Volunteer | Pad Patter 1.12

[fruitysuet]

Nothing recently, but in the past I've done a few things. I was Secretary for the local chamber of commerce, Secretary for an annual Vintage Steam Engine Event, then I was on a small committee that ran the village Mother & Toddler Group (Treasurer) and progressed to Treasurer/Secretary at different times for the Pre-school and then onto the PTA committee as Secretary for a couple of years. I got a bit burned out at that point, plus dealing with some of the toxic parents was too stressful at a time in my life when I was dealing with other major stressful events, so I gave it up.

I really enjoyed my time with the Mother and Toddler Group, it was a lovely group of mums and we expanded our opening hours threefold, being used by families from a wider area than just the village.

 

[Nemla]

At the moment only in a charity shop (supporting a veterinarian clinic for strays,and abandoned animals. ) I do the bookshop,and God help me the Facebook page,after the woman who did it before,had a stupid argument with some o e,and quit. Before that single events,like bazaars in aid of different organizations.
Used to belong to a women's club,where we took turns to visit ,when members were in hospital . But that's it really.

 

[Scrapping with Liz]

I am the director of our homeschool group...I do get paid...but for the pay and the amount of extra work I put into it, it's pretty much volunteer. LOL! I do love it though!

I teach at our church too. I randomly volunteer at our pregnancy care center.

 

[rach3975]

Pre-Covid I volunteered at my children's school and with my daughter's girl scout troop. Then both stopped allowing extra people due to the pandemic. At the end of last school year my youngest graduated from our elementary school and quit GS, so I guess I won't be going back to either of those!

I sometimes joke that my paid part time job is half paid, half volunteer. I'm a preschool teacher. I get paid for the hours I'm with the kids plus a little more time for cleanup and setup each day. The reality is that like most teaching positions, there's no way to do a good job if you only work your paid hours. So I put in a lot of "volunteer" hours there. In addition to my preschool job, within the last year I started subbing in the public schools a few times a month and went back to graduate school to get certified in early childhood special ed. With all of that, I don't feel like I have any extra time to volunteer right now. One day I'll get back to doing more volunteer work, probably either with kids or with a group that's focused on my son's genetic disorder.

 

[bestcee]

whoever in their right mind thought that new parents would be good nursery volunteers is beyond me - we couldn't have our kids in there unless we volunteered once a month. It was horrible).

I try to avoid parents having to teach their child's class at church unless they want to. I know I like not having my kid on Sunday - he behaves better for others.

I loved volunteering for the book fair! That was one of my favorite PTA volunteer opportunities!

I did that in the fall! I loved helping the kids pick out books!

I'm a lawyer, so I've debated being a CASA -- court appointed special advocate for kids in the legal system -- but that's a huge commitment so I'm not sure about it.

That sounds like a huge commitment! Would it be a huge reward for you too? It seems like it'd be a really hard job emotionally.

I got a bit burned out at that point,

Totally get that! It's why I avoided all of the open positions in the PTA!

the Facebook page,after the woman who did it before,had a stupid argument with some o e,and quit.

This made me laugh. Not that you are in charge of the Facebook group, but that someone just up and quit over an argument. Because I totally can see that!

I am the director of our homeschool group...I do get paid...but for the pay and the amount of extra work I put into it, it's pretty much volunteer.

That should be another question! What job do you have that feels like volunteer because of all the hours!

 

[bestcee]

With all of that, I don't feel like I have any extra time to volunteer right now.

Oh my gosh! I feel tired just reading all that! I don't think you have time to add volunteer work.

 

[bcgal00]

I used to volunteer for some craft classes with the brownies years ago. I always thought it would be fun to volunteer at the SPCA, walking the dogs but now that I have two of my own I don't have time to do that. My aussie needs exercise every day.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

LOL! That made me laugh out loud!!!

I called them our pack's "plates of shame" ... really how hard is it to remember to bring your mess kit when you're camping??? And you shouldn't tell the newspaper editor that you never read her pack emails or newsletter, and for heaven's sake DON'T BLAME YOUR WIFE.

The only volunteer position I've refused to serve in was as pack scoutmaster, nope not getting up there in front all of those people.

 

[tinkerbell1112]

I've certainly put in my time over the years! Cub Scout leader, Girls Scout leader, Popcorn Kernel, Cookie Mom. Currently I'm the treasurer for my daughters American Heritage Girls Troop and I volunteer with my DAR organization by indexing names from old documents to help others find names when doing genealogy research. That's the limit of what I'm doing now. But I do miss all my in person stuff with church, or with the MS stuff I used to do. Right now it's just hard to find the time or the places that let you come in person!

 

[Angela Toucan]

I enjoy helping out at the local community luncheon once a week. It's for lonely, vulnerable, and disadvantaged people to come together in a safe place for companionship and share a meal together. I'm a table hostess. I engage the people at my table in conversation and assist anyone needing help, e.g. collecting the meal or drinks for someone with mobility problems. I normally look after the old ladies with dementia.

 

[bonnenuit]

I've done lots of assorted volunteer work over the years especially when my kids were in school.

Currently, I'm a literacy tutor with just one student. We meet weekly.

I'm in my 32nd year as a Girl Scout volunteer. I was a leader of 2 different troops over a total of 24 years that produced 6 Gold Award Girl Scouts. I've been a day camp counselor, service area manager, served on program committees, did council leader training. I'm currently a council delegate and a member of our regional gold award committee. We provide training to girls and leaders, interview Gold Award applicants to make sure they have a well thought-out plan, provide guidance as they work on their plan, and celebrate with them on completion. This is incredibly rewarding!

My major time commitment is with AAUW (American Association of University Women). AAUW's mission is to advance equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. I've held several positions at both the state and local level. I currently serve as the Communications Chair locally. I do the monthly newsletter, maintain our website, do social media, and am also the historian.

 

[Sokee]

I put in my fair share plus then some when my grown children were younger anything that was needed. Home room mom to kids that needed extra reading help to Band mom helping during marching season.

I was in charge of the Funeral committee at church and run the kitchen the day of….. this really was pre-Covid. This was really a headache to be honest. Most people are not interested in helping. Don’t know if they think someone else will do it. But there were a few funerals I was in panic mode but God provided, when guests of the funeral saw there was just a couple of us in the kitchen they offered to help and strapped on aprons.

It is nice to hear others volunteering here! I do believe we are entering an society of me me thinking and not doing these types of things unless your paid. To me this isn’t good!