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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Angela2 on October 4, 2009, at 13:53:50
I'm trying to find somewhere to volunteer and have no idea where to start. I've been looking online. I do find some things that seem kinda interesting, and then I change my mind. I just really want to do something where I'm not tempted to skip it on some days or just blow it off completely and then it ends up on the list of things I've done and failed at.
Posted by Deneb on October 5, 2009, at 7:52:40
In reply to difficulty finding a volunteer gig, posted by Angela2 on October 4, 2009, at 13:53:50
How about finding some time limited volunteer work, something that doesn't require a weekly commitment?
Are there any major events coming up? Any drives or festivals?
That way you can volunteer for a few days or a week or something and be done with it and feel like you did a good thing. Then if you want to volunteer more, you can look for something else that requires more of a commitment.
Posted by Kath on October 5, 2009, at 10:19:08
In reply to Re: difficulty finding a volunteer gig » Angela2, posted by Deneb on October 5, 2009, at 7:52:40
Hi Angela,
I think Deneb's suggestion is really a good one.
When I wanted to do volunteer work once & didn't have a clue what, I found a local Volunteer Coordinating Agency.
I had an appointment, we explored my interests; what type of personality I have (introvert/extrovert/prefer one-on-one or groups etc) & we went over a list of available volunteer opportunities. It worked quite well & I ended up working with a 12 year old boy who was in a special school for kids who were finding it hard to fit into a regular school. My job was to give him a chance to socialize & have experience interacting with an adult on a one-to-one basis (at the end of my time with him, I received an invitation to his Bar Mitzvah, which I was very honoured to be included in! I was really nervous about going, because I had no idea what it would be like & I sometimes get stressed going to new things by myself. I went & enjoyed it & it was so nice seeing him being so socially comfortable even when he was the centre of attention.)
The other boy had trouble reading, so we'd read together. I quickly discovered that he was super-iterested in trucks, so I'd buy him magazines about 'monster trucks' - trucks that went out in mud-forests, etc. I found working with him more comfortable, & extremely rewarding, because there was a good focus.
I don't know if you live in a city or what, but if there's a Chamber of Commerce, they might know if such an agency exists. I'd also think that a Mental Health Association, Social Services Dept, maybe even the Mayor's office, or a hospital might be able to direct you as to where to find a 'pool' of volunteer jobs.
Best of luck Angela & keep us up to date on how it's going. I admire that you've thought this out & are going into to this in a well-planned manner.
hugs, Kath
Posted by Angela2 on October 5, 2009, at 13:52:49
In reply to difficulty finding a volunteer gig, posted by Angela2 on October 4, 2009, at 13:53:50
Deneb, that is a really good idea.
Kath, thanks for the support.
Well, I am thinking about seeing if this art venue in my city needs any volunteers. I am going to visit it first and see what it's like though, because I've never been there.
Today has been pretty productive, in terms of getting things done. I mowed the lawn, visited my aunt and drove my mom to work.
But while I was at my aunt's, she criticized me for not having a job. I just told her I look for employment on and off and right now I'm not looking and didn't want to talk about it. But It made me feel bad. I feel like I'm letting her down. Oh well. I know I'm doing the best I can.
Posted by Kath on October 5, 2009, at 18:42:49
In reply to Re: difficulty finding a volunteer gig, posted by Angela2 on October 5, 2009, at 13:52:49
> Well, I am thinking about seeing if this art venue in my city needs any volunteers. I am going to visit it first and see what it's like though, because I've never been there.~ Great idea! Sounds like it would be interesting. Let us know, okay?
> Today has been pretty productive, in terms of getting things done. I mowed the lawn, visited my aunt and drove my mom to work.~ Sounds pretty productive to moi.
:-)
> But while I was at my aunt's, she criticized me for not having a job. I just told her I look for employment on and off and right now I'm not looking and didn't want to talk about it.~ I really admire your directness. Once on chat, I asked you about something & you replied & then said you didn't want to discuss it, then talked about something else. I was blown away by your wonderful ability to know your healthy boundaries & calmly & pleasantly state them & move on!
> But It made me feel bad. I feel like I'm letting her down. Oh well. I know I'm doing the best I can.
~ I'm really sorry she criticized you for not having a job. I personally don't think that's very kind. Maybe you 'triggered' something in her from her past. I'm realizing that I get triggered sometimes by something in other people's lives & I'm also realizing that if that can happen to me, it happens to others also. I think also, that people don't necessarily know they're being triggered!
Yes you Are doing the best you can & I hope you're as pleased as I am for you, that you're giving yourself that acknowledgement.
I'm seeing a lot of wisdom happening, Angela.
:-))
((you))
love, Kath
Posted by Angela2 on October 9, 2009, at 17:45:44
In reply to Re: difficulty finding a volunteer gig » Angela2, posted by Kath on October 5, 2009, at 18:42:49
Well, I got a message from someone I contacted about working at a museum a while ago. I contacted them back and left them a message, and hopefully they will get back to me next week.
Posted by Kath on October 9, 2009, at 19:45:13
In reply to contacted someone » Kath, posted by Angela2 on October 9, 2009, at 17:45:44
Oh - a museum.....I think I'd love that! Hope it turns out that there's something there for you.
Ya know, maybe the way to go about it is to think of what you're interested in & then forge ahead & offer even if you don't know if there's a job or not.
Good luck Angela, xo Kath
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