Volunteering

Current commitments:

Assistant Coach for Charlotte's Basketball Team

Always felt intimidated to actually step up and be the coach, but I am really enjoying it. It's amazing how many ideas flow back into my head when I step onto the court (played in high school). And true to form, I definitely come to win. Thank goodness my partner and head coach is calmer, more soft-spoken, and comes to have fun. We actually make a good team and balance each other out. And the girls are really improving. Today our team won most of the skills (short shots, passing, dribbling, lay-ups) which will serve them well now and in the future. Charlotte is one tough little dribbler and one amazing defender. I've watched her take on some really tough girls and keep the ball from them. I've also watched her 'attack' some girls and get the ball from them without getting a foul. It's so fun to be there with her. I really hope I get to coach again next year.

Labels Lady (PTO) for School

I don't think many people understand all that goes into being the labels lady at school. I know I certainly didn't until I volunteered to do this job for the PTO. Hours and hours are spent trimming General Mills box tops, counting milk lids, and bagging soup labels. Last year there were times when I felt like the whole label thing was a waste of time. But then I started cutting/counting/bagging while I watched a movie or listened to music and somehow being productive during my relaxation time made that time even better. I am realistic, however, and realize that my time doesn't produce a lot of money for our school, but it does make a difference and that's what it's all about - making a difference.

Art Adventures Coordinator

Another PTO project: bringing art education from the Minneapolis Institute of Art to our classrooms. I fell into this job by accident. The woman heading it up last year needed some help so another lady and I volunteered. Unfortunately, last Spring the coordinator asked me to take over because her husband lost his job, meaning they were both looking for some type of employment. The other woman announced in the same meeting she was going through a divorce. What could I say since I had no major life circumstances to deal with. It's good for me to be thrown into things because I doubt I ever would have stepped up on my own. But I'm enjoying this position. I like to manage and this requires a lot of management: recuiting volunteers, getting them to training, making a schedule for presentations, interfacing with the teachers and volunteer coordinator. This is right up my alley and I am enjoying myself. And again, it is making a difference at our school.

I've spent a lot of time "saving" my best for my church. And that is probably appropriate if my church wanted what I was offering. But they don't - at least not right now. How fortunate that these other great opportunities have come along just when I needed them! And the best part . . . no one is going to show up one day and tell me they want me to quit. No, I'm quite sure these organizations will take any time I'm willing to give them. I like that as well - I call it job security :).