"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.