The Secret to Volunteerism

As part of the WOW-Women on Writing blog tour for Marie Connor, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott, I'm answering a writing prompt about volunteerism. Marie Conor was a woman who found ways to volunteer and make her community a better place. You can learn more about this memoir, read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy HERE. You can also read my review tomorrow.

The Secret to Volunteerism

I've volunteered to do a lot of different things through the years, led to many of them by my children's interests. I have planted trees to re-forest mining land, baked for an endless number of baked sales, manned the door at student basketball games, led Girl Scout troops, written letters to soldiers serving oversees, scoured my house for needed play props, been a senior pen pal, walked dogs in a shelter, volunteered at used book sales, served on a library board, been secretary of the PTA, sang (badly)in the church choir, fried bleenies (badly) at the church picnic, led workshops on writing, been a community library volunteer.

 Too often volunteerism gets hooked into the "when promises". When the children are older...When work slows down...When the weather is nicer...When the holidays are over...When I finish cleaning out the closets. Life always seems to make us too busy for volunteering. And let's face it, showing up to join an already established organization is tough (at least for me), leaving you feeling a bit like an outsider.

That's why I think the secret to volunteerism is a group. I worked in an office where each month there was a community service project. Everything from cleaning litter up on the highway to donating food to a soup kitchen to writing letters to veterans. There was no requirement to do them and no one really knew if you participated or not (aside from in-person activities like litter picking). You just dropped your donation, letter, etc. on the community service table and at the end of the month they were all delivered to the organization. This setup made volunteering so easy. All the hard and boring parts like finding causes and delivery were taken care of, we just had to do the fun parts like purchasing a Toy for Tots or writing a funny letter to a lonely vet. Also, it felt so much BIGGER. When you spend $5 buying food for the soup kitchen it feels like a drop in the bucket. Will a box of pancake mix and three cans of vegetables really make a difference? But when you see eight boxes full of donations, you really feel like you're making a difference - even though you personally still only spent $5.

Having trouble finding the time or motivation to volunteer? Why not start a Volunteer Group that resembles a Book Group. Once a month someone suggests a project, whether it be an actual go somewhere and do something activity, a donation project or a do things individually and then pool all our efforts. People can choose to participate or not depending on their interest and schedule. It can even be organized all online with in-person meeting only as needed. Or, if you want the opportunity to gather with friends, have a monthly meeting at a local coffeeshop or member's home. Volunteering is more fun with a group and a variety of people will ensure that you're always learning about new opportunities to help your community.

Marie Connor, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott

Marie was born a girl. That was only her first mistake, according to her father.

In an era when daughters and wives are not supposed to be concerned with matters outside the home, Marie is determined to prove him wrong. To do this, she must break down barriers placed on women in society, overcome difficulties that befall her, surpass hardships from the Great Depression, and then face an inevitable relocation.

Marie steps into her community and into the hearts of many people to give her time and help with their needs. She wants nothing in return other than her father's acceptance as a worthy woman and yet, she gains much in return, even if it is not her father's praise. This is Marie’s story—of a rise from her girlhood angsts to become a leading lady—and much more.

Find author Elle Mott online at:

Website: https://ellemottauthor.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elle-mott-author

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellemott.author

All Author: https://allauthor.com/author/ellemott

Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ellemott