Comments on: A Tale of Two Volunteers http://caffeineandaprayer.com/2010/05/22/taleoftwovolunteers/ Because that's the only way Mom knows to get through the day. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:33:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Making A Difference In Our Own Ways | Using Our Words http://caffeineandaprayer.com/2010/05/22/taleoftwovolunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-5475 Making A Difference In Our Own Ways | Using Our Words Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:30:55 +0000 http://caffeineandaprayer.com/?p=1414#comment-5475 [...] for me, I couldn’t help but relate to JavaMom who said that she falls into both categories: super-volunteers and slacker moms. Just like her, if [...] [...] for me, I couldn’t help but relate to JavaMom who said that she falls into both categories: super-volunteers and slacker moms. Just like her, if [...]

]]> By: kim/hormone-colored days http://caffeineandaprayer.com/2010/05/22/taleoftwovolunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-4091 kim/hormone-colored days Fri, 25 Jun 2010 01:02:27 +0000 http://caffeineandaprayer.com/?p=1414#comment-4091 Okay, I'm a month late getting to this, but I'm glad I saved the link because this is a great post. Love this line: Life is too short to feel miserable during your volunteer time. We need to find volunteer experiences that has something (deep, meaning, warm fuzzies, or chances to learn and grow, for example) in it for us. See you in a few weeks? Okay, I’m a month late getting to this, but I’m glad I saved the link because this is a great post. Love this line: Life is too short to feel miserable during your volunteer time.

We need to find volunteer experiences that has something (deep, meaning, warm fuzzies, or chances to learn and grow, for example) in it for us.

See you in a few weeks?

]]> By: Making A Difference In Our Own Ways « www.YodelingMamas.com http://caffeineandaprayer.com/2010/05/22/taleoftwovolunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-4024 Making A Difference In Our Own Ways « www.YodelingMamas.com Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:06:51 +0000 http://caffeineandaprayer.com/?p=1414#comment-4024 [...] for me, I couldn’t help but relate to JavaMom who said that she falls into both categories: super-volunteers and slacker moms. Just like her, if [...] [...] for me, I couldn’t help but relate to JavaMom who said that she falls into both categories: super-volunteers and slacker moms. Just like her, if [...]

]]> By: April http://caffeineandaprayer.com/2010/05/22/taleoftwovolunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-3988 April Wed, 26 May 2010 00:40:33 +0000 http://caffeineandaprayer.com/?p=1414#comment-3988 This is an extremely important post and I'm so glad you re-posted it so that I didn't miss it! The assumption that parents don't volunteer because we're apathetic is completely dismissive of some of the other issues that might lie underneath. I have been there, done that, when it comes to offering suggestions that are completely unwelcome because they're (gasp) new. And sometimes, yes, a newcomer might offer something, not knowing that it's been tried in the past, but if that's stated with at least appreciation for the effort, then I'm more inclined to try again. I'm more inclined now to find out how long someone's been volunteering. If there a lot of "old-timers," that reflects well for the organization. This is an extremely important post and I’m so glad you re-posted it so that I didn’t miss it! The assumption that parents don’t volunteer because we’re apathetic is completely dismissive of some of the other issues that might lie underneath. I have been there, done that, when it comes to offering suggestions that are completely unwelcome because they’re (gasp) new. And sometimes, yes, a newcomer might offer something, not knowing that it’s been tried in the past, but if that’s stated with at least appreciation for the effort, then I’m more inclined to try again. I’m more inclined now to find out how long someone’s been volunteering. If there a lot of “old-timers,” that reflects well for the organization.

]]> By: Amy http://caffeineandaprayer.com/2010/05/22/taleoftwovolunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-3979 Amy Mon, 24 May 2010 17:41:35 +0000 http://caffeineandaprayer.com/?p=1414#comment-3979 You make such a great point and it's an important lesson for organizations to learn. I'm part of a group that corners volunteers rather than encourages volunteers. If you open your mouth with an idea or constructive criticism, it's assumed you're stepping up and taking on a task, though nobody appreciates it. I'm trying to learn to keep my mouth shut, but it's a real shame because I would like to be involved if the environment were more positive. I'm spending my time and energy elsewhere too. I'm glad you've found such positive places to be involved and that you know where to draw the line. You make such a great point and it’s an important lesson for organizations to learn. I’m part of a group that corners volunteers rather than encourages volunteers. If you open your mouth with an idea or constructive criticism, it’s assumed you’re stepping up and taking on a task, though nobody appreciates it. I’m trying to learn to keep my mouth shut, but it’s a real shame because I would like to be involved if the environment were more positive. I’m spending my time and energy elsewhere too. I’m glad you’ve found such positive places to be involved and that you know where to draw the line.

]]> By: Kimberly/Mom in the City http://caffeineandaprayer.com/2010/05/22/taleoftwovolunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-3977 Kimberly/Mom in the City Mon, 24 May 2010 01:07:54 +0000 http://caffeineandaprayer.com/?p=1414#comment-3977 It IS great when our skills are valued...especially when we're offering them on a volunteer basis/for free. It IS great when our skills are valued…especially when we’re offering them on a volunteer basis/for free.

]]> By: Donna http://caffeineandaprayer.com/2010/05/22/taleoftwovolunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-3976 Donna Sat, 22 May 2010 21:54:06 +0000 http://caffeineandaprayer.com/?p=1414#comment-3976 Your tale of the tech-adverse organization reminds me of my first experience with PTA, many years ago. In those pre-Facebook days, most of the other moms I met really did not use computers much or even had email addresses -- and so they did not see the benefit of using email to communicate, or even of creating a nice website. As I couldn't explain all of this to people who had NO CLUE, I ended up just doing it. Eventually, they all got it -- and they appreciated it. Of course, all of those women now are HUGE on Facebook. I guess it's hard to be ahead of your time :) Your tale of the tech-adverse organization reminds me of my first experience with PTA, many years ago. In those pre-Facebook days, most of the other moms I met really did not use computers much or even had email addresses — and so they did not see the benefit of using email to communicate, or even of creating a nice website. As I couldn’t explain all of this to people who had NO CLUE, I ended up just doing it. Eventually, they all got it — and they appreciated it. Of course, all of those women now are HUGE on Facebook. I guess it’s hard to be ahead of your time :)

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