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Practicing Significance Glorifying God by fulfilling your own unique purposes through the never-ending action of acquiring, using, and sharing diverse resources. |
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Volunteering
“Time is an opportunity container.” Unknown
“There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do.” Freya Stark
“The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them.” George Bernard Shaw
“There are 999 patrons of virtue to every virtuous man.” Gandhi
Introduction
Meeting people’s needs is a cornerstone of nearly every major religion and ethical system. The Bible sums it up with, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This requires two things: first, we have to love ourselves; and second, we have to love our neighbors as ourselves. This requires significant action, not just passive emotion or a token offering. Other Practicing Significance lesson deals with the financial aspects of Family Gifting and Giving to Nonprofit Organizations. This lesson deals with meeting needs through volunteering.
Why Volunteer?
Most people volunteer because they want to spend their efforts to help their communities, causes they believe in, or to meet needs of others. To live significantly includes giving away significant amounts of that which is important to us. For most of us that sacrifice is giving away a significant amount of our time by volunteering. For those of us who are employed and have children that amount might be only a few precious minutes or an hour or two a week. For those of us who are retired that amount might be many hours or even days every week. A life of leisure with a little community service thrown in on the side is not likely to satisfy people who are purpose driven. Giving our time in a sacrificial manner will provide us with a sense of satisfaction and allow us to work toward accomplishing our purposes.
About 24% of American adults age 65 and older participated in volunteer activities in 2003. Although that was the second-lowest participation rate among adult age groups, the average hours devoted (88) was the highest yearly number. Nearly half of their volunteer efforts went to religious organizations.
A common way to try to get people involved in non-profit organizations is to try to make them feel guilty. Rather than take that approach, I want to try another. One of the most common emotional needs among us is the desire to feel needed. Most of us desperately want to feel important, appreciated, and acknowledged. That’s why we fear leaving business. It is easy to delude yourself into believing that at work you are important and indispensable. However, if you find the right non-profit organization to work with, you will feel more important and needed than ever before. By giving of yourself, you will receive the acceptance and importance that is so hard to obtain. Imagine: you are helping a mildly mentally handicapped man to read. Now imagine that you are taking a ten year-old orphan to get ice cream. Now imagine that you are taking an elderly person to a cancer checkup at their doctor. Try to imagine how much they will look forward to your arrival, how they will treasure your attention, how they will want you to come back. They will need you and value you more than any boss you ever worked for.
There are many “selfish” reasons to volunteer including:
· Meet new friends (even potential mates)
· Learn about social issues or a new topic
· Develop new skills and talents to help a current or new career
· Help your current career through improving your skills, networking, and social acclaim
· Enjoyment and satisfaction from making a unique contribution
However, there is a long list of excuses and reasons for not getting personally involved with a non-profit organization. Rather than letting these get in the way, make a list of the actual constraints you have. The list that I made about my current situation is shown in Appendix 1. With this list in mind it was fairly easy to eliminate those causes or volunteer jobs that didn’t allow me to practice significance. However, I was astounded, like you will be, about how many other opportunities remained.
One constraint that many successful businessmen have is the need to “have it my way or no way”, or the need to work 80 hours a week at their passion. When it comes to social concerns, we will find that the rules are noticeably different from the business world. It is necessary to have different expectations for others and for ourselves. Without a change of expectations, we will become frustrated, and decide to do nothing instead of something significant.
Like me, many of you may be accustomed to throwing money at problems. Not haphazardly, but with care and trying to be efficient. In many cases we essentially try to buy our way out of acting directly by doing what my friend Larry Akers calls “renting Christians”. This may be the only way to solve some problems, but ultimately it keeps us from the intimate involvement that is needed. I know one individual who will give away over a billion dollars, yet he is already understanding that he needs to pick at least one place to get personally involved if he is to fulfill his own purposes and have more self-fulfillment.
For almost all of us, finding our passion and purposes will either include or be centered around a non-profit organization. For some it may be several hours a week of volunteer work, for others it may mean helping raise funding, for others it may mean getting involved in management and using executive skills. Hopefully we can find an existing organization to work with so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. But, for some of us it will be tempting to start our own non-profit organization. Any direction that we take will involve difficulties, we may even be reminded of the old cynical saying, “No good deed goes unpunished”. Yet, in the end, it is highly probable that anybody choosing to live a significant life will overcome the difficulties and spend a lot of time and effort with non-profit activity. To help prevent any problems, do your homework prior to volunteering by:
· Understanding the mission of the organization.
· Understanding your own motivation.
· Make sure they have a position that you can fulfill to your satisfaction and the satisfaction of the organization. This will include making sure that you will be sufficiently compatible with any supervisors and other volunteers.
· Understand what will be expected from you and make sure you are happily willing to fulfill the expectations.
Your Unique Resources
Your resources to meet social needs are much more extensive than you can imagine. Until you spend time looking at needs, you can’t imagine how many you can meet. We all have talents, time, ideas, desires, and assets. These assets are not limited to money, but include clothes, food, housing, information and knowledge. One asset that many seniors have is dependability, a commodity in short supply. Some of these assets may not seem like much to you, but they could be incredibly meaningful to someone in need. One of my favorite examples is Dom Odierno. He took early retirement and now annually fills out hundreds of tax returns for mentally handicapped people and others in need.
Where Can I Volunteer?
With very little effort you will find that there are an unending number of ways to volunteer. Appendix 2 shows some ways to approach finding nonprofit organizations in your area. Appendix 3 is a list of some of the local non-profit organizations concerning just the elderly in just the area of Scottsdale, Arizona. Almost any area in the United States would have a comparable list. With a little effort, you can find a non-profit organization that will treasure you. No doubt there are some that may want only your money. You may or may not choose to work closely with those. But there are many more who treasure whatever you can bring. For instance, if you have the ability to read, then just call All Star Kids Tutoring and tutor some kids. If you have the ability to drive or change a light bulb, call VIACAP and provide some desperately needed transportation or repair work for an elderly or incapable person. Appendix 4 shows a very few of the numerous scriptures which show the vital nature of doing good deeds.
It is an imposing task to list even a small number of volunteer opportunities, but the following is a hint:
· Churches
· Local: Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, YMCA, YWCA
· Hobbies
· Government: Police, Firefighters, Political parties, USO
· Neighbors: Women’s shelters, Meals on Wheels, Prisons
· Homeless and hungry
· Disaster relief (also see Appendix 2)
· Medical: Hospitals, Hospices, Red Cross, diseases
· Education: Schools, PTA, tutoring, arts, museums, zoos
· Environmental groups
Conclusion
There is some entity in your community who will treasure you, who will need your volunteer efforts. Most volunteers say that they receive much more than they give. In summary, “there are an infinite number of needs in the world today; I can’t do everything, but I can do something”.
Additional Resources
Barnes & Noble Basics Volunteering. This inexpensive incredible book covers the subject of volunteering in detail. Please get a copy.
See Appendix 2
APPENDIX 1 – PERSONAL “CONSTRAINTS” FOR WORKING WITH NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
The following is a list of constraints that I have currently placed upon myself when choosing with which non-profit organization(s) to invest my time and effort:
· No set daily or weekly schedule. This will allow me to travel and spend time at erratic intervals with my family.
· Be a worker, not management.
· No money raising responsibilities.
· A bare minimum of meetings.
· Take advantage of my personal strengths and avoid personal weaknesses.
· The organization has to be creative in solving problems.
APPENDIX 2 – NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
There are thousands of non-profit organizations already in place. These organizations are trying to meet needs of almost any kind that you can imagine. Some are local, some national, and some international. Some of these organizations seem to want only your money, but many are desperate to have use of any of your time or talent. If you want to get involved, there is absolutely no excuse for not doing so. To get a list of non-profits in your area the following are a few places to try:
· In the phone book under “Social Service Organizations”. For example, in Phoenix, there are a couple of hundred listings under this category. Other categories could be “Hospitals”, “Churches”, or “Government”.
· Internet sites for national organizations
· City Cares 404-875-7334 www.citycares.org
· United Way www.unitedway.org
· www.volunteerconnections.org
· Points of Light Foundation 800-865-8683
· Network for Good www.networkforgood.org
· Catholic Charities 7030549-1390 www.catholiccharitiesusa.org
Organizations specializing in disaster relief include:
American Red Cross local chapter
(918) 831-1100
Action Against Hunger
247 W 37th St., Suite 1201
New York, NY 10018
(212) 967-7800
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC Crisis Fund)
1501 Cherry St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 241-7000
Baptist World Alliance
Asia Tidal Waves
405 N Washington St
Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 790-8980
Catholic Relief Services
PO Box 17090
Baltimore, MD 21203-7090
(800) 736-3467
Doctors Without Borders
PO Box 2247
New York, NY 10116-2247
(888) 392-0392
International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention
World Hunger and Relief Ministries
PO Box 6767
Richmond, VA 23230
(800) 999-3113
Lutheran World Relief
PO Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832
(800) 597-5972
Mercy Corps.
PO Box 2669
Portland, OR 97208
(800) 852-2100
Relief International
11965 Venice Blvd., #405
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(800) 572-3332
United Methodist Committee on Relief
General Board of Global Ministries
The United Methodist Church, Room 330
475 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10115
(800) 554-8583
APPENDIX 3 – NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR SENIORS
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ADULT DAY HEALTH CENTER |
HOUSING |
SUPPORT GROUPS |
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Foundation for Senior Living (FSL) 602-285-1800 |
Adult Foster Care Program (FSL) 602-285-1800 |
AIDS Project AZ (APAZ) 602-253-2437 |
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Senior Help Line (24 Hour) 602-264-4357 |
HUD Housing 602-261-8671 |
Al-Anon 602-249-1257 |
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PACE 602-262-6631 |
Alcoholics Anonymous 602-264-1341 |
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COUNSELING |
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Alzheimer’s 602-528-0550 |
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Jewish Family Services |
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES |
Arthritis 602-264-7679 |
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East of Central 602-257-1904 |
ABIL (800) 280-2245 |
Bereavement 602-280-2899 |
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Eldervention |
Center D.O.A.R. 602-274-5022 |
Cancer 602-224-0524 |
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West of Central 602-264-2255 |
Chicanos Por La Causa 602-257-0700 |
Caregivers (Center D.O.A.R.) 602-274-5022 |
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Native Amer. Senior Center 602-279-5262 ext. 277 |
Information and Referral 602-263-8856 |
Center for the Blind 602-273-7411 |
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Native American Community Health Center |
Diabetes 602-861-4731 |
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602-279-5262 |
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren |
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ELDER ABUSE |
Senior Help Line (24 Hour) 602-264-4357 |
602-274-5022 ext. 14 |
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Adult Protective Services 602-255-0996 |
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Guillain-Barre Syndrome 480-991-3697 |
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AZ Attorney General’s Office 602-542-2124 |
LEGAL SERVICES |
Parkinson’s 602-406-4931 |
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AZ Senior Law Project 602-252-6710 |
Stroke Club 602-252-6061 |
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EMERGENCY |
Community Legal Services 602-258-3434 |
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Medical/Fire/Police 911 |
Elder Law Hotline 800-231-5441 |
TELEPHONE REASSURANCE |
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Lawyer Referral Service 602-257-4434 |
Caring Corps. 480-962-5612 |
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ENERGY |
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PhoneLinc 602-331-5777 |
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PS Energy Support 602-542-6600 |
LIFE SAFETY BUTTONS |
Reassurance Service 602-258-3532 |
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PACE 602-262-6631 |
Community Information & Referral Lifeline |
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S.H.A.R.E. 602-267-4122 |
602-263-8856 |
TRANSPORTATION |
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PACE 602-262-6631 |
Caring Corps. 480-962-5612 |
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EQUIPMENT/MEDICAL SUPPLIES |
Rural Metro Protection Services 480-491-0302 |
Glendale Dial-a-Ride 623-930-3500 |
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Med-i-Loan (Scottsdale) 480-312-7702 |
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Native Amer. Cntr. 602-279-5262 |
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Solecito (Peoria/Goodyear) 623-876-5331 |
LIVE-IN/HOMEMAKER/HOME HEALTH SVS |
Phoenix Dial-a-Ride 602-253-4000 |
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St. Vincent de Paul-Friends of St. Anne 602-261-6896 |
Area Agency on Aging Respite 602-264-4357 |
Phoenix Reserve-a-Ride 602-262-4501 |
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Assistance for Independent Living 480-966-9704 |
East Valley Dial-a-Ride 480-333-0101 |
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FOOD COMMODITIES/BOX |
AZ Long Term Care System 602-417-6200 |
Red Cross – Phoenix 602-336-6660 |
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Care Club 602-242-3663 |
Foundation for Senior Living 602-285-1800 |
TLC Cabs 623-937-2227 |
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Commodities/Emergency Food (I&R) 602-263-8856 |
Friendly House 602-257-1870 |
Valley Metro 602-253-5000 |
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Food Care 602-272-3663 |
Private Pay 602-257-1928 |
VIACaP 602-285-0543 |
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Project BREAD 602-352-3640 |
SAIL (Maricopa County Managed Care System) |
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Westside Food Bank – Senior Gleaners 623-934-5331 |
602-264-4357 |
VISION IMPAIRMENT |
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Or see “Home Health” in Yellow Pages |
Rehab. & Blind Service 602-266-9286 |
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HEARING IMPAIRMENT |
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Sun Sounds 602-231-0500 |
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Valley Center of the Deaf 602-267-1921 |
MEALS DELIVERED TO HOME |
Talking Books 602-255-5578 |
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SAIL 602-264-4357 |
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HOME REPAIR/WEATHERIZATION |
Scottsdale Mobile Meals 480-481-4140 |
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CSA 480-899-8717 |
YWCA Care Meals (Glendale) 623-931-7436 |
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Foundation for Senior Living 602-285-1800 |
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Home Repair Program (Phoenix) 602-495-0700 |
SENIOR CENTERS |
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Seniors Helping Seniors 602-331-3020 |
Information and Referral 602-263-8856 |
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VICaP 602-285-0543 |
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APPENDIX 4 – SCRIPTURES ON GOOD DEEDS
Mat. 5:16 – In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Mat. 9:37, 38 – The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
2 Cor. 9:13-14 – Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
Gal. 6:9, 10 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people …
Eph. 2:10 – For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2 Thes. 3:13 – And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
I Tim. 6:17-19 – Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
James 2:14-16 – What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is that?
James 4:17 – Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.