works an extra year after retirement and agrees to give away his or her salary to fund a scholarship for a student.  In addition to that, he serves on the University Advancement Foundation, which raises money for scholarships.  Obviously, Dr. Morris really cares about students and making sure we are well looked after.  Dr. Morris is also a Florence City Council Member...the most anit-government government official ever.

Dr. Morris gave a good spin on this whole civic engagement/service thing:  we have got to love ourselves enough to take care of ourselves mentally and physically so that we will be strong enough to help pull others up.  We can't be sagging and out of it and try to help others...it just doesn't work like that.  We must be able to dedicate ourselves to our family AND our community; it can't be one or the other.  Our family needs us as much as our community does.

Florence is a great community where we can live, work, and play, but communities don't get that way by happenstance.  There are a lot of people that are dedicated to making this community a good and pleasant one.  And if it's gonna stay that way, we have to not be so selfish and decide to lend a hand...or two!

But Dr. Morris brought taking care of our community back around to taking care of ourselves, and that's what he spent the majority of his talk on.  He advised us on making smart choices and not buying unnecessary things...such as a mustang.  Thankfully, I wouldn't consider myself a spender.  Considering the saying "It's better to give than to receive" is an adult concept, I suppose that means I'm all grown up...gasp!  I will be turning 20 this month!

Anyway, Dr. Morris reminded us that civic organizations are built around the concept of giving.  But what if we don't have anything to give because we're stupid and spend all our money?  Exactly!  "Star saving now and don't ever miss it and you'll be a millionaire."  ....see, easy!

No, really, I have an example.  I started working my first job in March of my junior year in high school.  The reason for getting a job was so that I could save my money and buy a truck.  My dad agreed to match me up to a certain amount.  I began saving from the first paycheck I got.  I averaged around $100 per week in savings.  By January, I had saved enough to buy me a truck.  That's right...only 9 months later.  Saving is a habit...a good habit...one we must train ourselves in if we are going to even TRY to live a comfortable life in the future.

All in all, I'm surprised Dave Ramsey didn't walk in the room, shake this guy's hand, and tell us all that he'd just been talking for Dr. Morris the entire time.  And Dave Ramsey's what's up.

Dr. Morris ended by giving us some more practical advice.  Start a budget, and always plan to have money set aside for expenses because you never know when something ridiculous is going to happen.  Like just this week, the hot water heater at my dad's house sorta kinda exploded a little bit.

"Water water everywhere, nor any drop to drink."
The insurance man and new floors will come, and our money will only shrink.

So it's a good thing my dad is a smart man who saves for a rainy (haha...sort of a pun) day.

So anyway, this was a lesson about what many American's no longer believe in...patience.  If we are patient, good things will eventually happen.  We have to learn to defer our happiness and help our community.

"We smuggle Jesus into the prison in cookies."

Dr. Tom Osborne came to speak at forum this week.  He was a professor of European history at UNA for 34 years, and he gets involved in the community because of his faith.  He told us that he was "reluctantly forced by inner and outer pressures" to become involved with the community.  He used to be very reluctant to do community work and would have to force himself to do it (because he knew it was the right thing to do, I assume).  It's human nature to be reluctant to do volunteer work.  But he also said that he always found a blessing out of volunteering while he was doing it.  Him saying that really hit me because that's exactly how I feel about volunteer work.  I am always reluctant to get started and dread having to go do it, but as soon as I'm there and I get started doing work, I always end up enjoying it so much more than I thought I would.  For example, I've spent a few hours at the Salvation Army these past couple weeks.  Everyday, before I get to the store, I don't want to go.  I would much rather go home and not worry about having to do volunteer hours.  But as soon as I get started doing my work (I've been dusting and organizing shelves so far), I really enjoy it.  I enjoy it because I know that I'm helping the employees of the store so they don't have to spend their time doing necessary but time-consuming work.  By me doing this work, the employees have more time to spend sorting and pricing clothing and goods, which is the reason they are really there.  Dr. Osborne said that practice is how to overcome the reluctance of volunteering, so hopefully my reluctance will disappear over time.

Anyway, Dr. Osborne serves as a deacon in the Episcopal Church.  His job is to "serve the poor and the needy," and he helps the church to engage needs in the community.  He has been involved with a prison ministry called Kairos for fifteen years.  Kairos is an organized, international, and interdenominational program that organizes a team and then spends all day with a group of prisoners for 3 1/2 days.  Kairos is the Greek word for "time" or, more specifically, "special time."  Dr. Osborne described this time in prison as God's special time.  The team does not leave the prison alone after the weekend; they make monthly visits back to the prison to see the prisoners.  They spend their time pouring love on these hard time inmates, something most of the people in these prisons have never had, and he said that he has seen some of the hardest, meanest prisoner's lives transformed through this program.

Dr. Osborne said the reason he got involved with this ministry is because in Matthew 25, Jesus tells us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in strangers, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit those in prison.  He had done all of the things on that list but visit those in prison.  He admitted that he did not want to get involved at first and that his resistance last two years, but he finally gave way to his resistance and found his joy.  He is now a Kairos junkie and has to go get his fix now and again.

He is also involved with the Help Center, which was founded 28 years ago by the churches in Lauderdale county and provides direct assistance to Lauderdale county residents.  They provide food, clothing, heat, and help pay medical and utility bills for those who can't afford it.  The Help Center is run entirely by volunteers.  Dr. Osborne became president of the board five years ago.  He said that one reason he really enjoys working with the Help Center is because 80% of the people he talks to as a Chaplin at the Help Center talk about the devastation of drugs on families...and 80% of people in prison are there because of drugs.  He finds that these two ministries are not so different after all.  I actually thought about volunteering here, but seeing as how they are only open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8-12, it was sort of impossible.

Dr. Osborne left us with a piercing question: where is your joy?  Not happiness, not pleasure, but joy.  I had to think about it for a second, but one place where I find joy is in my family.  I really love it when I get to spend time with them.  I also find my joy in Christ, my Savior who I always know has me in His arms when things are seemingly going wrong.

Dr. Osborne was definitely one of my favorite speakers this semester.  It was refreshing to hear from someone whose job is to reach out to those in need.

"I know I'm right every time, but I always like to be confirmed."

Mr. John Rusevlyan, the owner of Weichert/ProSouth Realty and the Immediate Past President of the Florence Rotary Club spoke at forum this week.  He has been a Realtor since 2005 and started his own business in 2008, which means he has seen nothing but hard times in the housing market.  Therefore, because of the recession, he learned not to waste, which he says is the new way of thinking in our society.  People have to constantly keep an eye on where their resources are going.

Change happens but knowing what we can do help direct is a good thing.  We have to begin getting involved with our community at a young age if we want to make a difference.

The Rotary Club was founded in 1905 as the world's first service club.  The organization was started as a place where men could fellowship together.  The club now has over 33,000 clubs in 200+ countries and 1.2 million members.  The club also serves as a networking opportunity.

Their responsibilities are to increase membership, participate in service projects, support the rotary club financially, and develop leaders capable of serving beyond the club level.  The responsibility of individual members is service, recruitment and retention, and attendance (you've got to participate!).

The Rotary Club offers professorial diversity, which enhances the club's social atmosphere.  People in different careers have different mindsets, and when they all get together, there's a plethora of different ideas and ways to look a problems.

The objects of the Rotary Club are as follows:

• encourage and foster idea of service
• getting to know people, even a little bit, is a opportunity for service
• get involved!  "It takes money, but it also takes people."
• set high ethical standards in businesses and professions (integrity)
• apply ideal service in all aspects of life by being consistent in what you do and how you do it
• advance international understanding, goodwill, and peace through businesses around the world
• "improve health, support education, and alleviate poverty"

Mr. Rusevlyan mentioned many times that fellowship, along with service, is a huge part of the rotary club.  The club offers a place where different people can get together on a regular basis to discuss improving life in their community.

"Sometimes we make things way to hard."

The Rotary Club saw a need and acted on it--polio.  They began PolioPlus, which is a cause to get rid of the polio disease.  They took this challenge on in the early 80s.  Many people were scared to get involved and some didn't have the time.  But someone who isn't scared is the one who can make a difference in the world.  Since then, about 2 billion children under the age of 5 have been vaccinated and only 3 countries in the world are left to get the vaccination, but those countries will not allow the Rotary Club in the boarders for religious reasons. 

The local cause of the Rotary Club in Florence is called the Shoals Scholar Dollars.  This program will pay for students to attend Northwest Shoals Community College for twos years.  The students have to have a 2.5 GPA and be a generally good kid with a financial need to qualify.  Although this idea has met lots of resentment, the club knew they had to start something, somewhere.  They have been raising money for the last few years and are prepared to start this program for 2014 seniors.  

Mr. Rusevlyan gave us the Four Way Test, which is the way they always end their meetings.  But these questions can also be used in everyday life to question decisions that we make:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

As humans, we hold on to what we think works.  Many organizations do not cater to young people, but even though we haven't been invited to get involved, we shouldn't wait.  We should make it a point to get involved ourself.  We cannot wait for something, we have to make something happen.  

Mr. Rusevlyan gave us two pieces of advice:

Be adaptive.

Know you're good and be willing to work. 

Service Update:

I volunteered at the Salvation Army last week for a couple of hours and I'm going back this week.  I'm up to about 5 hours of service and will probably finish pretty soon.

"Hurricane Sandy is not in the budget."

Our speaker at forum this week was supposed to be Elizabeth Moore from Red Cross.  However, with Hurricane Sandy causing devastation across the Northeast last week, she is staying very busy.  So our director, Dr. Vince Brewton, told us a little bit about the Red Cross instead.

The Red Cross has four main functions (three of which I knew about already):

1. Disaster Relief-  The Red Cross provides relief from hurricanes, tornadoes, house fire, etc.  For example, Red Cross is a huge presence in New York and New Jersey at the moment.  There are so many people without power in need of food, water, and bed that need help, and Red Cross is one organization that helps them.  Red Cross also helped out after the April 27 tornadoes that ravaged north Alabama last year by handing out food and water and clothes. 
2. Training- Red Cross provides training for lifeguards, first aid, CPR, white water rescue, and babysitting.  
3. Blood Collectors- This is the first thing that always comes to my mind when I think of Red Cross.  At Russellville High School, the National Honor Society hosted a blood drive each January.  I gave blood my senior year.  Besides kinda freaking out a little bit, everything was cool!  But giving blood is good...I just need to work up the courage to do it again. 
4. Official liaison between the public and those in military service- Okay, this one I didn't know about.  But I think it's great.  Those who have family members serving in the military need a way to be guaranteed contact with their loved ones.  Red Cross is where they can turn when they cannot get in contact with their loved ones any other way. 

I also learned that the Red Cross operates under different names when in different countries.  When they are in a country with a mostly Muslim population, they use the Red Crescent, and in countries with a large Jewish population, they use the Red Diamond.      

This year, I helped with the Huff 'n Puff on the Bluff 15K and had a lot of fun.  I intend to help again next year as well.  

In other news, unrelated to the Red Cross, Vince talked a lot about people who don't keep their word, such as paid executives who decide that working for a non-profit organization is not worth their time.  He encouraged us to hang around with any organization that drags its feet.  These organizations meet a need, and if we want to meet that same need, we could either start our own organization (and divide the resources) or wait.  He also encouraged us to keep an eye on the integrity of the company we are volunteering for.

I'm probably going to volunteer at the soup kitchen, as soon as I figure out where it is, and find the time to do so.  I'm also still interested in volunteering with the Salvation Army and possibly a couple other places.  Thankfully, my weekend job just cut Saturdays off the week, so my Saturdays are now open again.  But I'm probably still gonna have to volunteer sometime during the week since I go home every weekend.  I'll keep you updated!

"I feel like an old man...worried about the trash can on the street. What have I become!?"

The speaker at forum this week was definitely the opposite of an old man.  Mr. Bradley Dean is the creative director/photographer/designer/graphic designer/whatever at Billy Reid, Inc.  He graduated from UNA, where he was able to make connections to help him out in his professional life.  His job is to help Billy Reid, Inc. compete successfully in a world with a New York mindset...while being in Muscle Shoals.

Mr. Dean is a young man who has gotten involved in the community by helping out in places he is interested in.  He proposed the question of how you make change in the area you live in.  One of the ways he answered that question was working.  He encouraged us to pour hard work into our working lives.  Billy Reid encourages volunteerism in his company.  One example of how he is promoting a better environment is going in withjAlabama Channin to produce completely organic cotton.  This cotton field also helps promote local living, instead of having to truck supplies in from cross-country. 

Mr. Dean accidentally got involved in civic engagement by renovating his house.  He lives in a historic house in downtown Florence.  When he began renovating his house, he was concerned by the fact that no one asked him what he was doing.  What if he had totally destroyed the historic home?  He became a part of the Heritage Preservation Inc., which promotes historic preservation.  They attempt to regulate home renovations and downtown renovations in Florence.  By becoming involved with this group (just by showing up to a meeting!), Mr. Dean realized that being civically involved allows him to keep an eye out for his community and to get a hand in to help. 

Mr. Dean is also involved with the Florence Historical Board, where he realized there was a need for a historical check board to make sure someone was watching renovations in downtown Florence.  Downtown Florence Unlimited helps with traffic, commerce, and promoting social activities such as First Fridays.  He also heads desgin on the Florence Website Committee.  Mr. Dean enjoys getting involved and coming up with new ideas to keep downtown Florence alive and well.

Mr. Dean reminded us, once again, to get involved doing something you love.  I really liked his volunteer engagements because they were unique and different from anything else we've heard this semester.  

He also reminded us that we don't all have to be a leader.  For someone to be a leader, they must have followers, and sometimes being the first follower is better than being the leader.  Because the first follower turns one lone nut into a leader.  I could go on and on about the awesomeness of being the first follower and putting yourself on the line along with the leader, but I think I'm just going to be cliche and show this video:

Being the first follower appeals to me because I don't like to stand alone.  But I am willing to stand with another person.  

Mr. Dean reminded us that we don't always have to be a leader.  We're young, and we have a lot to learn.  We can learn by listening and soaking up what the older people are talking about.  A young person in a leadership role must listen to the older people.  

He also talked a lot about a strong community.  Communities need tons of investment to get them started and to keep them sustained.  Mr. Dean believes that the future of this country is centralized downtowns with culture and heritage.  That is one reason why he is so involved in downtown Florence.  He saw a problem, got involved, and worked to fix it.  

Mr. Dean was a good speaker.  It was obvious he was nervous, but that made his lecture authentic.  

"You're not good enough to volunteer...now I'm sorry, that's crap."

Mrs. Leslie Tomlinson is a sustaining member of the Junior League of the Shoals, with is backed by the Association of Junior League International (AJLI).  First, I had no idea what a Junior League was until halfway through class this week (I kind of wish she would have explained exactly what it was before she began her presentation, instead of telling about it in the middle; that way, I could have understood more of the beginning of her presentation).  That being said, I do know what a Junior League is now:  an organization of women devoted to building a better local community.

Mrs. Tomlinson began by asking the question, "What do you do when you have multiple degrees but you live in a place that doesn't offer a job in your degree?"  Her answer?  Volunteer!  She was asked to join the Muscle Shoals District Service League (which became the Junior League of the Shoals in 2006 after a two-year process).  The MSDSL was apparently more exclusive and selective in their members and becoming a Junior League allowed for more mobility and a more open attitude.  Mrs. Tomlinson said that the Junior League looks to be inviting to all women regardless of race, age, class, or education.  Active members are required to be involved for 6-10 years, doing about 60 volunteer hours a year, plus attending meetings.  After serving that time, they become sustaining members and can be as involved in volunteer work as they please.

The Junior League was started by a 19 year old woman in New York who wanted to contribute to society but had no way to.  By 1921, there were over 30 Junior League groups, and the AJLI was formed, which is the umbrella group who provides guidance, support, and leadership development opportunities to all leagues.  There are currently 293 Junior Leagues in Canada, Mexico, the US, and the UK, with over 155,000 members.

What the Junior League Does:

• promote volunteerism
• develop the potential for women
• improve communities 
• address critical needs of community
• meet women where they are
• provide networking and social opportunities

Being in the Junior League is like having a non-paying job, and Mrs. Tomlinson said, "Time is more precious than money."  She enjoys being part of a changing organization, open to all women (working or not).  Being part of the Junior League means that you can become part of a Junior League in any other city as well.  The idea behind this group is that you shouldn't be stagnant; the group is always changing.  

Mrs. Tomlinson was a very energetic speaker, but she didn't sell me on wanting to join the Junior League (which women in a college town can't join until they are 24).  If I decide to continue volunteering ample amounts of my time when I'm older, I will probably not do it through a structured group with strict guidelines.  I will, more than likely, volunteer through my church.  

"I promise, I'm not a politician."

Mr. Jackie Hendrix, Chairman of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, began with an icebreaker (which he told us to get used to).  He then explained what the Chamber of Commerce is and what it does before telling us about his volunteer activity.  He is on the scholarship board at Northwest Shoals Community college, on the Home Builder's Association board (has been since he was 22), and used to be on the Red Cross board. The first reason he gave us for why he can be involved in so many things that take up a good portion of time is because he doesn't have any children.  But he also reminded us that we simply have to make it a point to volunteer.  He also has a problem saying no (a problem I also have...when it comes to some things).

Besides volunteering for the sole purpose of reaching out to the community, Mr. Hendrix recommended volunteering in order to network with people and to be able to include volunteer activities on our resumes.  Being involved looks good, and networking allows us to build connections that will one day (hopefully) help us find a job.  Networking also allows people to not just find a job, but advance the job they already have.  Mr. Hendrix's opinion is that volunteering for slightly selfish reasons (wanting to network) is okay, as long as it is not the main reason.  He looks upon volunteering as a win-win situation.  He advised us not to turn down opportunities for selfish reasons.  (Example:  I just don't want to.)

Personally, I find it very hard to network with people because I am not a people person and cannot strike up a conversation with just anyone.  I become very comfortable around certain people and then have trouble branching out.  (It took me the good part of the first semester of college to become comfortable living in Lafayette and interacting with the people I now call my friends.)  I realize, if I am going to become a professional person one day, connections are essential and networking is how I establish connections, but I"m definitely going to have to work on my people skills.  Mr. Hendrix did give us some help on how to work the crowd:  ask questions, ask follow-up questions, use names in conversations to remember the names, and be bold.

The 80/20 rule applies to every part of life (which, someone else also just mentioned in a presentation just this week).  It means that 20% of the people do 80% of the work.  Mr. Hendrix warned us to not be the 80% of people who do nothing.  "Don't be bashful," he said.  Get involved early and passionate about whatever it is you do.  He, like previous speakers, emphasized that getting involved is a social responsibility.

Mr. Hendrix also reminded us that upsetting people is okay (yikes!  I hate upsetting people...I am such a people-pleaser).  But sometimes--rather, usually--upsetting people is the only way to advance something you really want done.

He also reminded us to stay balance and to not let things get out of control, which can happen very quickly if we are not careful.  I also learned the meaning of Peter's Principle, which is promoting someone to the level of incompetence.

Update on volunteer activity:  I've signed up to help with the BBBS gift wrap fund raiser in December.

"Orange is the new khaki."

Dr. John Lane is an ordinary citizen--well, maybe not so ordinary; he's a periodontist, which most ordinary citizens are not, but that's not the point.  Dr. Lane is the epitome of volunteerism.  It's not just a side-hobby; it's part of his life (and his family's life).  

Before I begin, I would just like to make an interesting note that Dr. Lane voiced what is going on in my life:  he went to college because that's what you do.  He began to major in chemical engineering (which is what my dad wanted me to do) but changed his mind and pursued dentistry at the last minute.  He thought he was going to hate dentistry (just like I think I'm going to hate Accounting, the major I think I'm going to choose), but he ended up loving his job and still loves it to this day. 

Okay, I'm done with the woe-is-me-so-I'm-gonna-compare-my-life-to-this-guy introductory material. 

Dr. Lane began his talk with a definition of civic engagement, saying that it is a civil responsibility built into the constitution and that we are called to be "a social participant in a democratic society."  He gave us three examples of civic responsibility, cornerstones of democracy: 

1. Voting:  It is honestly scary how many people DON'T vote.  The highest percentage of people that have ever voted was in 1960 at 63% (that's not even a third!!!) and usual turnout for midterm elections is about 37%.  (Because, apparently, we don't care who our senators are).  Seriously...it's just the future and leadership of our country that we are ignoring.  I, for one, despise politics, but I've exercised my right to vote every possible time since I've turned 18 (which is only two...but still, you get my point).  If you don't vote, you don't get to complain about the leadership.
2. Jury Duty:  that horrible, horrific time that you are forced to sit in court.  Bleh.  But it's still a civic responsibility, and only 25-40% of people usually show up for it.  This is a "put your big girl panties on and deal with it" time.  But let's see how well I take my own advice when I'm called for duty.
3. Volunteering:  Alright, this is the point of this blog, so I'll continue below:

Funnily enough, people in the prime of life (35-54) have the highest rate of volunteering.  Also, not surprisingly, college graduates are more likely to volunteer than other people.  Going to college raises people's awareness of other's needs.  

Dr. Lane volunteers in a variety of places:

• The Northwest Alabama Community Health and Dental Clinic was founded by the Tri-county Dental Society as a place where people can receive nearly free ($10) dental care.  

• United Cerebral Palsy raises money to help families with children with cerebral palsy.  They offer physical, speech, and occupational therapy for children.  One of Dr. Lane's five children passed away from cerebral palsy, and he has both received help from and given back to UCP.  UCP sponsors a Life Without Limits half-marathon to raise money, which Dr. Lane and his family help with each year.  

• The Healing Place is another place that Dr. Lane and his family volunteer at.  The Healing Place helped the entire family through the death of their son James.  Dr. Lane enjoys giving back to the place that helped him so much. 

• Camp McDowell is an episcopal church camp that Dr. Lane and his family volunteer at (especially his son Thomas).  They are the lead doners in a building project called Bethany Village that will be 100% accessible to those with disabilities. 

Final thoughts:

"Giving is more than money, but it is never less than money."  We all have talent and time, and one day, hopefully, we will have money to give to organizations.  But right now, as college students, we have talent and time to give to organizations.  You may not live what you profess, but you will always live what you believe.  Material possessions only make us feel good for a short time, and there's a limit to how much we can buy.  Giving doesn't have an expiration date, and there's no limit to how much we can give. 

Dr. Lane chose things that he was already intimately involved in, and those things were what he decided to commit his time to.  This is also how I need to view which organizations to get involved with, which is something I'm still thinking about. 

"I like it when my big sister gives me hugs."

Gina Mashburn is the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Shoals.  The BBBS program is supported by United Way and helps children who need additional adult role models in their lives.  Many children are from single-parent households or have parents who do not pay attention to them, and this program offers children the chance to have an adult (preferably of the same gender) invest in their lives.  By investing one on one time alone with a child, mentors can really impact the child's life by showing him or her that there is someone who cares so spend time with them.

BBBS has two school based programs (in Sheffield and Red Bay) where mentors spend an hour a week with a child at school to help with homework and simply to talk with them.  In the community based program, mentors include a child in their everyday lives (movies, football games, etc.) for an hour or two a week.  Matches are made based on the interests and hobbies of both the children and the mentors so that both parties feel comfortable with each other.

The application process isn't difficult but does require an interview and, obviously, a background check.

BBBS does fundraisers throughout the year (including a gift wrapping fundraiser, a fishing tournament, and a bowling fundraiser), which offer other volunteer opportunities.  Although I don't think I want to apply to be a big sister (not sure how good a big sister I'd be...maybe I should ask my little brother), I am definitely thinking about volunteering at the gift wrapping fundraiser in late November and December.

Mrs Mashburn was very nice and knowledgeable about BBBS, and I enjoyed hearing some of her life-changing stories she's encountered while working for BBBS.

Live United

Emily Baker is the director of Success by 6, a program of United Way of the Shoals that fosters early childhood learning.  Mrs. Baker recently graduated from UNA (and when I say recently, I mean May).  While at UNA, she was involved in all types of agencies, nonprofits, and child development: she started as soon as her freshmen year, and she told us time and time again--how many times have we heard this?--that experience MATTERS!  She became the director of SB6 in April, a month before she graduated, which is amazing!  She gave us advice on making connections and networking, advising us not to wait until it's too late.

She is also very knowledgeable about SB6 and early childhood development, as well she should be.  United Way focuses on education, income, and health, and they support about 40 different services/agencies, SB6 being one of them.  Early learning is one of United Way's three strategic priorities, so SB6 fits right into United Way's goals.  The Florence SB6 program focuses on early childhood literacy.  Mrs. Baker reminded us how early childhood development affects everyone, because today's children are tomorrow's workforce.  Having a well developed childhood also helps break the cycle of poverty.

90% of a child's brain develops in the first 5 years of life and the level of vocabulary determines a child's later reading comprehension and even whether they will graduate.  Children learn in all kinds of ways--cognitively, emotionally, and socially.  So that means just playing with a child helps them learn!  And there are many children who do not live in a stimulating environment, which will hurt them later in life.

SB6 currently has two programs to benefit early learning:

1. Jr. Reads is a book giveaway program.  Children's books are expensive but important.  Through this program, families have access to books they might not otherwise be able to afford. 
2. Better Beginnings is a volunteer based program where volunteers go to work in day cares to engage children in play and to keep them busy and constantly using their brain. 

In the future, SB6 wants to add more programs to benefit teenage parents, foster children, and pregnant mothers.  Two upcoming programs are: 

1. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library will be a program that will provide one book a month to a child until they turn five years old.  The program will be free for the families and allow children the excitement of new books every month.  SB6 is going to have to do some major fundraising before they are able to kick off this program. 
2. Text4Baby will be a program that will provide pregnant woman with information, through text message, they need to know about taking care of their bodies and children.

Mrs. Baker was a great speaker, and SB6 definitely seems like a fun program to get involved with--and not just because it's the Honors Program's philanthropy.  Helping kids learn really does impact the future of this country (and, let's be honest, our future: who's going to be taking care of us in the nursing homes?).  I'm probably going to get involved here with SB6.   

"Look, at Hardees, you can get a cheeseburger with fries for free."

"No, Grandpoppy, that means free internet."

Mrs. Kay Parker from the Healing Place spoke at forum this week.  Besides demonstrating an excellent three point speech to us, Mrs. Parker was nice, funny, and spoke honestly about her relationship with God, stating very often that God will pull you through the hard places and to keep on trusting Him.

You "never know where you're going, but you're going somewhere."  And "one thing always leads to another."  These two quotes from Mrs. Parker sort of describe my life at the moment.  I literally have no clue where I'm headed in life right now, so it's comforting to be reminded that I'll eventually end up somewhere and that I'll probably figure out where that's going to be sooner than later.  Of course, I always need to leave room open to be surprised because the roads of life can be a little windy.

This is a summary of the advice Mrs. Parker gave us (that really hit home for me):

• What work would I do if I didn't get paid for it?
• Don't be afraid to try on different majors to see how they fit. 
• Do what I want to do, not what others want me to do.
• "God can work through ordinary people to do extraordinary things."
• Fill in the blank "I was born to...." and never work another day in your life.

The Healing Place helps grieving children deal with family issues.  They also teach parents and guardians how to help their grieving children.  In establishing the Healing Place in Florence, Mrs. Parker and the others went through a few difficult times, where God was definitely responsible for the final coming together of all the pieces of the puzzle.  At the Healing Place, volunteers play with the children, just to give them some normalcy and for the children to realize that they are not alone and that someone cares for them. 

Mrs. Parker also gave us four ways to relieve tension and deal with stress:

1. Be honest with self and maybe another person (who won't judge you) and God. 
2. Be expressive. (Write, cry, pray, shout)
3. Be physical.  (Hit something, throw things)
4. Be aware of what I keep telling myself that is bothering me and what I need to forgive myself of. 

"Forget perfect.  It's nonexistent."  Don't let sadness, anger, fear, or guilt get out of hand.  Seek help and be peaceful.  

At the end of forum, Mrs. Parker called us out by saying it's easy to complain about what's wrong.  What's hard is getting up and doing something about it.  Small changes can makes a difference, and we should focus on what we can do, not what we can't.  

Mrs. Parker was the epitome of a motivational speaker--I suppose that comes from teaching grief classes for so long.  Listening to her was an absolute blast, and I was honestly surprised when class was over.  I would definitely love it if all our speakers this year were as awesome as Mrs. Parker.  Now, there are different types of awesome.  Mrs. Parker wasn't the fireworks display most people probably think of when I use the word awesome.  Mrs. Parker was soft-spoken and quiet but easy to listen to and understand, and it was obvious she cared about us and helping us as much as she wanted us to volunteer with the Healing Place. 

I'm not sure if I'll volunteer at the Healing Place this semester.  It involves working with kids, which was something I mentioned in my last blog, and it would probably be very fulfilling to love on some kids a little bit.  I'll keep the blog updated on my service and whether I decide to volunteer at the Healing Place.

Ready, Set, Serve

Get ready, it's year two of honor's forum!  And this time it's all about service.  Civic Engagement is the name of forum this year.  

So, I've actually already done some service work this semester through Lion's Lend a Hand.  A group of Honor's Program people spent the day working at a historic house for Order of the Confederate Rose, a women's society whose purpose is to preserve Southern culture.  Lots of people pulled weeds, trimmed hedges, or painted.  My job that day was to paint--no big, really.  But when the twenty of us finished the little jobs we were doing that, the house looked so much better!  That goes to show that effort goes a long way.  

This upcoming semester, I'm supposed to do 10-15 hours of community service and then use those service opportunities to give me an idea for a platform of service to aid me in continuing service for the rest of my time at UNA.  To be completely honest, I don't know what kind of platform to make out.  If I had to decide on one right now, I'd say the environment.  I had fun at Lion's Lend a Hand, and last year, I did a little bit of volunteer work by picking weeds at the Arc of the Shoals.  However, I know there are plenty of other kinds of work out there, and I'm likely to find one more suitable for me.  

With that said, my plan for this semester is to be open to new ideas and serve in a variety of places.  I am not a naturally outgoing person, so finding work that is behind the scenes (such as sorting clothing at the Salvation Army) is preferable to me.  However, I do enjoy kids and would probably find satisfaction working with children.  

By the end of this semester, I hope to have made a difference, gotten some good work done, and had fun while doing it!