Posted by Racer on April 15, 2000, at 23:27:00
In reply to Follow-up, posted by In Need on April 15, 2000, at 17:01:33
Helping people is a great thing. And you know what? It can also help you more directly than you know.
My whole career began because I got all the experience I could in my chosen field as a volunteer in non-profits. Those experiences strenghthened my skills in training, computers, administration, writing, public speaking, charitable begging, and everything else I need except spelling! If you want some other reasons to explore your options in that area:
1. Most volunteer opportunities give you an excuse to LEAVE THE HOUSE! If you're at all like me, depression will lock you into your own bedroom, let alone your own house. Volunteering means getting your attention outside of yourself, and usually getting your body out of the house.
2. Someone wants you. What a concept! Here I sit, too disgusting to stand myself, yet someone out there is hoping that I'll show up and do some good. Someone will smile and be happy to see me. Kewl! (Blood donation is another of this sort of feel-good, BTW)
3. Volunteering is a great way to meet people and make friends. Some of my best and most valued friends have come into my life through non-profit involvement. I can't say enough about it.
4. Financial gain. If you work it right, many non-profits pay better than for-profits. Just don't count on it, and expect to spend a lot of time living on Peanut Butter Sandwiches, since it'll be all you can afford if you try to make it a full time job.
5. Experience of the world you can't get any other way. There are things you'll learn in any non-profit which you'd never see otherwise. And watching to find those things can be fun.
6. Feeling good about what you're doing can make a major difference in your life and in your outlook.
After more than ten years in the non-profit world, I can't say enough about it. It's a great place to learn better habits of life, from setting boundaries to interacting normally with others. It's safer than the average job, in that you usually won't be financially devastated if it doesn't work out, and the people you work with are usually so overjoyed to have any help at all that they'll adjust as well as possible if you show up at all, never mind your condition when you do. (One rule: show up sober. That's been the biggest problem I've had with volunteers over the years! You'd be amazed at the condition of some bozos I've tried to work with!)
To find local volunteer opportunities in your area, check out the local downtown association or chamber of commerce. Your city or county government may have a volunteer coordinator, but their job is largely finding places for miscreants to do community service.
Best luck, and much support if your decide to try something along these lines. (And remember: many volunteer based organizations need people to make tons of telephone calls, or stuff envelopes, or write articles. In other words, things you can usually do at home... Alone... If you want to help, but without climbing out of your pajamas...)
poster:Racer
thread:29931
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000411/msgs/30180.html