Volunteer work

[Bugman]

We have so many caring compassionate people here I'm sure some of you all are involved in some kind of volunteer work.What I'd like to know from anyone who cares to comment is what are you involved in,how much time you devote to it,and the satisfaction you get from helping others less fortunate.

 

[Bohemianne]

We have so many caring compassionate people here I'm sure some of you all are involved in some kind of volunteer work.What I'd like to know from anyone who cares to comment is what are you involved in,how much time you devote to it,and the satisfaction you get from helping others less fortunate.

^ Okay...Since August'07 I was called by an organization to do an art workshop comprised of financially unfortunate (less than 50) students aging up to 18 years old. I turned down the payment offer. I do it every Sunday 2 to 3 hours per session. We even did some informal exhibit a week ago. Very rewarding experience... This is not for the record or merits, just humbly sharing a nice voluntary service.

 

[Bugman]

^ Okay...Since August'07 I was called by an organization to do an art workshop comprised of financially unfortunate (less than 50) students aging up to 18 years old. I turned down the payment offer. I do it every Sunday 2 to 3 hours per session. We even did some informal exhibit a week ago. Very rewarding experience... This is not for the record or merits, just humbly sharing a nice voluntary service.

Exactly what I'm looking for,espically your last sentence.Thats what its all about.When i get settled i want to do something I'm just not sure what so I'm looking for ideas.😀

 

[lk70]

I wasn't going to post until you said you're looking for ideas.

I've volunteered for years and years with animal rescue organizations and shelters. Done everything from fundraising, to phone calls, to fostering animals, to dog training, to cleaning to whatever else.

Now since I work professionally with animal shelters, I work with (human) hospice patients. I have a lot of respect for people who choose hospice. That entails listening to stories and sharing mine, reading out loud, sometimes preparing light meals. I also "specialize" in home bound patients who aren't sick enough for the center yet and who have pets. I help them with simple grooming, medications, vet visits etc.

Seems to me you might like the hospice thing. Most of them just want company. And they have great and entertaining stories.

I also work 8 hours a month in a local natural food co-op. Gets me a discount on my organic groceries and allows them to operate with minimal staff.

 

[Bugman]

Some great ideas Lynn,thanks.😀

 

[Coffee]

I used to deliver food to the homeless in the city twice a week. I really enjoyed doing it for the most part.

 

[chicago]

When I was too young to get a job, I'd volunteer at the local nursing home and read to the elderly. Most of the time they just wanted someone to talk to, and it was really cool too. They had some of the most interesting stories.

Now, I babysit. I get paid for it so it doesn't really count, but I'd do it for free because the kid is fascinating.

 

[ticklishscribe]

I've been volunteering in the fields of Community Economic Development, The Environment, Commercial Fisheries, Heritage and Animal and Wildlife Welfare.

We're starting a Fisheries and Marine Envrionment Education, Interpretation and Research Centre in my community and I am very proud of that.​

We have so many caring compassionate people here I'm sure some of you all are involved in some kind of volunteer work.What I'd like to know from anyone who cares to comment is what are you involved in,how much time you devote to it,and the satisfaction you get from helping others less fortunate.

 

[ChosenofMystra]

I used to be with a few organizations on my college campus that helps gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students connect with others and understand themselves and issues in our community better. I was an advisor in the group that helped those students with coming out issues. Just talking with these people and lending an extra ear where its needed made it worthwhile.

My job severely limits my free time, but I would like to get involved in the group again soon.

 

[Bugman]

Worthy causes all,thanks for the suggestions.😀

 

[Capnmad]

Ever try your hand at acting? Play around in community theater enough and you'll find someplace or other doing a charity show of some sort. If not, suggest one!

I'm in one performing in January to benefit the local Domestic Violence Center.

 

[Helena]

Ever try your hand at acting? Play around in community theater enough and you'll find someplace or other doing a charity show of some sort. If not, suggest one!

I'm in one performing in January to benefit the local Domestic Violence Center.

Getting involved in a group activity for a charity cause is something I really admire. What is the play about?

 

[Bugman]

Ever try your hand at acting? Play around in community theater enough and you'll find someplace or other doing a charity show of some sort. If not, suggest one!

I'm in one performing in January to benefit the local Domestic Violence Center.

Thanks cap but i have the acting ability of your average tree stump LMAO.I'd better el paso on that one.😉

 

[Doubledutch]

I did volunteer work for my church when I was a teenager. It was a very enjoyable experience.

 

[SnowBunny]

Advice for Volunteer Work

I have done a variety of volunteer activities at area nursing homes and hospitals. My fondest experience was being there to assist when needed and seeing how much it was appreciated. If you are looking into doing any volunteer work I would consider a hospital because you get to see so much and be involved. I love to get in all the action and the somewhat gross things that most people hate to see in that type of setting. If you have a heart and want to help someone that is in need, then you will have no problems. I really enjoyed talking to all of the patients and being able to be there for them. I hope that this can enable you to get what you are looking for.

 

[CitY of MicA]

The volunteer work I've done more recently has to do with my particular skill set, so I won't bother to go into it. In the past, I used to work at a soup kitchen. I went once or twice a month. Some of the work involved food prep or cooking, and I did a lot of dish washing. When I served food and cleared tables, I had more interaction with the people that came in to eat. But generally, I stayed in the kitchen. A lot of the people who came were very grateful, so I think it can be a rewarding experience.

 

[Capnmad]

Getting involved in a group activity for a charity cause is something I really admire. What is the play about?

Thanks. 🙂

The play’s written and directed by a local authoress who works with the center. It focuses on a type of abuse known as “crazymaking”, in which the abuser uses various tactics to keep the victim off-balance, unsure, and feeling crazy, chaotic, helpless, and ultimately, responsible for everything that goes wrong -- it’s mostly verbal abuse used to control someone without their knowledge, but can extend beyond just verbal actions.

The writer/director was thorough and offered some resource material for us to get a good grip on what can be an extraordinarily difficult pattern to recognize, especially when you’re in it. From the source material:

Verbal abuse may be overt, such as an angry outburst directed at the partner or an attack along the lines of, “You’re too sensitive.” Or it may be covert, hidden, as in the case of “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” when in fact the abuser does know.

Covert verbal abuse is subversive because of its indirect quality. It is a covert attack or coercion. This kind of abuse has been described as “crazymaking.” It is “a form of interpersonal interaction that results from the repression of intense aggression and which seriously impairs its victim’s capacity to recognize and deal with the interpersonal reality.” (Bach and Goldberg, 1974, p. 251)

It’s basically a control thing -- in one example, “when the abuser refuses to discuss a problem, he prevents all possibility of resolution. In this way, he exercises control over the interpersonal reality.” People involved are often left feeling hurt, sick and without closure. It’s an ugly thing.

The abuser in our story starts to convince the victim (his wife) that she’s losing her mind, and goes to the lengths of taking and hiding belongings of hers to convince her that she’s always losing things, and manufacturing bruises on himself to convince her she’s beating him in her sleep, making her feel guilty and think that he’s just so great for sticking by her and putting up with her.

He sells two stories to two parties -- one to his wife, convincing her that her mom and sister hate her/think she’s crazy and want to have her committed, and another to his wife’s family, that she doesn’t want to talk to them -- that she’s gotten all the letters they’ve mailed her, but doesn’t care, as she feels disowned and isolated by them.

His manufacturing of a way to set them at odds helps begin the separation, but to maintain it, he intercepts the letters from her mother and sister and hides them, to make a communications gap -- because if they actually did talk, it might destroy the fictions he’s created to keep control over the situation and his wife.

When his wife and her mother and sister finally do talk, the first time is rough, full of friction, misunderstanding, and many misgivings -- and it fails. But trying again, and some challenging, some fighting, and some revelations later, mother, sister and wife come to see the big picture, and recognize the real problem.

The committment to communication, of course, is demonstrated as key to resolving matters and getting to the truth, as ignorance and an information vacuum are key weapons in the abuser’s arsenal to keep parties at odds and maintain control.

Myself, I’m just part of the chorus on this one -- representing an archetypal victim verbally abused by his wife. Scheduling around holidays is a pain, but still, it’s a good group of people to hang with and a good cause, so I’m happy. 🙂

Thanks cap but i have the acting ability of your average tree stump LMAO.I'd better el paso on that one.😉

Well, don't sell yourself short, Bug... If you enjoy theater, and you're handy, anyone would still love to have a stagehand, carpenter, tech guy, or any of assorted other crew positions. Ya' never know. But good luck, and I hope you find what you're looking for! 🙂