I have been thinking about volunteering which is an integral part of our Meeker lifestyle. For good hearted souls, it is natural to sign up for a worthy cause. Our community operates successfully on many fronts due to the donated time and efforts of many folks.
This seems to lead to several segments of volunteers.
Some people sign up to get their name publicized without really doing any work. Being a board or committee member offers bragging rights. Some folks are on the list more for the status than anything else.
Next are the now and then volunteers who help when it is convenient. “Oh, sorry, they say. I am just so busy I can’t help.” They may have had good intentions and then things changed. Perhaps unexpected health issues or family obligations chewed up their energy. Often volunteer activities morph into a huge and unforeseen commitment.
Then there is the unpopular voice who proposes something different. These volunteers get quickly outvoted as change to the way things have always been done is not welcome. These folks rapidly quit.
While every bit of volunteering makes a difference, organizations can’t count on any of these groups to truly get ‘er done.
Finally, are the totally committed volunteers who do far more than their share, shoulder the load, keep activities moving ahead. They are the reliable folks we can always count on whatever it takes.
I’ve often heard that phrase that if you want something done, ask a busy person. That would be the last group who are accustomed to shouldering multiple activities and handling activities all day long, every day. Their loyalty and good will to accomplish things, year after year keeps organizations afloat.
It is no wonder they burn out. We owe them a huge dose of gratitude.
When seeking volunteers, it is helpful to set parameters. Are you requesting once a week or annual or occasional schedules of obligations? Can volunteers perform the job at home on their own time or do they need to show up in person on a specified schedule? Is training required and how long is that?
In Meeker, it is often assumed that if you volunteer once, you’re obligated for life! Let’s rethink that mantra and be thoughtful that past involvement doesn’t guarantee future obligations. Ask, don’t assume.
Many of us agree to volunteer without realizing what that really means in terms of time and commitment. Good intentions get lost without sufficient definition of the tasks ahead. An old-fashioned job description of tasks and responsibilities could help clarify volunteer parameters.
Finally, go overboard expressing thanks to volunteers. It isn’t a job. There isn’t a contract. No one signed on the dotted line. So, please say thanks, privately with notes, emails, and simple gifts plus publicly to share with others all the wondrous donations of time and talents that volunteers have made.
Thank you volunteers. We need all of you and appreciate all your hard work.
By KAYE SULLIVAN – Special to the Herald Times
