Your Volunteer Purpose

Your Volunteer Purpose

The purpose of this blog is to stir your purpose in ways that you give of yourself to others.

Volunteering is on the decline.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 25% of the population volunteer.  Up until about 9 or 10 years ago, I was probably in that 25%. That isn’t something I am proud of.   I would write a check for a worthy cause, sponsor an athlete, give to my church, but as I have aged (yes, there are parts of aging that are beautiful), I’ve realized that helping others kindles happiness and volunteering gives me a sense of purpose.    When researchers at the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and measures of happiness in a large group of American adults, they found the more people volunteered, the happier they were.  And who doesn’t want to share those feelings of happiness with others?

Many of you know I am involved with Royal Family Kids Camp and the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, which I am deeply passionate about.   I now have a new volunteer opportunity that I’m quite excited about.  Allow me to share…

A close friend and colleague sent me a link to an organization called the Starfish Project.  www.starfishproject.com. I was immediately curious because the starfish is my company logo and the Story of the Starfish is what my business is all about.   It’s about making a difference one person/leader at a time.  The story is all around me.   It took me about a minute to recognize that I needed to find a way to be a part of this organization.

When I researched the Starfish Project, I learned that it is an organization that restores hope to women escaping human trafficking and exploitation in Asia. Through their Holistic Care Programs, they provide vocational training, healthcare, shelter, counseling, and education grants for women and their children.  These women make beautiful jewelry to support themselves and other women. The Starfish Project has employed over 125 women and has served thousands through their Community Outreach Services.  (And I have a couple of their jewelry pieces… just beautiful!)

My volunteer opportunity is to provide 1:1 coaching to supervisors at the Starfish Project by phone and Skype.  Given that they are in Asia, and the 16-hour time difference, there will be minor challenges, but all doable.   Leadership and supervision is new for many of these female supervisors and I am so excited to utilize what I’ve learned about leadership with these eager women.

I initially asked myself, “Do I have time?”  And very quickly I realized that for these women it is about making time.

I’d love to hear how you share your gifts and talents in helping others?  And if you haven’t ever considered it… might you?

 

 

 

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